Loose Leash Walking

"Dogs do what works!"

Dogs that pull on a leash when walking and continue to move forward, are being rewarded for that exact behavior.  In order to teach, or re-teach your dog not to pull forward on the leash, you must make it rewarding for your dog to leave slack in the leash (no pressure on their neck.)

Give your dog a cue, such as 'let's go', or 'ready?' and start walking.  As long as your dog walks without pulling, the walk continues.  The MOMENT the dog pulls the slack out of the leash, the walk STOPS.  Wait a few seconds for your dog to give some slack to the leash and then resume walking.  

    Common Problems: 

•     The dog does not allow the leash to go slack when your stop.  Wait for several seconds, before trying to get their attention.

•     The dog does not pay attention to you when you try to gain their attention/or they refuse to allow slack in the leash when         attempt to gain their attention.  Turn and walk in the opposite direction - they pull, you turn and walk away, they pull to the right, you move to the left, etc. 

•     " I really need to GO somewhere!!"  How will you handle this???

Penalty Yards - an exercise to discourage pulling

This can be done with another person or a favorite toy, 

Toss the toy a few yards ahead of you, or ask the second person to walk 20 yards ahead.  Start walking towards the object or person. As long as the leash is slack, you may continue walking.  Once the slack is removed, you much STOP and back up a few feet until the dog turns and looks at you.  Get the leash loose and start the approach again. 

Success ensures LEARNING!

Your dog MUST become successful in order for him to learn to walk on a loose leash.  If you are only correcting without success - STOP and reevaluate the situation. 

•     Use a less tempting object at first

•     Walk a lesser distance

•     Give an extra foot or two of leash at the end of the "walk" towards the object.  The leash must be give BEFORE your dog pulls not once there is no longer slack in the leash. 

•     Once they are being successful with some "learning assistance" then you can raise the bar and expect him to do it without less distance or desirable targets.