A good walk is a great way to bond with your dog and get some exercise. Unfortunately, walks aren’t nearly as fun when your dog tries to walk you.
Dogs pull on their leash because they have places they want to go, and you’re not going quite fast enough for them. Fortunately, there are ways you can train a dog to walk beside you. We’ve pulled together some helpful training tips so your dog can walk on a leash with confidence.
Why Proper Leash Training Matters
Teaching your dog to walk on a leash isn’t just about having a more enjoyable stroll – it’s about safety, too. When a dog pulls uncontrollably, it can lead to accidents, injuries, or dangerous encounters with traffic, other dogs, or even people. A well-trained dog is less likely to lunge at distractions or get tangled in their leash.
Leash training also builds confidence. Dogs who learn to walk calmly beside you are less anxious and more in tune with your commands, making every outing smoother. Plus, there’s nothing fun about being pulled down the sidewalk like you’re holding onto a runaway kite! A little training now means years of stress-free, tail-wagging adventures ahead!
6 Steps to Teach Your Dog How to Walk Beside You
Step 1: Start small
To start, you’ll need to find a good training space inside your home. A four-foot-by-four-foot area in your living room, bedroom, or any other clear space is perfect. Stay away from open windows and put away any toys to make sure your dog isn’t distracted from their training session.
Once you’re in your space, you only need a few things to start training. First, make sure your dog is on a leash and on your left side. Second, have a few tasty Bil-Jac treats ready to reinforce good habits.
Step 2: Turn before you walk
Before you and your buddy go walking, you will need to practice turning. There are a few steps to this process:
- Say the word “heel” one time to start.
- Walking to your left to make a tight circle around your dog, a quarter of a circle at a time.
- As you walk, gently pull your dog back with the leash to make sure they stay at your side.
- Once a full circle is completed, stop and give your dog a treat while their head is next to your leg.
- Repeat the entire process again.
It may feel a bit funny to do circles around your dog, but you’ll want to keep going. Do another revolution with your pup and give them another treat after a successful circle. What you’re trying to show your dog is that you know the way, so it’s best to follow your lead.
After your dog shows that they are comfortable with left-hand turns, it’s time to move to the right. Pivot on your right foot and use a treat to guide the dog in a small circle around you, stopping at 90-degree intervals. Once you complete the circle, make sure your dog is at your side and give them a treat.
In general, it’s best to keep training sessions short. Three-minute sessions and a few treats will help your best friend stay interested and excited for the next time you train. Don’t be worried if it takes a few days for your dog to get the hang of things – eventually, your pooch will start turning with you without treats.
Step 3: Figure eights
Once your dog is comfortable with turning, it’s time to add some figure eights into the mix. For this, you’ll do half a circle of a left turn followed by half a circle of a right turn. This process will test your dog’s ability to change direction and get them used to staying by your side no matter the direction.
When you and your dog complete both half-circles, give your dog a treat. As with turns, give your dog some time to get used to this new pattern and move on to the next step once they get the hang of things.
Step 4: Short walk and turn
Now that your dog is a turning pro, it’s time to move forward – literally.
- Have your dog on your left side and take a couple of steps forward.
- After a few steps, say “heel” and go into a 90-degree left turn.
- Once you complete the turn with your dog beside you, take a couple more steps forward and use treats to guide them to the right.
- Once you’re done, reward your pup with a treat and a “good job!”
Keep following this pattern over multiple short sessions, making sure that your dog stays next to your left side. Over time, you can take more steps in between each turn and your dog can graduate to an exciting new training location – your front yard.
Step 5: Practice walking outside
While you and your dog are ready to practice outside, it’s not quite time for a regular walk. There are many potential distractions outside of your home, so practice the figure eights, walking a few steps, and turning in your front yard before it’s time to hit the sidewalk.
Why? Dogs often get excited once they hit that sidewalk. What you don’t want to do is go through all this training in the house and the front yard and have your dog think that you’re just going to take a walk.
Instead, take a couple of days to train in your front yard or driveway before you move to the sidewalk. When you do, limit your steps on the sidewalk to five to 10 feet leading away from your house before turning back and repeating the pattern. Stretching out training like this will give your dog some sort of structure so that they realize they should walk beside you instead of pulling.
Step 6: The big walk
When you’re ready to venture beyond 10 feet of sidewalk, it’s time to take your dog for their first post-training walk. Make sure you have your dog on your left side, just like you did during training. Hold the end of the leash with your right hand and have your left hand about 12 to 18 inches away from your dog’s collar.
It’s also very important to make sure that you keep some slack in the leash. You never want there to be tension because tension tends to cue dogs to pull. If you keep some slack, you’ll let your dog think and learn on their own.
During this process, you’ll need to stay aware of your surroundings and that your dog focuses on the lesson at hand. If you see another dog coming toward you, go to the other side of the street or find a place where you can step back and give your dog some space. A little anticipation will make sure your dog focuses on your walk and not on distractions.
Finally, there are times when your dog will need to go to the bathroom and pull in front for a bit. That’s completely fine. Once your dog has gone to the bathroom and you’ve cleaned up after them, give the heel command so that they know they need to go back to your side.
FAQ: Leash Training Your Dog
Q: How long does it take to leash train a dog?
A: Every dog learns at their own pace, but most can grasp basic leash training in a few weeks with consistent practice and positive reinforcement.
Q: What is the best leash for training a dog to walk?
A: A standard 4 to 6-foot leash with a comfortable handle works best. Avoid retractable leashes during training, as they can encourage pulling.
Q: What age should I start leash training my puppy?
A: You can start leash training as early as 8 weeks old. Puppies learn quickly, and starting young helps them build good walking habits early on.
Q: Can an older dog be trained to walk on a leash?
A: Absolutely! Older dogs may take longer to adjust, but with patience and positive reinforcement, they can learn proper leash manners.
Q: What do I do if my dog is scared of the leash?
A: If your dog is scared of the leash, take it slow and focus on building positive associations. Let them sniff and see the leash before putting it on, rewarding curiosity with treats and praise. Start indoors, allowing them to wear the leash without walking, and introduce movement in a familiar, low-stress environment.
If they resist, try a lighter leash or a well-fitted harness for comfort. Use a calm, encouraging tone and short training sessions to keep things stress-free. Avoid forcing them forward – coax them with treats and patience instead. Over time, gradual exposure and positive reinforcement will help them feel more confident on the leash
Take Leash Training one Walk at a Time
Whether you just adopted a new puppy or need to retrain a pull-happy dog, it can take time for your furry friend to walk right by your side. However, that doesn’t mean that teaching your dog must feel like a chore.
Leash training can be both a fun bonding experience and a serious training experience. If you stay diligent and make sure your dog is still excited to learn, the two of you will be able to walk side-by-side in no time.
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