How to Leash Train a Dog

Taking your dog for a walk is one of the pleasures of owning a four-legged friend. Be sure you know how to properly use your puppy's leash before suiting up Fido for a long stroll around the neighborhood.
Leash Training Tips
1. Be sure your dog's collar is neither too loose nor too tight.
  - Try using a harness for a smaller dog or a 'no pull' harness for a dog that is less sensitive to neck pressure.
2. At first, simply try having your dog walk around with a leash attached to his collar—without your holding it or pulling it.
3. Start slowly. It will take a little time for your dog's paws to toughen up and for him to get used to a longer walk.
4. Prepare for outdoor conditions: in the winter, your dog may need a sweater or jacket. And if you're headed on a walk in hot weather, bring water.

Categories

Pets | Dogs | How Tos

Introduction
- Leash training your new puppy or adopted older dog is a crucial skill that will allow you to take walks with your dog during which you are in control. Walks are critical to your pet's health, potentially extending their life span and wearing them out enough that they are less likely to make a meal of your new loafers. Not only that, but a leash can save your dog's life, preventing her from jumping out into the street or jumping on strangers who may not react kindly to an exuberant Weimaraner. And don't forget walks with your dog are good exercise for you, too. So take the time to leash train your pet, teaching her how to walk at your pace and learning to remain calm despite that tempting squirrel up ahead.
Step 1: Getting Started
- Just as you wouldn't go out running for the first time without a pair of sneakers and some kind of training plan, your dog needs a few key items for a good walk.
Key Equipment
1. Before any walking can take place, you'll need:
  - A buckle-style dog collar
    A flat leash made from leather, nylon, or metal OR
    A retractable leash, which allows pets to go up to 20 feet away from you on a retractable cord. Remember, this leash gives your dog the freedom to run but may not be the best leash for initial training
    A choke collar if you anticipate having difficulty controlling your dog. If possible, try a no-pull harness or head halter lead to help you gain control of your dog before employing more corrective tools. Please consult a certified dog trainer and ensure that you understand and practice the proper technique for any training method or tool, before you use it on a dog - especially when using corrective tools like check or choke collars. If you dog has additional behavioral issues (like aggression or fear based behaviors that make her hard to control when walking or in other situations), consult a certified dog trainer to assist you.
2. Find collars and leashes at your local PETCO, PetSmart, or pet supply store, or online at Amazon.com.
3. Make sure your dog's collar isn't so loose that he will slip out of it. But you don't want it so tight that he's uncomfortable and will think it is a punishment.
4. You might try a "martingale" style collar, which tightens as your dog pulls against it.
5. Smaller dogs may do better with harnesses that won't accidentally cause neck injury.
6. Make sure that your leash is in good condition, not fraying or splitting.
7. If you like to walk when it's dark outside, have your dog wear a reflective vest.
8. You'll also need additional gear for walks in cold temperatures. Small dogs may need sweaters or jackets, and be sure to wash dog's paws in warm water upon your return to eliminate hazards of salting or antifreeze if there's snow on the ground.
Step 2: Time to Head Outside
- Once your dog's accustomed to wearing his leash, it's time to practice outdoors.
1. When heading outside for the first time, don't forget to keep temperature in mind. If it's very hot out, limit walks to a very short jaunt, and avoid concrete or blacktop that tends to get extremely hot for paws to walk on (think about how it feels barefoot!).
2. On your first time outside, let your dog walk around with the leash attached but without holding it.
  - Obviously you'll want to be in a fenced or enclosed area for this!
3. Then, start to hold the leash in your right hand, while keeping your dog on your left side by holding a treat in your left hand.
4. Reward your dog for walking even a little ways by giving him the treat.
Step 3: Setting the Pace
- You're ready to go for your first walks with your dog; take it slow in the beginning and realize that it may take time to establish the right pace.
1. Decide who will walk the dog in the beginning—though children may want to hold the leash and be in charge, if your child cannot control your dog on a walk, make sure an adult is in control until the dog knows how to walk on a leash.
2. Start slowly, increasing the distance of your walks a little each time.
3. At first, a daily 10-15 minute walk is the way to build up endurance.
4. Remember that dogs get sore, too, and they'll need time for the pads on their paws to grow calluses that will let them walk for longer distances and on varied surfaces.
5. Once you start walking, consistently reward your dog with treats for walking at the same pace as you. Give her a treat as often as "every few seconds" and let your dog know that you have treats in one hand by showing them to her and keeping them fairly close to her mouth as you walk.
6. As your dog becomes more comfortable walking, you can keep your hand closer to your body or in a pocket and give your dog treats less and less often, as long as she is keeping pace and not pulling ahead.
7. Remember that taking your dog out for a few minutes to "use the facilities" doesn't really count as a walk and won't provide you enough time for real training. Build time into your schedule to exercise your dog on walks that you'll both enjoy and during which you can work on leash skills.
Step 4: Additional Training
- Once you and Fido have a regular walking routine, you may wish to focus on the finer points of setting pace and walking efficiently. Note it can take weeks or months to train your dog to keep pace with you, so it's crucial to remain patient.
If Your Dog Refuses to Walk
- Some dogs are either shy or otherwise not keen on walking. You'll need to convince your dog that walks are fun by using treats and building his confidence.
1. If your dog is afraid of walking, whether due to interaction with other people or with dogs, be sure to build up his comfort zone by spending more time outside, going for very short walks to build confidence, and using treats to enforce good behavior.
2. Keep treats in hand close enough to your dog's mouth that she can see them, using the treats like a carrot to magically pull him along and walk with you.
3. You can also try stopping yourself when your dog sits or freezes in place. If he takes even one step toward you voluntarily, reward him with a treat. This way he will start to think walking is his idea.
4. Small dogs who wear harnesses instead of collars can be "pulled along" by you for a brief period to get them walking again if they've stopped for no obvious reason mid-walk. A literal pick-me-up can sometimes do the trick!
5. Fearful dogs may be more likely to walk consistently on less busy roads or otherwise more quiet areas. You might also try asking your dog to sit or perform another command he enjoys when he stops walking, which may make distract him from why he stopped walking in the first place.
Additional Troubleshooting
- Guiding your dog on a leash isn't always the "walk in the park" it's cracked up to be. Be patient, and eventually you and your pup will be cruising.
1. Be sure you are consistently monitoring your dog for signs that he's tired or injured—either of which may be slowing him down.
2. Also, if it's extremely hot or cold, you probably want to stay indoors as much as you can. These are not the temperatures to take your dog on a hike or long walk.
3. And if your dog truly doesn't seem like the walking type, keep trying with very short walks and don't fret—there are other forms of exercise in the meantime, like playing fetch, swimming, or running loose in a fenced-in yard or park.
Conclusion
- Walking regularly with your dog is a great source of exercise for him and for you. If you build up to running with your four-legged friends, you'll be burning even more calories, and your pup will be quite sleepy upon your return. Whether you plan to go on short walks with your dog or extended hikes, be sure to think carefully about weather, temperature, and whether you have enough water. Keep your dog on leash in public places and until you know how he'll react to other dogs, children, and small animals, keep that leash firmly in hand.
Resources

Leash Training Tips

Categories

Introduction

Step 1: Getting Started

Key Equipment

Step 2: Time to Head Outside

Step 3: Setting the Pace

Step 4: Additional Training

If Your Dog Refuses to Walk

Additional Troubleshooting

Conclusion

Resources