How to Teach A Dog Loose Leash Walking

Dogs that pull on the leash are difficult to walk. Less walking means reduced exercise for both dog and owner, as well as fewer socialization opportunities for your pet. If you have a large, strong breed of dog, leash pulling precludes smaller, weaker family members from dog walking duty. Teach your dog to walk beside you on a loose leash for a safer, more enjoyable strolling experience.

Instructions

    • 1

      Understand why your dog pulls. If a pull from him on the leash has ever, even once, caused you to move and follow him, that is why he pulls now. He continues to pull because it gets you moving in the direction he wants to go. Pulling works for him, and creates a desired outcome.

    • 2

      Change the outcome of the dog's behavior. Simply refuse to go where he wants, when he engages in the pulling behavior. As soon as he starts to pull, stop walking. Grab his collar and pull him towards your leg. Then turn with him in a full circle in the opposite direction. Once you have turned him a full 360 degrees on the spot, so you are facing the direction you started -- the direction he wants to go -- drop the leash and let it hang beside him.

    • 3

      Reward the behavior you want to see. If your dog remains standing when you let the leash drop loose beside him, start to walk in the direction that interests him.

      If he jumps forward and starts to pull, take him by the collar again and repeat the 360 degree turn on the spot. Each time you let the leash go loose and he starts to pull, turn him around again. Each time he stands and waits with a loose leash, proceed with walking.

    • 4

      Be consistent: answer every single pull with a stop and turn. Don't let anything slide. If you are in a hurry and don't have time to stop and turn with every pull, shorten the length of your walk to allow for time. Apply this technique every single time -- to ensure that your dog gets the message and complies.