How to teach a dog to walk on a leash? A practical guide for dog owners

Walking your dog can be a fun way to spend time, but if your dog pulls on the leash and doesn’t listen to commands, it can become a nightmare. Learning to walk on a leash is a basic skill that every dog should master. In this article, we will give you tips on how to effectively teach your dog to walk on a leash.

How to teach a dog to walk on a leash? Practical tips

Choose the right leas

Choosing the right leash is essential. When choosing a leash, you should pay attention to its length, thickness and material. The leash should be long enough so that your dog has freedom of movement, but not too long so that you can maintain control over it. The thickness of the leash should be matched to the size of your dog. The material of the leash also matters – the best leashes are made of nylon or leather.

Practice at home

Before heading out for a walk, it’s a good idea to practice with your dog at home. We start by clipping the leash to the dog’s collar and letting him get used to the weight and resistance of the leash. Later, we start walking the dog around the house, rewarding it for maintaining the correct position and responding to commands.

Teach the commands

The most important commands your dog should learn are “to me,” “stop” and “by the leg.” The command “to me” is a signal that the dog should change direction and come to the owner. The command “stop” means that the dog should stop. The command “at the leg” is a signal that the dog should come and hold position at the owner’s leg.

Record yourself

Recording your walk with your dog can help you identify problems and better understand your dog’s off-leash behavior. By recording your walk, you can see when your dog starts pulling on the leash and how it responds to your commands.

In addition to the tips above, there are a few other things to keep in mind that can make teaching your dog to walk on a leash easier.

Use rewards

Rewarding your dog for correct behavior is a key element in the learning process. You can reward your dog with a treat or simply with words of appreciation. It is important that the reward be immediate and consistent.

Learn with your dog

Walking on a leash is not only a learning experience for the dog, but also for the owner. It’s worth learning to recognize your dog’s behavior and react to it in an appropriate way. Don’t forget that teaching your dog is a process that takes time and patience.

Avoid punishment

Punishing a dog for undesirable behavior is not an effective way to teach a dog. It can only worsen the relationship between you and your dog and discourage him from learning. Instead of punishment, it is better to focus on rewarding correct behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should the leash be?

The leash should be long enough so that your dog has freedom of movement, but not too long so that you can maintain control over it. The length of the leash depends on the size of your dog and where you are walking. In the park you can use a longer leash, while on a crowded sidewalk it is better to use a shorter one.

What to do if your dog pulls on the leash?

If your dog pulls on the leash, it’s a good idea to use a reward technique for correct behavior. Reward your dog for walking beside you without pulling on the leash. You can also try to change the direction of movement when your dog starts pulling. However, remember not to pull the dog by the leash.

How often should I practice walking on a leash?

Learning to walk on a leash is a process that takes time and patience. It’s a good idea to practice with your dog every day, but no more than 10-15 minutes at a time. Remember to be patient and don’t force your dog to learn when it doesn’t feel like it.