Walking a dog is one of life’s pleasures and although my dogs and I look forward to our daily excursions, I am well aware that many people do not feel the same way. I have worked with countless dogs over the years who pull on the leash, bark at people, lunge at other dogs, and generally make walking a chaotic and unpleasant experience. But with a little work and a lot of understanding, walks can become enjoyable again for both ends of the leash. Here are some ways to make walking your dog a walk in the park.
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Stop pull
The #1 complaint I get from dog lovers is that their dogs are pulling and they don’t know how to get them to stop. Before teaching a dog the loose leash walking technique, I fit him with an anti-pull harness, which takes the strain off a dog’s delicate neck and instantly makes dogs and people happier. A double-ended leash attaches to the back of the harness at shoulder level and chest level. When the dog pulls forward, its body gently turns. This makes walking much easier and eliminates the damage that pulling can cause when the leash is attached to a collar.
Once the dog and handler are comfortable with the harness, I work on their walking technique, because like everything else, walking well on a leash is a skill that takes a lot of practice to work well. You can teach your dog not to pull by teaching him the Let’s Go signal. without pulling on the leash. When your dog follows you and the leash is loose, tell him, “Good boy”, turn around and continue on your way.
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Attract and keep attention
Once your dog listens to you more, you can get him to pay attention to you by being unpredictable yourself. This means your dog never knows what you are going to do next. Are you going to turn left or right? Will you suddenly turn in circles? Let your dog guess so he doesn’t forget that you are also part of the walk.
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Changing Perception
Leash reactivity is a common behavior problem as some dogs feel restrained, frustrated, and uncomfortable when on a leash, especially in a social situation. Help your dog feel less restless by pulling out his favorite toy when a person or dog he reacts to appears. For example, when your dog sees another dog in the distance and is curious but not yet uncomfortable, get out his favorite toy or some high-value food and play with him or feed him. Doing various fun activities around other dogs helps change how a dog perceives the presence of another dog.
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To feel safe
Dogs that rush on a leash sometimes need a security blanket when walking. It acts a bit like a pacifier. These dogs find it very comforting to carry something they like in their mouth for all or part of the walk, keeping them relaxed in the environment. A beloved toy might be all you need to help your dog relax.
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Have fun
Play a game with your dog while you walk, like Go Find It. Throw a piece of food on the floor and encourage your dog to fetch it. Once it locates and eats it, throw another piece on the ground. This game encourages your dog to use his nose to search for food, stimulates his search system, and increases dopamine levels in his brain, making him feel good about what he’s doing.
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Stay calm
Keep your walk comfortable and enjoyable by bringing plenty of water if it’s hot. Touch the ground with your hand to see if it’s hot or cold and be aware of your dog’s body language in different environments. He will tell you how he feels.
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keep calm
Do not take your dog to a dog park if he is nervous around other dogs. Dog parks are good for social butterflies but not for introverts.
Walking doesn’t have to be a chore, but walking well on a leash is a skill you and your dog need to master. If there are places where you can walk your dog off-leash, make sure the area is safe and you have a really reliable reminder, so your dog will come back to you even when there’s a lot of traffic. distractions. Not everyone likes dogs and some people are afraid of them, so be alert and empathetic.
And if your dogs are like mine, sniffing is more important to them than walking long distances, so you can share the walk by letting your dog take the time to sniff and then encouraging him to walk alongside you. Walking is like a dance. While you’re learning the steps, you can step on each other’s toes, but when you both know the steps, it becomes a fun thing to do.
Recommended:
Positively Double Connection Training Leash; $9.99 and Positively No-Pull Harness; $32.99 – $36.99. positively.com
