How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash

If you're wondering how to train a dog to walk on a leash there are a few simple tips you need to know before you start. Remember that pulling on the leash is a completely normal dog behavior and is related to his desire to explore the world around him.

When training your dog to walk on a leash, walking a dog is one of the very first skills you will have to get under your belt is training your dog obedience. Have your dog walk beside you, not pulling you around the block. When you are walking with your dog on the sidewalk, you want them to walk on the street side of the sidewalk, giving them less of a distraction and allowing them to focus on the new task at hand. Give them the command to go and then continue walking and they will quickly learn that you are the boss when walking. And will give them and understanding that you are the boss at home as well. If you expect your dog to control their self while walking on leash, you must also expect them to control their self before you go for a walk.

With a proper collar and leash start walking with your dog along a fence or in a yard. Start to train your dog to walk on a leash so they get use to being between you and the barrier without deflection. Your dog may try to pull forward, if this happens then pull them back saying "here". Most commonly you will want to offer a treat when your dog shows appropriate behavior, early on this will work for a desired reaction. If your dog looks up at you in the expectation of more treats, give them keep walking and give positive praise. Put the hand with the in front of their nose and continue to walk. After about a week of day after day practice, stop offering them the treat, instead just hold your empty hand in a normal position at your waist and continue to reinforce proper behavior with positive praise.

The key here is to remember not to allow your dog to pull at the leash while walking. Many dog owners have leash-pulling problems, and many dog owners think it is hard to fix the problem, even impossible to have a well-behaved walking buddy. It has been said that there are no bad dogs, just bad owners that is the furthest thing from the truth. There are neither bad dog, nor bad owners; there are just a communication breakdown between owner and pet.