Whether you just brought home a tiny, fluffy bundle of puppy joy or recently found your perfect grown-up canine match at the local shelter, your relationship with your dog will involve a great deal of time and effort. You'll need to be dedicated to teaching your furry friend a life's worth of important lessons and skills. Dogs aren't born with the ability to comprehend human words and they certainly don't come equipped with the capacity to behave extremely well, for instance, it can be challenging to teach them to walk nicely on a leash.
Walking on a leash is something every dog should know how to do, though. Not only does leash training a dog allow him or her to journey about with you in many fun places (and sometimes to necessary stops, such as the vet), but it also keeps your pup safe (and protects other dogs and people, too). It doesn't matter if you live in the city or enjoy the quiet country life, your dog should always be on a leash when you go for a walk or visit anywhere in public.
Teaching a dog to walk on a leash by your side takes time, but with patience and positive reinforcement, you and your best little pal will be enjoying daily walks together soon.
7 Steps to Teaching Your Dog to Enjoy Walking on Leash
The following are seven steps you can take to train your dog to walk on a leash.
1. Teach a Marker
A marker (or bridging stimulus) is a sound or hand signal that pinpoints the exact moment your dog did something that earned a reinforcer (a treat). A clicker is a great example of a marker (and a conditioned reinforcer). If you don't have a clicker, you can use a consistent word like "yes" or "good," or a hand signal like a thumbs up. But pick one marker and stick to it. Mark the good behavior the second you see it. The more accurate and quick your mark is, the more effective your teaching becomes.
2. Build a Positive Association
Before he goes off on an outdoor adventure with you, your dog needs to feel comfortable and enjoy wearing walking equipment, including his collar, leash, and possibly a body harness. Be sure you're in a quiet, non-distracting area of your home like your living room when you put your dog's walking equipment on. Start by giving your pup time to get used to wearing each item. Put his collar on while he plays in the house or goes outside to potty, and each time you put it on, mark and reinforce the good behavior by giving your dog a treat. Attach the leash to your dog's collar for short moments throughout the day, being sure to mark and treat him as he moves a few steps while wearing it. If you plan to use a body harness, introduce it slowly, providing treats and praise as you place it over his head and connect the straps.
3. Teach Your Dog to Give Attention
It may seem like you should just start walking with your dog, but before you move, you need to make sure he's paying attention. Otherwise, he may pull and dart about. Be patient and wait for your pup to offer you even a tiny moment of eye contact (this is capturing) or look at you—then immediately mark and reinforce. Repeat this training sequence frequently so your pup understands that looking at you means he'll get treats. You can add a "cue" for attention, too. Say "look" or "eyes" right before your dog is about to look at you and then mark, reinforce, and praise.
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4. Start Moving by Backing Up
Beginning your dog's movement by backing up may seem counterintuitive, but the backward steps are a great way to start moving without encouraging your dog to pull. With your dog wearing his collar and leash, take a few steps backward. As he follows you, mark, reinforce, and praise. Gradually increase the number of backward steps you take. Start with two or three steps, and then turn to walk forward two or three steps. Mark and reinforce him if he stays by your side.
5. Practice With "Come"
Teaching your dog to "come" while on a leash is a great way to help prevent future issues like pulling or forging ahead. It also provides an opportunity to teach your dog to come on cue without the risk of him running away. With your pup wearing his collar and leash, toss a treat just a few steps away from you. After he eats the treat and turns back to face you, say "come" and quickly mark and reinforce the moment as he moves towards you. Repeat this sequence so it becomes a game of tossing a treat and then turning around to come to you for another one.
6. Practice Taking a Few Steps on Leash Outside
Once your dog has mastered the basics of leash training inside, you can begin to move outside, but be sure to find a place that has few distractions. Your backyard or garage are good options. Practice walking just a few steps and stopping and asking for attention. Mark and reinforce moments of nice leash walking every few steps (while in motion). Anytime you stop, wait for your pup's attention and then reinforce. Don't rush it! Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps.
7. Gradually Increase Distance
Slowly begin to move from your home to the neighborhood. Begin by walking the distance of just a house or two and gradually increase the length of your walk as your dog masters the skill. Be sure to mark and reinforce constantly until your pup becomes better at this set of skills. It takes time to get good at coordinating the mark and treat delivering while moving, but after a few days of practice, rest assured you'll be a pro. Keep with it and stay positive!
Remember that puppies have short attention spans despite their seemingly endless amounts of energy. Don't expect a young dog to walk long distances with you until she's more mature and grown. Be patient and allow your dog to sniff, pee on trees and bushes (doggie email), and enjoy being outside with you. Walks should always be fun, not a chore or time for perfect heeling.
