Loose lead walking is not about walking at heel, but a relaxed enjoyable walk for all.
When a dog is pulling on the lead, they are often in a state of high arousal/excitement.
This can make it just about impossible for your dog to focus on you and be calm enough to learn how to walk nicely on a lead.
To set you both up for success and before you even start any training there are a few aspects within their lives which are worth considering if they need extra support:
Excitement or anxiety surrounding going for a walk,
The right equipment,
Excessive energy,
Calm exits,
Toileting,
Training support.
Excitement or anxiety surrounding going for a walk.
If your dog becomes excited or anxious surrounding any aspect of getting ready for a walk, you will need to help your dog to stay calm. This will require support at home, before you even leave for a walk, with small increment training tasks.
Dogs can often become aware of certain visual clues that a walk is imminent, like putting on a certain coat or boots. This can start to build their excitement or anticipation.
Practice getting the equipment out at random times of the day, but not actually going for a walk, ignore unwanted excitement and mark any calm behaviour with a word, such as “good/right/well done” and treat.
This is not ‘teasing’ the dog it is teaching them to be patient and calm, known as impulse control, which is a good skill for all dogs to learn and can help you have a calm dog before you even leave the house.
Do not feel you always have to set aside specific times for these tasks, use natural break times, slip your boots/coat on when going to the toilet, get their walking equipment out while making a drink, for example.
If everyone in the dog’s family can manage 1–2-minute practice a few times a day, it makes training support less intense and more achievable for all.
Suitable equipment.
If you want to your dog to stay close to you and on a loose lead, you need to ensure they are comfortable, alongside also being aware of, and relaxed around their handler.
Many types of walking equipment such as head halters, slip leads, harnesses that tighten when dogs pull, are generally uncomfortable and potentially painful and can actually cause a dog to pull more to try and get away from that feeling.
These items may well help to physically restrain your dog, but do not teach your dog the right behaviour, not to pull.
If a harness is new to your dog, they will need time to accept it and you will require to put a desensitisation program in place.
A 3-4 foot long lead is the best to use, not extension/retractable leads as there is always a sensation of pressure or tension. If you usually have an extension/retractable lead to allow your dog more exercise, you will need to use a long line, or lock it on a loose setting, to remove any feeling of tension or restriction.
If your dog is never off lead due to recall concerns, this is another skill that can be developed, especially when they become more engaged with you.
If and when your dog is allowed free rein/loose running you have to offer them a very clear cue, you can use a marker phrase, “off you go” for example.
Excessive energy
Some dogs, due to breed or age have a large amount of energy and before a walk you may need to spend a little time in the garden to dilute some of this, this can be without or without walking equipment on.
Play a few short games of chase with a ball or toy, tug, or flirt pole. Follow this up with some scenting games to use up some mental energy by scatter throwing treats, scenting will also allow them to return to a calmer base and reminds them you are the supply of treats.
Calm exits
Promoting calmness surrounding the door environment is another important skill for every dog.
Doors can be very stimulating and even rewarding for dogs, they are exits to the world, family and friends arrive through them, there can be perceived ‘threats’ – post/parcels. So, you need your dog to gain more benefit or reward for being calm or moving away from a door.
Your dog will need prepared practice sessions, so they get a good understanding and learn what is expected of them. Consider where your dog can be placed away from the door, this may require a baby gate, and where you can safely store some treats near the front door ready for immediate positive distraction.
If possible, block access to the door when you are not available to supervise and consider a post box, so your dog does not have the opportunity to practice over excited behaviour.
Request that family and friends keep arrivals low key until the dog is in a suitably calm.
Practice a moment of calm at the door before exiting for walks, ignoring unwanted behaviour and marking wanted behaviour with a word and treat. Always use a ‘release’ word, such as “OK”, so they know they can move forward.
Toileting
If you use walks for much of your dog’s toileting, allowing a visit to the garden, before a walk, either with or without walking equipment on, can remove any urgency of needing to go.
Although toileting out in the real world is more than just a bodily function, it is an important part of dog communication, much like our own social media use. They learn a lot about the environment and adding their own ‘social messages’ helps with their confidence within the environment.
Training Support.
Teaching any new skill to your dog needs an environment that is without distractions so that your dog can focus on learning. Begin your loose lead training at home and/or in the garden.
You will need plenty of treats to reward your dog for the right behaviour. Treats only need to be pea sized and keeping them in a hands-free pouch on a belt will make it easier to dispense.
Eventually when you’ve practised in multiple locations and your dog has a good understanding, you can start to fade out treats altogether and just verbally praise your dog, but they will need continually support for doing the right thing.
If you have concerns surrounding your dog’s weight, just adjust their meal intake to allow for treats.
When you feel your dog has a good understanding at home, then you are ready to practice in the real world.
Out in the real world.
When out in the real there are many and varied distractions! So, there are a few things to consider to set you both up for success:
LOCATION, SUPPORT, NATURAL BEHAVIOUR, and ENGAGEMENT.
Location.
To start your training, pick a quiet area with low distractions, preferably at the end of a walk, when they have spent their physical or mental needs.
Just a few minutes is long enough, as they will have to stay focused, and you want to end on a positive.
After teaching your dog in a quiet location, you can start to introduce on the way home from a walk, then finally on the way to a walk.
Support.
Training will require allowances, adjustments, and lots of patience. Make sure everyone involved in the dog’s life is consistent with using the same training, marking, or praising words and treat allocation.
Sometimes situations can arise, out of our control, that may cause your dog to struggle and cause them to start pulling, try to avoid pulling back or yanking on the lead, just stand still and regain your dog’s focus. You can change your direction, increase distance, cross the street, or just pause to get your dog to positively focus on you.
Loud or large traffic can be unavoidable and can unnerve some dogs and they will pull to get away. You may need to consider walking at quieter times of day or changing your route, but always allow them their safety exit from anything they are worried about.
If some days practice is impossible, just return home as calmly as possible and start afresh the next day.
Natural behaviour.
Dogs need to sniff, forage, run, dig, roll, and even swim, so allow and give your dog these opportunities.
If they are busy having doggy fun do not yank or pull them away, as this can cause frustration, which in turn will be displayed with pulling. Just wait or positively distract if needed, using marker word and treat.
Be aware of the pace of your dog’s natural walking, try to make sure you match it.
Engagement.
If you want it from your dog, then you should give it to your dog, being present and observant matters.
One of the easiest ways to improve your dog’s walking skills and general focus when out and about is to reward them for checking in.
This means that every time your dog looks at you voluntarily, you need to reward them, this can be with simple praise.
This will also support you both to become more connected to each other’s movements and your dog will become more aware of where you are.
When you’re walking along with your dog, try mixing it up a little bit, by changing direction. As soon as your dog sees that you’re not beside them anymore, they’ll look around and come rushing towards you. Capture that magic and reward them when they get close.
Overall, meeting your dog’s specific needs outside of the context of a lead walk with enrichment, confidence building, suitable rest and relaxation and security support will build towards a calm, happy dog who will be winning in the world.
If at any time you feel you or your dog requires more specific focused support, I can be available for a 1 to 1 walk.
I will visit you at home and walk with you in your usual or local area, offering support and guidance, with a follow up report and individual training/support plan.
Information supplied by
Polite Pooches Essex
07979 44 88 49
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