At the foot the dog. Walking on foot
On the foot, on the foot, on the footddd… ON THE FOOT!
How many times can we hear this phrase in a day?
Too many times and often without the expected success!
Many people find it difficult to walk with their dog. Here are a few tips that may help you make the most of doggie walks.
When to start walking on a leash?
As many people start teaching their dog to walk on a leash too late, there are some who insist too soon. There's a reason there's a minimum age to enroll a dog in obedience training. Dogs are like children. If we are too rigid and intransigent, then we create a “rebellious” dog, which becomes unmotivated to obey. The ideal age to use the techniques below is at least 5 to 6 months. This does not mean that before that you should let him do what he wants, but rather require a pleasant walk, but let him discover his environment.
Where to start ?
By the beginning! It all starts when you tell your dog you're going for a walk. If you turn him on before you leave, don't expect him to be calm. The best way is to say "Rex, we'll take your walk" or just grab his leash. Stay very calm and use a normal tone of voice. If your dog gets excited when he sees the leash, hold it in your hand and wait for him to calm down. Don't talk to him or touch him. It can take 1 minute or 20 minutes. But if you are not patient enough, you will regret it during the walk.
Before putting on his leash, ask him to sit down, he shouldn't hop on the spot, but he can wag his tail. If your dog is sitting up, but panting when it's not hot, or whining, these are also signs that your dog isn't calm. Wait again.
Then move towards the door. Walk slowly and make frequent stops to show the dog that you are setting the pace. Don't let it shoot like an arrow or pull your arm. If so, bring your dog closer to you and wait long enough for him to calm down and try again. Before going outside, have your dog sit, then put your hand on the handle. If he gets up, give him the command again firmly and wait until he is calm to try again. Use the same method for opening the door. You should always walk through the door first. The key is to be patient!!!
During the walk
The dog should theoretically walk to your left and its shoulder should be equal to your knee. Always use the same side, this will make it easier to learn. Try to stick to the same route until your dog gets used to it and you've mastered the techniques. Here are the techniques you can use to correct your dog.
Stop with a turn
Stop abruptly, transfer the leash to your right hand and pass your dog behind you to bring him back to his initial position and then start again. By making him make this move, you force him to follow your movements and you show him that it is you who decides where you go. Repeat each time he shoots and be patient .
U-turn
Every time your dog pulls, turn around without warning and walk the other way. The discomfort felt discourages some dogs and the fact that he can no longer "focus" on the path he wanted to follow will help you bring his attention back to you.
pull on the leash
Much easier to do with smaller dogs. Most people pull the leash backwards. This only lifts the dog's front legs without distracting him from his path. You must pull towards you, but sideways. This way the dog “loses his footing” and has to look at his paws or to the side to catch himself. The dog thus destabilized, will no longer be in its comfort zone and slows down. Again, you have to be patient.
the bait
If the donkey advances with a carrot, the dog can do the same with a treat. This technique is excellent for deconditioning a behavior. It consists of holding a treat in the palm of your hand, so that the dog can smell it without touching it. Once in a while, you can open your hand to reward him. In this way, the dog concentrates much more on his master, so he is less tempted to pull on the leash.
walking tools
Several tools are available on the market to help you have a pleasant walk with your dog. It can be a great supplement, but I always recommend pairing them with a traditional method. If you never practice without these tools, chances are you have no authority without them. The right way to proceed would be to start walking with the accessory so that your dog burns off his energy a little and then try to walk with only the leash on the collar. You will find body harnesses such as Lupi and halti, and nose "harnesses" such as halti, gentle leader, control ease… Come and visit us at the pet store with your dog so that we can find the best tool for you and that we adjust it correctly for you.
Choker collars, whether made of fabric, chain or with inward teeth are to be avoided. Very few dogs need such correction to understand. The choke collar on a puppy can do irreversible damage to their still soft, growing vertebrae and cartilage. In addition, their use requires a specific technique for it to work. Used incorrectly, this collar diminishes your dog's confidence and motivation in you.
Points to remember
Not going for a walk because your dog pulls too much leads you into a vicious circle. If your pet doesn't expend their energy regularly, it will mean that when you come out, their excitement level will be intense.
Every time you put your dog on the leash, insist that he walks at your heels and don't slack off. Start practicing yourself, in the house or in the backyard. Focus on your technique and master it before venturing out into a public place. To practice with walking on a leash, it is better to take shorter walks and keep training throughout. Instead, go for a walk more than once a day, so you won't both be physically and mentally exhausted.
For more active or younger dogs, I recommend doing a 15 minute directed walk, to a green space, then putting a lead on the dog so he can run, smell, and let off steam. Then, end the walk with a directed walk.
To conclude
There is no miracle recipe, it's all about practice and consistency. If you've always let your dog pull on a leash, don't expect to solve the problem with just a step or two.
Good luck!
