Walking with a relaxed lead
Probably the most difficult part of dog training, the one that takes the longest to train and achieve the desired results. Would you like your dog to sit quickly on command? Would you like your dog to lie down on command even when running? Does it sound impossible? So many dog owners find that quick reaction is beyond them, and as soon as their dog is off the lead, any idea of control goes with it.
They have gone to training clubs, attended seminars, read books and tried all sorts of tricks and tips and nothing has worked. So what’s the secret to a consistently fast response? Only very few trainers have the answer, and I’m going to share some of those secrets with you in this article. These techniques are very powerful and, when applied correctly, produce truly outstanding results.
If your dog enjoys his training, you will get a faster and more positive response than if you use other methods. The techniques and methods I will share with you have been perfected over many years of training dogs of all ages and breeds and build your relationship with your dog through teamwork, trust and mutual respect.
Sounds so easy, right? Just you and your dog on a lovely walk, your dog walks calmly next to you and everything is fine. Happy Days!!
Why then do you see so many dogs taking their owners for a walk, straining at the lead to get somewhere as quickly as possible? Where are they trying to get to in such a hurry? Why don’t they listen to commands like “Hell” and “NO”? All too often afterwards you see owners getting annoyed, frustrated and fed up with their dog, or you see them dragging themselves along afterwards with expressions on their faces that are completely resigned to the fact that this will always be the case.
Well, you don’t have to, and you might be surprised to learn that training a dog to walk calmly on a loose lead actually starts in the house before you even step out the door. How many of us are always in a rush to walk the dog or get excited while getting ready yelling “walkie” and getting the dog excited??? Be honest now!!
What causes the dog to pull on the leash? Because they take their pack out hunting and feel they have to lead the way. Therefore, if you speed up, so do they, to get ahead of the chasing pack, that’s you, by the way! This is also why many dogs don’t pull the leash when they go home because the hunt is over.
So, are you ready for the solution? This will prove to be a test of your character, but if done right it is very effective. To control the walk outside the house, we must have control before departure. You may have heard that you have to go through the door first, and many achieve this by commanding the dog to “sit” or “wait.” But this doesn’t work because it doesn’t allow the dog to voluntarily step back to let you go first.
Preparation for the walk should be divided into stages. If you have caused a stir with your dog in the past, then stop and prepare for the walk quietly. You must monitor your dog for signs of agitation at each stage because you cannot move on to the next stage if the dog becomes agitated. To do this, you must remain completely calm and relaxed, no matter what your dog does to make things happen.
So, take the lead. If the dog becomes agitated, return the lead and walk away a few steps. Wait for the dog to calm down and take the lead again. If the dog returns to agitation, return the lead back and so on until you can take the lead and the dog remains calm. Once this is accomplished, place the leash on the dog. If the dog gets excited after that, take the lead off and walk a few steps away and wait for the dog to relax. Repeat this until you can put the leash on the dog and the dog remains calm.
Okay, this is the easiest part of the way. You now have a calm dog on a leash. What next? Take a step towards the door you usually leave the house through. If your dog lunges in front of you to get to the door first, stop and take a few steps back and wait for the dog to take the tension off the lead ie. stop pulling. If they are still in front of you, between you and the exit door, turn so the dog comes up behind you as you go back to the door. If they go to the front, repeat the steps above.
Continue this process each time the dog learns to be calm, you will be able to take more steps towards the door. When you get to the door, with your dog calm and relaxed and following you rather than pulling you to the door, open the door but don’t step through. If the dog bumps into your front, leave the door open and go back into the house and walk back about 6 paces, bringing the dog with you, face the door and stop. Go to the already open door and if your dog pulls in front, turn around a few paces, face the door and stop.
This teaches the dog that in order to go forward and out the door he must follow you, if he tries to lead you are not going anywhere. Repeat the process until you can calmly walk through the door and your dog backs off to let you go through first without any commands from you. When out for a walk, if the dog pulls forward, turn around and do the same procedure as in the house.
Be patient, persistent and enjoy your studies.
#Walking #relaxed #lead
