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| Obedience: The Loose Leash Command |
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Loose Leash Dog Training For Obedience
Whenever I was out with Archie, loose leash training, I used to watch how others had
trained their puppy dogs. They may walk well at the owner’s side when there were no
distractions but when they saw something or want to go somewhere else, things
changed.
This is when I would see owners yanking and pulling in one direction and the dog
pulling in the opposite direction. It ends up as a tug o’ war. You realize that the owner
doesn’t have full control of his dog after all.
Loose leash training puppies really isn’t too difficult to do. What you do need to do is be
consistent with your commands, corrections and rewards. Training a grown dog is
different to training a puppy to walk on leash but not much more difficult.
You just need patience especially if your dog came from the pound, or from a rescue
group. You don’t know what he’s been through, so patience and TLC are the order of
the day.
Loose Leash Training tips
Here is the process that I used to leash train Archie. It’s not rocket science and is very
easy. As a dog handling service, I have been to many people’s houses to observe their
dogs’ behavior. I put them on a leash and take them for a short walk. They try to pull
ahead and/or in the wrong direction because they have always been able to get away
with what they want.
They may try to pull back because they don’t know where they’re going and what’s this
rope around my neck for? They clearly have never had on leash dog training before or
the only times they have been on a lead, it has been a bad experience. I have always
had 100% success with this method and all the dogs look forward to their walks by the
time their loose leash training is finished.
What we are going to teach the dog is that pulling in his direction gets him nowhere;
following in my direction gets him on a nice walk where he strolls along quite happily.
First off, lets get the leash hooked up to the collar. (The collar should be on him already
especially if you have just acquired him because you don’t know what his Houdini factor
is and in most cities, it is law that a dog must be tagged). Give him a good fuss when
putting it on and let him know that he’s going for a nice walk. Dog leash training is going
to be lots of fun. Get him in a happy mood and looking forward to going. Don’t just clip
the leash on, open the door and walk out because he won’t know what’s going on and
may start fighting the leash.
Okay, the leash is on and it looks like he might play along. As you start walking, you
want the dog to be on your left side. The handle of the leash will be in your right hand
and the slack running through your left hand. The simple reason for this is that you
have better control because you will feel any slack being taken up and can stop it by
tightening your left hand. If he tries to make a break for it, you already have two hands
on the leash.
When you are loose leash training a dog, he may want to start pulling ahead. There are
several reasons for this;
As soon as the leash tightens and he starts straining, stop. Stand exactly where you are
and don’t move and at the same time call out to him. You may want to call his name. I
use “dogs name, wait”.
He may be in a hurry to get somewhere and continue straining until he realizes that he’s
getting nowhere. He’s going to look back and if he does and the leash slackens, praise
him and offer him a treat.
He’s going to come back towards you for the treat so the leash will slacken so more.
Give the treat and lots of praise and move on. If the leash remains slack at your side,
give lots of praise and tell him what a good boy he is. If the leash begins to tighten,
even slightly, call him back with “wait”.
I use a slightly deeper tone for a correction and a higher one for praise. Dogs sense
the tone difference even if they don’t understand the words. If the leash goes tight,
issue the wait command and stand still. Use the same procedure as before and issue
lots of praise when the leash slackens.
He’s soon going to get the message that tight leash means nowhere; loose leash
means nice walk, lots of praise and sometimes a treat. This is going to take time to
perfect, but I find it very rewarding and stimulating. You can also start incorporating
other commands such as sit, when you get to a road junction, or leave if you are
walking past that dead frog.
Loose leash walking really is spending quality time together. He is pleased because
he’s learning and you are pleased because you are teaching him right. Talk to them all
the time. Talk about anything just so that he can hear your voice.
Don’t miss the opportunity to bond with your dog. You will soon be giving your dog off
leash training.
From loose leash training we can transition to using the heel command.
Whenever I was out with Archie, loose leash training, I used to watch how others had
trained their puppy dogs. They may walk well at the owner’s side when there were no
distractions but when they saw something or want to go somewhere else, things
changed.
This is when I would see owners yanking and pulling in one direction and the dog
pulling in the opposite direction. It ends up as a tug o’ war. You realize that the owner
doesn’t have full control of his dog after all.
Loose leash training puppies really isn’t too difficult to do. What you do need to do is be
consistent with your commands, corrections and rewards. Training a grown dog is
different to training a puppy to walk on leash but not much more difficult.
You just need patience especially if your dog came from the pound, or from a rescue
group. You don’t know what he’s been through, so patience and TLC are the order of
the day.
- If you follow the puppy dog leash training tips, you will have a dog to be proud of
that will walk beside you on a loose leash or even take the dog leash off training
him to stay at heel and not one that is constantly tugging to go after something or
to get away. They will learn that pulling on the leash is an unacceptable behavior.
- When you first get your older dog, he is already going to be on a leash for you to
take him home. Even if you put him in the back of the car, leave the leash on until
you get in your house. When you get there, he may need to go straight out into
the yard to go to the bathroom. Take him out on the leash and then bring him in
when he has finished.
- Don’t forget all the steps you have taken, meeting him, putting him in the car,
getting him out of the car, taking him in the house, taking him into the yard, him
doing his business, bringing him back in the house ALL deserve lots of praise.
- This has got to be normal procedure ALL of the time. When he does something
right, praise him for it. The more you do it, the more he will get to like and trust
you and the easier loose leash training will be.
- When you start out on your walks, you want him to enjoy it and to do that; he
needs to learn that walking with you is a whole lot easier than trying to pull
against you which will get him nowhere.
- When you are puppy dog training leash walking should be a family affair. Take it
in turns to hold the leash and issue commands.
- Only the person with the leash should give the commands.
You don’t want half a dozen people telling everyone else what to do. It will
confuse you and the dog.
- Doing this is going to show everyone what the standard procedure is going to be.
If everyone learns how to use the leash puppy training will be a breeze.
Remember you must be consistent with your commands, corrections and rewards.
Loose Leash Training tips
Here is the process that I used to leash train Archie. It’s not rocket science and is very
easy. As a dog handling service, I have been to many people’s houses to observe their
dogs’ behavior. I put them on a leash and take them for a short walk. They try to pull
ahead and/or in the wrong direction because they have always been able to get away
with what they want.
They may try to pull back because they don’t know where they’re going and what’s this
rope around my neck for? They clearly have never had on leash dog training before or
the only times they have been on a lead, it has been a bad experience. I have always
had 100% success with this method and all the dogs look forward to their walks by the
time their loose leash training is finished.
What we are going to teach the dog is that pulling in his direction gets him nowhere;
following in my direction gets him on a nice walk where he strolls along quite happily.
First off, lets get the leash hooked up to the collar. (The collar should be on him already
especially if you have just acquired him because you don’t know what his Houdini factor
is and in most cities, it is law that a dog must be tagged). Give him a good fuss when
putting it on and let him know that he’s going for a nice walk. Dog leash training is going
to be lots of fun. Get him in a happy mood and looking forward to going. Don’t just clip
the leash on, open the door and walk out because he won’t know what’s going on and
may start fighting the leash.
Okay, the leash is on and it looks like he might play along. As you start walking, you
want the dog to be on your left side. The handle of the leash will be in your right hand
and the slack running through your left hand. The simple reason for this is that you
have better control because you will feel any slack being taken up and can stop it by
tightening your left hand. If he tries to make a break for it, you already have two hands
on the leash.
When you are loose leash training a dog, he may want to start pulling ahead. There are
several reasons for this;
- he may want to get away,
- he’s excited and wants to get on with the walk,
- he’s seen a dead frog ahead and wants to go smell it
As soon as the leash tightens and he starts straining, stop. Stand exactly where you are
and don’t move and at the same time call out to him. You may want to call his name. I
use “dogs name, wait”.
He may be in a hurry to get somewhere and continue straining until he realizes that he’s
getting nowhere. He’s going to look back and if he does and the leash slackens, praise
him and offer him a treat.
He’s going to come back towards you for the treat so the leash will slacken so more.
Give the treat and lots of praise and move on. If the leash remains slack at your side,
give lots of praise and tell him what a good boy he is. If the leash begins to tighten,
even slightly, call him back with “wait”.
I use a slightly deeper tone for a correction and a higher one for praise. Dogs sense
the tone difference even if they don’t understand the words. If the leash goes tight,
issue the wait command and stand still. Use the same procedure as before and issue
lots of praise when the leash slackens.
He’s soon going to get the message that tight leash means nowhere; loose leash
means nice walk, lots of praise and sometimes a treat. This is going to take time to
perfect, but I find it very rewarding and stimulating. You can also start incorporating
other commands such as sit, when you get to a road junction, or leave if you are
walking past that dead frog.
Loose leash walking really is spending quality time together. He is pleased because
he’s learning and you are pleased because you are teaching him right. Talk to them all
the time. Talk about anything just so that he can hear your voice.
Don’t miss the opportunity to bond with your dog. You will soon be giving your dog off
leash training.
From loose leash training we can transition to using the heel command.
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