Walking On-Leash

Good manners while walking on-leash are very important. You will enjoy your walks with your puppy more when he is well-behaved on-leash.

There is a reflex which is often activated when doing on-leash walking: that is the opposition reflex. The opposition reflex causes your pup to pull away from anything that is pulling him. With training you can reduce the impact of this reflex, but initially you will need to work hard to maintain a slack leash.

With food or a fun toy and lots of direction changes you can require your pup to pay so much attention to you that the leash will rarely get tight. Initially you may need to face your puppy and walk backward while encouraging your puppy to come toward you.

Decide which side you expect your puppy to walk on. If you are planning to go into competitive obedience you will want to have your puppy learn to walk on your left side. Here are some more suggestions if you are having trouble walking with a slack leash.

If your dog likes to pull ahead:

• Start walking. When your pup is about to reach the end of the leash, stop. Be prepared to brace yourself by standing sideways to your dog and holding the leash in both hands.

• Your puppy may continue to pull for a while. The moment your pup turns toward you and slackens the leash, click. Show your puppy a treat and make it available in the position where you want your dog to be walking at your side. Your puppy will need to come back to you for the treat.

• When your pup has taken the treat, start walking again.

If your dog likes to put on the brakes:

• Start walking. When you reach the end of the leash and feel your puppy tugging backwards, stop. Don't look at your pup and keep your end of the leash in the same place.

• The moment your pup slackens the leash a little bit, click, smile at your pup and show him a treat. Make the treat available in the position where you want your pup to be walking by your side. Your puppy will need to come to you for the treat.

• When your pup has taken the treat, start walking again.

When your pup is walking well:

• When your pup is walking with a slack leash occasionally click and treat for the correct behavior. Make the reinforcement random: sometimes reinforce after only a couple of steps, and sometimes after more steps of slack-leash walking.

• Over time expect your pup to be able to keep the leash slack for longer and longer periods of time (more steps).