Enjoying the end of the leash with your dog!

Spring and Summer are on its way! What a better time to enjoy outside time with your best friend! Sometimes your walks may not feel fun, however, and that’s where K9Better can help!

Here are some tips for teaching your dog good leash walking manners:

Start with the Right Equipment:

Use a comfortable collar that fits well.
-We recommend a martingale style to get started. https://ruffwear.com/products/web-reaction-martingale-dog-collar
-A standard leash (4 to 6 feet) works best for maintaining control.

Positive Reinforcement:
Reward your dog with treats, praise, or toys when they walk nicely on the leash. This helps them associate good walking behavior with positive outcomes. Focus on rewarding calm, focused behavior while walking. Some small cut up training treats are great, but mixing it up with higher value treats like cheese and hotdogs can help gain focus when its very exciting outside. Use a treat pouch, fill it up, and have fun marking the good behavior! https://ruffwear.com/products/treat-trader-dog-treat-bag?_pos=1&_psq=treat+pouch&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Teach Loose Leash Walking:
The goal is to keep the leash loose. If your dog pulls ahead, stop walking and wait until the leash is loose again before continuing. This teaches them that pulling doesn’t get them where they want to go. Alternatively, change directions when your dog pulls to redirect their focus and keep the walk engaging.

Avoid Overwhelming Distractions:
If your dog is distracted by other dogs, people, or cars, try to avoid these distractions at first or slowly work up to them with positive reinforcement.

Practice Short, Positive Walks:
Start with shorter walks and gradually build up to longer ones. Make each walk fun and stress-free, reinforcing good behavior as you go.

Be Patient: Leash training takes time, so be patient with your dog. If they don’t get it right away, keep practicing, and they’ll improve! Keep consistency!

We love working on leash walking, and can create a custom plan for your pup! If they are barking or pulling on the leash even after trying these tips, give us a call! We will work together to have you walking in harmony in no time! We offer Private lessons or an Academy program to master those leash walking skills!