Are You Ready to Finally Enjoy Walking Your Dog?

by Lisa Nobles

Dogs love to go for walks. Without question, walking and providing your dog with an adequate amount of exercise is extremely beneficial for their overall health. For some owners, however, it's more of a chore than enjoyment. As a result, as with many chores, a dog who does not know the proper way to walk on a leash will get less walks.

So what is the "proper" way for a dog to walk on a leash? You want your dog walking by your side with enough slack in the leash to be able to step over it. That's the goal.

Going for walks with an untrained dog is often fraught with uncontrollable pulling, quick bursts of running and a constant starting and stopping circus of smelling. Proper leash walking by the dog will clearly make walk times more enjoyable for all.

Recognize that you as the owner taught him to walk improperly on a leash, and as such, you can train him to walk properly.

Below are a few pointers to assist you in this training:

* Correct leash length. All professional dog trainers agree. The proper and most effective leash length for training of your dog is six feet.

* Think about how your dog thinks and feels. Dogs do not like to feel pressure. Some dog owners may have inadvertently taught the dog to "pull" by keeping the leash tight, even if the dog is walking right beside them. Anytime a dog feels pressure, he is going to instinctively pull on the leash in an attempt to relieve the pressure. The owner has to teach the dog that walking beside them is pleasant not hurtful. Constant slack in the leash is what the owner is after.

* Encourage your dog to look at you during walks. Rarely are leash corrections (dog walking beside owner with slack in the leash) successful unless the dog is looking at its owner. Looking at you reminds him you are still there. Dogs are easily distracted. In order to get the dog to look and make the correction, a message has to be sent to him through the leash. Usually all this requires is a gentle flick of the wrist. If that does not work, then lure him to look at you without pulling the leash. When he does, pat him on the back, draw him towards you and smile. To continue to encourage proper leash behavior, anytime during your walk that your dog looks at you, do this same behavior; pat him on the back, draw him near you and smile.

* Love your dog constantly and consistently. The owner is the one a dog wants to be closest too. Always let your dog know how much you love him and how much you want him there by your side. Whether on walks or just relaxing at home, love your dog constantly. This will carry over into your training.