How to teach a dog to walk nicely on a leash (ANYWHERE) #dogtraining #puppytraining ing, by Thepainfreepettrainer on YouTube. 1 min 9 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 9 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Start somewhere quiet, like a hallway or a back yard. Clip the leash to a flat collar or harness, put a handful of pea sized treats in your pocket and stand still with your dog on your left.
Feed a treat at your left leg every time your dog stands or looks near that spot. Repeat until your dog chooses to hang around your left side.
Take one step forward. The moment the leash stays slack, say a quiet yes and place a treat at your left leg.
Stop the instant the leash goes tight. Stand still and wait instead of pulling back. When your dog steps toward you and the leash loosens, reward and walk on.
Change direction before the leash tightens. Say your dog's name, turn and walk the other way, then reward when your dog catches up to your left side.
Keep each round to 1 or 2 minutes, then take a short break. Three or four short rounds a day teach faster than one long walk.
Move to harder places step by step: driveway, quiet street, park. Treat the first minute in each new place as a fresh start with easy steps and quick rewards.
Stretch the gaps as your dog improves. Reward every step at first, then every third step, then every tenth, and finish each session while your dog is still doing well.
Tips and common mistakes
Never yank the leash to correct pulling. Stopping and waiting teaches your dog that forward motion only happens on a slack leash.
Skip retractable leads for training. A fixed length leash lets you keep the same distance every time.
Use a front clip harness if your dog is strong or pulls hard, and avoid choke or prong collars.
Practice on every walk, not just training sessions, or your dog will learn the difference.
Questions
How long does loose leash walking take to learn?
Most dogs need a few weeks of short daily sessions before it becomes a habit. Strong pullers or highly distracted dogs can take a few months.
What if my dog pulls toward another dog or a squirrel?
Increase the distance before your dog reacts, turn and walk away, then reward as soon as your dog looks back at you. Practice at a distance first and move closer over time.
Should I use treats on every walk forever?
No. Phase them out slowly by rewarding some good steps and not others, then swap food for praise, a toy or a sniff break.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
