Training Tips: Loose Leash Walking
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Does your dog take you for a walk? When your dog pulls while walking on leash, it can be very frustrating and challenging for both of you! Fortunately, through positive reinforcement training and loose leash walking techniques, you can teach your dog to want to walk with you without pulling! (Additional reading: What is Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training?)
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avior is functional (Check out this B&T Lecture How Behavior Works: Learning Theory and Training Methods). Dogs will only expend energy if there’s a reason to do so. Through pulling, dogs are able to obtain real-life rewards, such as sniffing bushes, eating food off the ground, greeting people or other dogs, etc. You can use other rewards, like treats, to show your dog that it’s more worthwhile to walk with a loose leash than it is to pull. Watch this B&T Lecture: Success on Leash for more in-depth information on leash handling and loose leash walking behaviors.
The secret to loose leash walking is simple: Don’t move in the direction your dog is pulling you. Instead, teach your dog to be aware of their leash and that they have the ability to progress forward as long as their leash is loose (Check out this video: How Dogs Learn). Here are some tips for loose leash walking:
Invest in Proper Training Equipment.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=119&height=119)
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There are many types of training tools available for teaching your dog not to pull. San Diego Humane Society does not promote the use of aversive training collars such as choke chains, prong collars or shock collars. These types of collars are often used for “corrections,” also known as positive punishment, by inflicting pain any time the dog pulls, lunges, barks or performs an undesired behavior (Instead, check out this video on how to Stop Unwanted Behavior Without Intimidation). These types of training tools require the dog to "fail" first and get punished for their "mistake," which does not teach them what to do to be successful. Aversive methods can damage your relationship with you dog and are known for exacerbating behavioral issues such as fear and aggression. What should be a pleasurable and rewarding experience for the dog turns into a scary, stressful and painful one (To learn how stress and fear.jpg?revision=1)
affect your dog, check out this video on Trigger Stacking & Stress Hormones). Training should be fun, for you and your dog! To know if your dog is enjoying training, learn How to Read Your Dog's Body Language When Training.
Instead, try using training equipment that prevent your dog from pulling on leash without using pain (Additional reading: Positive Reinforcement: Why Use It?). Training tools such as sense-ation, freedom or easy walk front-clipping harnesses cause your dog to turn to look back at you, encouraging check-ins and discouraging your dog from pulling. Using proper training equipment can reduce pulling by 98% — the other 2% must be taught! San Diego Humane Society uses sense-ation harnesses and positive reinforcement to train animals at our shelter, as well as participants in our public training programs.
Practice Loose Leash Walking Exercises:
- Attention Exercise: Reward your dog for checking in with you and giving you eye contact voluntarily. Pro tip: If they aren't offering you eye contact, make an exciting sound to get their attention. Then reward them for looking at you, orienting towards you, or even just an ear flick at first.
- Red Light/Green Light Exercise: Place a small pile of treats about 4-5 feet away from you and your dog, where they can't get to it on leash. Wait until there is no tension on the leash and then move forward toward the treats. If your dog pulls
and the leash is tight, stop and wait for him to release the tension. Once the leash is loose, start the game again. The goal is to get to the pile of treats on a completely loose leash. This will teach your dog they can't get the treats if they are pulling. - Combine Attention with Red Light/Green Light: Once your dog has an understanding of Red Light/Green Light, take the training out on the road. You will no longer need a pile of treats at the end of the rainbow; instead you will reward your dog for checking in (making eye contact) with you while on your walks. If your dog pulls, stop and wait for him to release the pressure. Then continue walking; the reward is the continuation of the walk. This may take some time at first, but it will pay off in the end!
- Enroll your dog in a basic obedience class or loose leash walking workshop: San Diego Humane Society offers training classes for all levels. Enroll here: Pet Training Classes
