You’ve been walking your dog all wrong – here are SEVEN top tips for the best behaved dog in the park
WALKING the dog should be simple, right?
Well, training a dog can take their entire lifetime, but these top tips will get you closer to having the best behaved dog in the park.
According to and dog behaviourist and trainer Erin Rakosky the key is having fun, keeping it enjoyable for both of you and plenty of positivity (and treats!)
Load up on treats
Grab your pup pal's fave treats because they need a tasty incentive to do as you say.
If you have chosen to clicker-train your dog, have that in hand too.
Try to establish your dog's cue words and commands that you will consistently use.
Make sure your dog is comfortable in their collar or harness, a good way to check is to see if you can fit two fingers between the dog's neck and their collar.
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Start off-lead
Dog expert Erin Rakosky recommends starting off the walking training in a secure, fenced-off outdoor area or an indoor hallway.
Start by walking around BUT ignoring your dog.
Then, call to them and give them a treat when they come to you.
Walk around again but this time encourage your dog to stay by your side.
Erin's chosen command is: "Let's go!", but try to find out what your dog responds to and use that.
Try 'follow me', 'walking' or 'walkies' in an encouraging, high-pitched tone.
Give your dog treats as you walk and take breaks to ignore your dog.
Call her back to you and then continue on your walk.
As all the training will be working your dogs brain, Erin says these breaks give the dog “a chance to take a mental break after working hard.”
Attach the lead but dont walk yet
Now your dog can walk by you, bring out the lead.
Take your training back indoors to work on getting ready for a walk.
If your dog is already calm, clip the lead to her collar or harness, and reward them for staying still.
If your dog goes a bit bananas if they hear even a mere whisper of the word 'walk', aim to get them calm before their lead goes on.
Do this by consistently reinforcing the lead as a positive presence in your dog’s life and let them get familiar with it, thus preparing her to remain calm and by your side.
Start by reaching for the lead.
If your dog starts going crazy, quickly pull your hand away and stand still.
Don't talk to your dog, just calmly ignore them as they are more likely to settle down quicker.
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Reward your dog for sitting still
Once your dog's calm and waiting, reach forward to clip on the lead.
If the dog gets restless again, pull your hands back and wait again.
Repeat the reach-and-wait sequence until your dog is calm while you clip on the lead.
Hit the road Jack
Don’t expect a long, drawn-out walk yet.
Instead, try taking short, focused training walks that last 5-15 minutes.
Remember, you’re putting in the work now to allow for better, more productive walking later on.
Loose-lead training methods
"Be a tree” method, or what dog trainer/behaviourist Victoria Stilwell calls “Stand and Be Still”
When your dog pulls on the lead, immediately stop and just stand still. Wait for your dog to take a step back or to focus on you. Once the lead relaxes, carry on walking. Repeat as necessary as this may take a while to get right.
“About turn” method
Walk normally with your dog but once you reach the end of the lead, suddenly turn and walk in the other direction.
Use your “let’s go!” cue to keep your dog encouraged.
It's important in this method to maintain a brisk pace, and to reward your dog for doing well.
When the dog turns and walks by your side, click or say “yes” and give a treat as you keep going forward.
All the quick turns can get dizzy but with enough repeatition, your dog will stay by your side when you turn.
The “stop and walk backwards” or “penalty yards” method
If your dog insists on pulling forward when you stand still or turn around, you can add a penalty - not a punishment - to teach that pulling has consequences.
When your dog pulls forward, simply back up slowly with some gentle pressure on the lead.
Don’t be forceful or pull the lead, just walk back.
When your dog turns their focus back to you, reward them to encourage them to keep walking by you.
Using an upbeat, cheerful tone will help your dog.
Use walking tools
Find out what works best for you and your dog which may all depend on breed, size and the training stage you are at.
Some options are collars, or many types of harnesses too.
Head harnesses go around your dog’s muzzle and attach to the lead at the front.
If she pulls, it turns the dog's head.
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Once worn they can stop a dog pulling short-term but must be carefully fitted and introduced gradually as they don't suit all dogs.
Front-hook harnesses fasten on the dogs chest and discourage pulling by turning your dog towards you when they pull.
No-pull harnesses discourage pulling by putting a small amount of pressure on the dog’s chest or legs when they put strain on the lead.
Keep it up
You an your dog are learning daily so keeping up the training is a life-long process.
Keep it fun for both of you and always use positive re-enforcement.
Slow and steady wins the race so remember to be patient to have the happiest and best behaved dog.
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