How do you train your dog to walk on a leash? For many people this is a real frustration of how their dog doesn’t seem to understand the command to “stay” or to heel. If your dog doesn’t know the word heel and is only familiar with the word walk, then you need some simple training that will get your dog learning how to walk properly. Here are some dog training tips to help you train your dog to obey your commands:
o Establish a clear and obvious training area in your yard. Your yard should be a place where you can see your dog whenever you are exercising or working out. This is where your dog learns to go when told to. Do not use the grassy areas outdoors, as they tend to be difficult to use for walking with treats or toys. Also, keep all of your dog’s toys in the proper place in order to learn which toys are acceptable to play with while you are teaching him or her how to walk on a leash.
o Include your dog in all phases of your yard training. Even the simplest obedience training is best started when your dog is able to follow simple verbal commands such as “stay” and “heel”. Be certain that your dog can see and hear you whenever you are performing these dog training tricks.
o Practice the leash walking on a regular basis. Make it a part of your dog’s daily routine to walk through the yard with you, and learn the commands for the walk. It’s important to always be sure that your dog can successfully follow your instructions to learn how do you train your dog to walk on a leash.
o Keep in mind that your dog will quickly lose interest in learning how do you train your dog to walk on a leash if he or she is not consistently rewarded. Be certain that your dog receives plenty of praise when he or she successfully completes the task. Also, if you dog learns a new behavior or tricks quickly, be certain that you do not immediately introduce the same behavior or trick to the dog. Begin with incremental training so that your dog will not become confused or frustrated when you suddenly change the commands or tasks.
o Use dog training tricks and dog training aids to your advantage. There are many great dog training aids on the market today that can provide you with lots of fun training. You can purchase a plastic whistle that you can blow in a loud, distracting fashion to get your dog’s attention or a clicking device that makes a high pitched sound to get your dog to stop misbehaving. Other dog training tricks include using your hand to gently grab your dog by the scruff of the neck to make him or her understand that it is unacceptable to pull on your dog’s coat.
o Try not to overwhelm your dog. This can often be an issue if your dog seems to learn a new skill or trick quickly and you are trying to make a transition from old habits to new ones. You dog will likely need some time to adjust to the new training techniques. If your dog does not seem to take to the new methods very quickly, you may want to try playing with your dog to help alleviate the frustration and stress of having to deal with the new dog training tricks and techniques.
Training your dog can be an extremely rewarding experience. Dogs provide us with many affectionate companions and a sense of purpose. Therefore, when you are learning how do you train your dog to walk on a leash, make sure that you are taking your time, being consistent, and that you are providing your dog with positive reinforcement. You dog will benefit from these positive reinforcement methods and in the end, you as a dog owner will reap the rewards of a well trained dog. Good luck training your dog!
