Healthy Habits for Loose Leash Walking
I’ve curated this loose leash walking library as a quick reference guide to round out your loose leash walking knowledge. Below you’ll find videos and links to blog posts encouraging healthy habits for more enjoyable walks with your dogs. If you need more help, I’m only a click away!
How calm your dog is when s/he gets ready for a walk can indicate how cooperative they will be on that walk. Creating a calm routine before the walk can improve your dog’s cooperation.
Should you wrap your leash around your wrist? Watch this to find out!
Learn how to safely hold the leash.
Now that you’ve learned how to leash your dog before a walk and how to hold the leash, learn what to do as soon as you leave your home! Every time you leave home with your dog, stop right outside of your front door. Wait for your dog to voluntarily look at you within 3 seconds. If your dog doesn't volunteer attention, say your dog's name once. If your dog doesn't respond to their name, go back inside, play attention games, and try again. If your dog volunteers attention or responds to his/her name, reward your dog and start the walk.
Leash tension can affect a dog’s walking habits. If the leash is always tight whenever the dog walks, the dog learns that the leash must be tight to get to their destination. If the leash tension is loose whenever the dog walks, the dog learns that the leash must have slack to get to their destination. Leash length can help or hurt loose leash walking goals.
Speaking of leash tension, what should you do whenever your dog pulls the leash tight? Teach your dog that a tight leash is the cue to look at you. Once your dog is looking at you, reward them by quickly moving towards that irresistible blade of grass.
What if instead of a puller you have a lagger? Does your dog lag on walks? Watch this!
We’ve all been there. We’re pausing for our dog to sniff and realize it’s time to move on. Rather than jerk the leash, do this instead!
Teach your dog to stop should you accidently drop the leash.
As you can see, I’ve spent a lot of time teaching these skills over the years. Below are the blog posts I’ve written related to loose leash walking. Each is about a two minute read and some contain videos.
Learning to Walk in the Slow Lane
Chasing Your Tail - Help with Loose Leash Walking
Your Dog’s Bucking Bronco Behavior
Loose leash walking begins at the human end of the leash. Thank you for taking the time to add these skills, habits, and knowledge to your loose leash walking library! Loose leash walking is simple but not easy. I have an on-demand loose leash walking class in Behavior Buddies and I’m available for private training.