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Teach Your Dog to Walk This Way
Article By: Glenn Redmond
Helmet and knee pads - check. Elbow pads and leash -
check. Okay, I'm ready. "Fido, let's go for a walk!"
For some dog owners, taking the dog for a walk has turned
into a contact sport - namely, the owner hitting the ground.
One frustrated owner displaying her bandaged knees and
palms admitted to me recently, "It is the most dreaded
and dangerous part of my day."
Dogs that consistently pull on the leash during walks
not only pose the risk of injury, but also take away the
pleasure of what should be an enjoyable experience. Fortunately,
Popeye-like arms do not have to be part of the protocol
to turn this behavior around.
Believe it or not, leash manners are more about psychology
and relationship than muscle strength. It is about teaching
our dogs to follow us, rather than the other way around.
Once you have decided to correct this annoying behavior,
there is one golden rule to follow. Every outing becomes
a training session. We cannot allow a dog to pull one
time when in a hurry to get back to the office and expect
perfect manners on a leisurely weekend stroll.
Though the above-mentioned padding should not be necessary,
starting with the proper equipment will help you set up
for success. First, you will need a six foot leather or
nylon leash. This length allows the dog a proper range
of movement, while maintaining a safe distance to the
owner. And please, if you now use a retractable lead,
do me a personal favor. Go get it right now and put it
where it belongs, in the garbage. These death traps (many
dogs have lost their lives being walked on these) offer
no control, and because it's designed to extend as the
dog moves forward, they inadvertently reward pulling by
allowing more lead.
My collar of choice for most dogs is a martingale. ¾
of the collar is made of nylon with a small chain that
attaches to two rings on the end. Once these two rings
meet, the collar cannot go any tighter, unlike the traditional
choke chain, which keeps tightening if pressure is applied.
Many dogs can easily back out of a regular flat buckle
collar and harnesses remember, are designed to encourage
pulling. Head halters which attach around the muzzle,
may make it easier to walk a dog, but do not teach any
lasting behaviors. As well, many dogs never get used to
the feeling of straps around their muzzle, causing frustration,
which is the last thing you need when attempting to teach
a new exercise.
Getting Started
Now that you have the right equipment, it is time to
change your status from anchor to active participant.
The reality is that continuing forward motion while the
dog is pulling, actually rewards the dog for pulling with
every step. For example, if your dog pulls you toward
a fire hydrant that he wants to sniff and you follow or
are dragged behind, then he is rewarded upon arrival because
his pulling got him where he wanted to go. The secret
lies in changing direction.
Start in an area free of distractions - say, your backyard
or a quiet street, and begin to walk with your dog. As
the dog starts to pull, quickly turn around and start
walking the other way. You may have to change directions
a few times, but most dogs will at least slow down and
look at you as if to say, "What is going on here?"
Take this opportunity to praise the dog and offer a treat
for his good attention. Continue to change direction anytime
the leash goes tight and offer as much unpredictability
as possible. Walk, run, stop, turn left, turn right, remembering
always to reward your dog verbally and with a treat in
the beginning for paying attention. Make a big fuss if
the dog changes direction with you on his own or adjusts
quickly to your changing pace.
Progress to putting favorite toys or treats in the middle
of your working area and give your dog the opportunity
to pull towards these irresistible distractions. Change
direction if he does. Allow the dog to have the toy or
treat if it is approached on a loose leash only.
Prepare to be Patient
Work your way up to short walks, never having a destination
in mind, and always changing direction the moment the
dog pulls toward anything. Increase the duration of walks
and level of distractions as your dog becomes more proficient
with this newly developed skill.
As with all things, time and effort will yield results.
Do not become discouraged by lack of overnight success.
How long depends on your dog, your training skills and
how much time you devote to the teaching process. Even
a month of teaching a dog how to walk well on a leash
is well worth the future years of enjoyment.
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