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Loose Leash Walking
Have you ever seen someone walking their dog and thought “I wish my dog would behave like that!”?
How do you teach a dog to walk on a leash? The struggle is real my friends. But Can Do is here to help! Here’s a simple exercise to help you and your pup start walking like pros.
Have you ever seen someone walking their dog and thought “I wish my dog would behave like that!”?
How do you teach a dog to walk on a leash? The struggle is real my friends. But Can Do is here to help! Here’s a simple exercise to help you and your pup start walking like pros.
Start in a Low Distraction Environment & Keep it Simple
Our natural instinct as humans is to take our dog outside and expect him to behave. But, we forget how distracting the outside world can be to our dog. There are so many smells, sights, and sounds that it’s easy for our dog to tune us out.
The best way to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash is to start in an area that isn’t so distracting. Start inside your home. Put your dog on leash, face your dog then say “Come” and move backwards. Facing your dog helps her engage with you and WANT to follow you. After you move backwards a few feet say “Yes” to let her know she’s done a good job. Then, reward her with a treat. Once your dog has come to you, turn the other way and face her again saying “Come!” while you do. When she reaches you, say “Yes” and reward her with a treat.
Once your dog understands to follow you when you face him and move backwards it’s time to move on to the next step. Now, you’re going to have your dog at your side and will be walking in the same direction. Before you start walking say “Let’s Go.” This time only travel a short distance, about 1 to 2 feet and stop. When you stop ask your dog to “Sit” this will help him understand that it’s time to stop walking. Once your dog sits say “Yes” and give him a treat.
As your dog starts to understand this exercise you will gradually start to walk further and further…first 1 foot, then 2 feet, then 3 and so on.
Taking it Outside
After your dog is following you inside with ease it’s time to move outside. Now, we’re NOT going to ask our dog to go on an entire walk without pulling. That would be like teaching someone to dribble and tell them they are ready to play and actual basketball game. We haven’t taught the person to shoot, move while dribbling, or deal with other players trying to block him.
You’re going to make time for “Training Walks.” For now, when you’re on your dog’s regular walk you aren’t going to expect good manners just yet. Instead, pick random times when you normally wouldn’t be taking your pup for a walk, these will be your “Training Walks.”
During your Training Walks it’s important to only work in a small area. This may initially be as little as 5 feet. You’re going to start from the beginning steps. Again, you’ll start by facing your dog, saying “Come” and then moving backwards. You’re going to move back only a couple of feet just like when you began working inside. This is a new scenario for our pups and we need to teach them to listen in the presence of more distraction. That being said, start from the beginning and run your repetitions of facing your dog and moving backwards. Next, you will start to have your dog follow at your side just like before. Remembering to keep it as easy as it was when you started inside.
As your dog improves you will increase the distance you move with her outside, gradually building to the point where you can take her on an entire walk on a loose leash.
If you need help teaching your dog proper leash manners and are in the Naperville, Elmhurst, Villa Park, or Lombard communitites please reach out to us to schedule a free evaluation here or call us at 847.802.9534
4 Great Places to Hike With Your Pup in the Chicagoland Area
If you are like me, you want to spend as much time with your dog as you can. I love to hike and Sassy, my Beagle/Jack Russel mix, loves to smell and combining them makes for a fun outing the both of us can enjoy. Here is a list of some places near the Chicagoland Area you can hike with your dog.
If you are like me, you want to spend as much time with your dog as you can. I love to hike and Sassy, my Beagle/Jack Russel mix, loves to smell and combining them makes for a fun outing the both of us can enjoy. Here is a list of some places near the Chicagoland Area you can hike with your dog.
Starved Rock State Park
Ogelsby, IL
Starved Rock State Park is located in LaSalle County along the Illinois River. There are thirteen miles of hiking trails within the park and all are well marked and most are out and back so you can turn around at any time. All paths are accessible for dogs and there are places for your pup to splash in the canyon pools. While hiking within the state parks all dogs must be leashed at all times. Starved Rock can get busy during the warmer months, so if you are available for mid-week trips I would highly suggest doing so. Access to park and trails is free!
Check to see about availability of some amenities due to Covid procedures
Waterfall Glen
Darien, IL
Waterfall Glen is located in southern DuPage Country. With 11 miles of trails with waterfalls and bluffs, Waterfall Glen offers a hilly terrain great for hiking, biking or selfies with your pup! This is also a favorite spot in the winter for cross country skiers and winter walks. There are 4 trails mapped out at the preserve, but there are lots of other trails that veer off the beaten path, but are not mapped. Best part, no entry fees!
Check to see about availability of some amenities due to Covid procedures
https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/waterfall-glen
Schweitzer Woods
West Dundee, IL
Schweitzer Woods has over 5 acres of trails. This is also an approved off leash preserve, there are rules that must be followed, but within the boundaries your pup can explore! The property has oak forests, crop land, hay meadows and marshes. A beautiful Edwardian house and matching dog kennel are situated in the southeast corner of the property.
Check to see about availability of some amenities due to Covid procedures
Buffalo Creek
Long Grove, IL
This preserve offers 5.5 miles of gravel trails for walking, biking and cross-country skiing. Trails run through open areas within the preserve, crossing several creeks, great view of the reservoir and through a restored prairie. Dogs must be leashed along all trails but there is an off-leash area for you pup. Permits are required for the off-leash dog park, but if you want to take your pup on a nice leashed walk, there are no fees to visit this preserve.
Check to see about availability of some amenities due to Covid procedures
Giving Your Dog the Best Walk
We all know we should be walking our dogs on a regular basis so they get the exercise they need to be healthy. I know a lot of people also exercise for themselves by walking their dog and that is a great thing and your pup thanks you too!
Originally Published on 2/9/2021
We all know we should be walking our dogs on a regular basis so they get the exercise they need to be healthy. I know a lot of people also exercise for themselves by walking their dog and that is a great thing and your pup thanks you too! While walking your dog, I believe, the walk should be for them and there are simple, easy things we can be doing to make sure you and your pup get the most out of your walks together.
Allow Your Dog to Pick Which Side They Walk On
Training your dog to walk next to you is, I think, important to a lot of dog owners. This can be a good thing, but there is no correct side your dog should walk on. It is best to let your dog pick which side is the most interesting. There may be a side with more grass or maybe better smells and markings from other dogs. It is also important for us to allow our dogs to make decisions. It is good for their emotional and mental health and honestly, allowing this will not create an unbalanced relationship with your dog.
Give Your Dog Time to Sniff
We, as humans, are not always the most patient of beings, but we should be when it comes to allowing your dog to sniff while on a walk. Sniffing is extremely enriching for dogs and is good for mental stimulation. Your pup will thank you for giving them the time they want to sniff. You can always teach a "let's go" command if you do want to move your pup along.
Use the Correct Equipment
Making sure you and your pup have the correct equipment can help your dog enjoy their walk. If your dog is a puller, refrain from using a collar for walks. This puts strain on their neck and can cause more anxiety than help slow your dog down. Harnesses are the best thing to use with pullers. It takes the strain off their neck and gives you as the owner a bit more control to slow your dog down.
Use a straight leash for walks whenever possible, especially over a retractable leash. We all love our retractables; I know I do! But these types of leashes can be dangerous to you and your dog as they do not give you as much control as a straight leash.
Your Dog May Not Want to Say Hi...
It is very important we never force our dogs to interact with any dog or person they do not want to. This can create fear and anxiety for your pup. If your dog does want to say hi, and you and the other owner are okay with it, then go for it! Some dogs will only want to say a quick hi before moving on, while others may want to spend more time meeting a new friend. Pay attention to your dog's body language to gauge whether they have said enough hellos. Good tip is to always keep slack in your dog's leash while they are greeting another dog; any pressure on a leash, harness or collar may increase your dog's anxiety about the situation.
If you would like to learn more on this topic and get a few more tips from a pet sitter, check out Pet PawCast's Episode 4- Whose Walk Is It Anyway