蜜桃视频

Many people think that dogs just innately know how to walk politely on a leash. But this skill is something that needs to be trained. It鈥檚 an important skill to teach, and one you鈥檒l value every time you take your dog out for a walk. Dog training expert and AKC Family Dog training and behavior columnist offers the following tips:

Training Your Dog to Walk on a Leash

Follow these steps to set a solid foundation for any future walks with your dog:

Introduce the Puppy to the Collar or Harness and Leash

Start by letting them get used to wearing a or and a . Let them wear them for short periods of time in the house while you鈥檙e playing with them and giving them treats. The puppy should love collar-and-leash time because it represents food and fun.

Teach a Cue

Introduce your puppy to a sound cue that means, 鈥淔ood is coming.鈥� Some people like to click and treat, some people use a word like 鈥測es,鈥� and some people cluck their tongues. Whichever you use, the method is the same: In a quiet, distraction-free area, with the puppy on a leash and collar, make the sound. The second your puppy turns toward or looks at you, reward them with a treat. After a few repetitions, you鈥檒l notice your puppy not only looking at you but also coming over to you for the .

漏kozorog - stock.adobe.com

Make the Puppy Come To You

While they鈥檙e on their way to you, still wearing the leash and collar, back up a few paces. Then reward them when they get to you. Continue the progression until your puppy, upon hearing the cue noise, comes to you and walks with you a few paces. Remember that puppies have a short attention span. Keep your sessions short, and end them when your puppy is still eager to do more, not when they feel mentally exhausted.

Practice Inside

Now that your puppy understands how to come to you, practice walking a few steps in a room with little distraction. Feeling and seeing the leash around them will be enough of a challenge. Offer treats and praise as your puppy learns to come to you, with a leash on.

Take It Outside

Finally, you鈥檙e ready to test your puppy鈥檚 skills in the great outdoors. There will be new challenges with this step because all the sounds, smells, and sights your puppy encounters will be intriguing and new to them. Be patient and keep the first walks short. While you鈥檙e on a walk, if your puppy looks like they鈥檙e about to lunge toward something or is about to get distracted (you鈥檒l notice this because you鈥檒l keep your eyes on them at all times), make your cue sound and move a few steps away. Then reward them with a treat for following you.

chillin/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Leash-Training Troubleshooting

Even though your puppy may be learning to walk on a leash very nicely, you鈥檙e likely to run into some issues as they get older, go to new places, and experience new distractions. You鈥檒l want to teach them loose-leash walking because it鈥檚 much more pleasant for you both, and also then can pass their Canine Good Citizen test. Here are a few tips on what to do if you鈥檙e having trouble with leash training, courtesy of the AKC GoodDog! Helpline.

If Your Puppy Pulls

If your dog starts pulling in the other direction, turn yourself into 鈥渁 tree.鈥� Stand very still and refuse to move until your dog comes back to you. Don鈥檛 yank or jerk the leash or drag your dog along with you. and are alternative training tools designed for dogs that tend to pull.

If Your Puppy Lunges

If your dog is going after something while on a walk 鈥� another dog, a car, a skateboarder, for example, be proactive. Try to redirect their attention with a treat before they have a chance to lunge. Increase the space between your dog and the target. Stay alert and be prepared before the target of their frustration gets too close. This type of behavior may be more common in herding breeds, but any dog can be startled by something they鈥檙e not used to or find exciting.

If Your Puppy Barks

Some dogs have the habit of barking at other dogs while on a walk. Oftentimes, this behavior comes as a result of a lack of exercise. Make sure your dog gets the proper amount of mental and physical stimulation for their age and breed. If this is still a problem, use the same process as you would if your dog is lunging. Create distance and offer treats before they start to bark. Every time they see another dog, they鈥檒l get used to turning their attention to you.

Gradually you鈥檒l reduce the number of treats and the amount of troubleshooting that your puppy needs during a walk. It鈥檚 a good idea to keep some on hand at all times so you can randomly reinforce good leash-walking behavior.