Loose-Leash Walking: What to Practice Before Asking for a Calm Full Walk

When you open the front door and your dog is at the end of the leash, asking for a perfectly calm walk is probably too much to ask. It is easier to teach loose-leash walking if you don’t consider the whole walk an exercise in loose-leash walking. There are parts you can practice before you expect good leash behavior while walking past traffic, interesting smells, other people and other dogs.

Attention is one part. You don’t need your dog to look at you constantly, but a few looks here and there will make it easier to ask him to change direction, slow down or even perform a cue. Start by practicing in a quiet place. Stand next to your dog, who’s wearing a comfortable leash and a well-fitting harness or collar. The dog looks at you, you mark the behavior and give him a small treat near your side. This encourages him to check in with you; you won’t have to ask him to look at you repeatedly. The treat shouldn’t be out in front of him if you’re trying to get him to walk by your side; give it near the spot where you’d like him to be.

Take two or three steps with a loose leash; mark the good behavior and give him a treat. Stop. Reset and try again. This lets you practice the behavior you really want before he starts to pull. You’ll also find it easier to see how much he can handle at one time. Instead of pulling back against your dog when the leash is tight, stop walking or change direction before he spends too much time pulling against the leash. Wait until the leash is loose again or until he looks at you and start walking. Don’t pull him back into position; you’re just establishing a simple rule that says a loose leash will keep you walking while a tight leash won’t allow you to go any further.

If a dog can walk calmly next to you for five steps inside, he might not be able to walk for three steps outside on a busy sidewalk. That doesn’t mean you failed at teaching loose-leash walking. There are too many distractions to expect a lot at first. Practice in a quieter place outside first. Keep the walks short and increase only one thing at a time. A longer distance would be great, but try to avoid increasing the challenge any further by adding a crowded place and a faster pace.

Your dog should be allowed to sniff things and take breaks. Loose-leash walking doesn’t mean your dog has to stay in heel the whole time. It’s usually easier to separate focused walking from just exploring and use a release word when he’s allowed to sniff. Don’t keep practicing if the walk has turned into pulling and frustration for both of you. Find a quiet place where you can practice the behavior you really want and reward a few calm steps. Give the leash a better job to do.