How to Train a Dog to Walk on a Leash

Introduction

Walking your dog on a leash is an essential activity for both you and your canine companion. It not only provides them with exercise and mental stimulation, but it also helps strengthen your bond. (Plus, they’ll look really cute when wearing our dog boot leggings in a fetching color or pattern!) However, walking your dog on a leash can be stressful and frustrating if your dog pulls or refuses to walk on a leash. Fortunately, with the right techniques and patience, you can teach your pup how to walk on a leash like a pro.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to train a dog to walk on a leash effectively. From choosing the right equipment to basic commands and techniques, we've got you covered.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Before you start training your dog to walk on a leash, it's essential to choose the right equipment. Here are a few helpful tips:

1. Select the Right Collar: There are different types of collars available on the market, including flat collars and martingale collars, among others. Flat collars fit around your dog’s neck, with a buckle or snap closure. Martingale collars feature an extra loop of fabric that tightens as your dog pulls and loosens while they walk without pulling, and is especially helpful to keep your dog from slipping or backing out of their collar. 
2. Get the Right Leash: The type of leash you choose can make a significant difference in how well your dog walks. A standard six-foot leash made of nylon or leather is ideal for most dogs. (The Walkee Paws Leash, for example, comes in fetching prints to match your dog boot leggings. Plus, the Bag & Leash Combo transforms from an adjustable leash into 5 different wearable bags and a doggy car restraint!) Avoid retractable leashes as they can encourage pulling and are not suitable for training.
3. Consider a Harness: If your dog pulls excessively or has respiratory issues, you may want to consider a harness. A harness distributes the pressure evenly across your dog's chest, preventing choking or gagging. The Walkee Paws Easy-On Harness is even designed to pair paw-fectly with our best-selling dog boot leggings.

Basic Commands

Now that you have the right equipment, let's move on to some basic commands that will help you train your dog to walk on a leash.

1. Sit : The sit command is an essential trick that will help you control your dog while walking on a leash. Start by standing in front of your dog with a treat in your hand. Hold the treat above your dog's head, guiding it toward their butt so they naturally lean back on their behind, and say "Sit" at the same time. When your dog sits, give them the treat and praise them.
2. Stay : The stay command will help you control your dog while waiting at a street corner or crossing a road. Start by commanding your dog to sit, then say "Stay." Take one step back and if your dog stays, reward them with a treat and praise. Slowly work up to taking more and more steps away from your dog while they hold their stay.
3. Heel : The heel command teaches your dog to walk beside you on a loose leash. Start by standing with your dog on your left side with a treat in your hand. Command your dog to "Heel" and start walking. If your dog pulls or moves away from you.

Training Techniques

Here are some effective training techniques to teach your dog how to walk on a leash:

1. Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a popular training technique that rewards good behavior (making it more likely to be repeated) . When your dog follows your commands or walks on a loose leash, reward them with treats, praise and affection. 

Here's how to use positive reinforcement to teach your dog to walk on a leash:

1. Start by rewarding your dog for simply wearing the leash and collar. This will help your dog associate the leash and collar with positive experiences.
2. Next, reward your dog for following you on a leash. Start with short walks in a quiet area and gradually increase the distance and distractions.
3. If your dog pulls on the leash, stop walking and wait until they return to your side. When they do, reward them with a treat and praise.
4. Keep the training sessions short and positive. This will help your dog associate walking on a leash with fun and positive experiences.

     2. Clicker Training

Clicker training is a popular training technique that uses a clicker to signal to your dog that they have done something right. Clicker training is effective because it is precise and helps your dog learn faster.

Here's how to use clicker training to teach your dog to walk on a leash:

1. Start by introducing the clicker to your dog. Click the clicker and immediately give your dog a treat. Repeat this several times until your dog associates the clicker with treats.
2. Next, attach the leash and collar to your dog and hold the clicker and treats in your hand. Take a few steps and click the clicker when your dog walks on a loose leash. Immediately give your dog a treat and praise.
3. If your dog pulls on the leash, stop walking and wait until they return to your side. When they do, click the clicker and give them a treat and praise.
4. Keep the training sessions short and positive. This will help your dog learn faster and enjoy the training process.

      3. Leash-Training Aids

Leash-training aids such as a front-clip harness, head collar or no-pull harness can help you teach your dog to walk on a leash. These aids work by preventing your dog from pulling on the leash, making the training process easier.

Here's how to use leash-training aids to teach your dog to walk on a leash:

1. Choose the right leash-training aid for your dog. A front-clip harness is ideal for dogs that pull on the leash, while a head collar is best for dogs that need more control or are reactive toward other dogs on leash.
2. Introduce the leash-training aid to your dog. Let them sniff it and become familiar with it before putting it on.
3. Once the leash-training aid is on, reward your dog for good behavior. Use positive reinforcement or clicker training to encourage your dog to walk on a loose leash.
4. Keep the training sessions short and positive. As mentioned previously, this helps your dog adjust to the leash training-aid and enjoy the training process.