How do you teach a dog to walk on a leash?
ANSWER Cut up a whole bunch of treats into teeny little pieces, grab your leash, and work on heeling in 10 to 15 min sessions. Start with your pup next to you, holding the leash pretty short. Tell her “HEEL”. Praise her for being in the “heel” position. Say “heel” and start walking. Reward her if she looks at you when you say “heel” or say her name. If she starts to forge ahead, begins to sniff, or tries to go a different way, gently tug the lead back and say, “Princess – Heel!” As soon as she looks at you or slows, praise and treat. If she continues to do what she’s doing, YOU become a POST. Meaning, you don’t move at all. From the post position, as soon as she looks at you, praise her for looking, then tell her “heel” and gently reel her back on the lead and put her in the heel position. Praise her. Tell her “heel” as you start off. Praise and reward her for heeling.
Teaching a dog to walk on a leash is easier to do when they are puppies, but can be done after they grow up. An old dog can be taught new tricks! The most important step in teaching a dog to walk on a leash (or teaching them to do anything) is to show them that you are the alpha of the pack (master). Dogs can sense confidence or nervousness and will respond accordingly. When you are ready to begin training stand tall and act with confidence. Tell your dog to sit and then place the collar and leash on him when he obeys. This may take a few tries, but be firm and wait until he does. Have the dog sit next to your feet and hold the end of the leash in one hand and hold about half way down the leash in your other hand so that the leash crosses in front of your body. This will give you more control over the dog. Once the dog and the leash are in position take a step forward and tell the dog to heel. Hold the leash firmly and if the dog starts to run forward stop and make him sit. Once the do
