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Spring is here and that means nicer weather and more opportunities for taking your dog for walks. If your dog walks amount to a jog in the park for your dog with you in tow, this article is for you!

Change Your Direction

Abruptly changing the direction you’re heading in may be enough distraction to make your dog understand that he needs to follow you. Every time your dog begins to run or walk ahead of you, quickly turn around and begin walking the other way. When he obeys and returns to your side, be sure to follow up with praise and/or a small dog treat. Its pointless to scold your dog, catching him off guard and redirecting his attention is far more effective.

To begin with, your walks may only be a few steps at a time. That's OK! You may need to repeat this process several times. The goal is to have your dog following you, and paying attention to the direction you're headed in. If you repeat this technique several times, and consistently give treats and praise, you'll find your dog will begin to pay attention to you and stop trying to play tug of war.

If you already have a remote dog trainer that offers both positive and negative reinforcement with tones, now would be a good opportunity to use it.

Consistency is Important

Once you’ve made up your mind that you want your dog to walk obediently beside you, don’t give in! Dogs can be easily confused when the rules aren’t consistent. Treat this as you would any other training session.

Practicing your dog's new skills in a familiar place, such as your driveway or backyard, is the best way to start to your training. After your dog has mastered his new leash walking skills, you can experiment with longer walks in unfamiliar places.

Perfection Comes With Practice

As with all dog training, teaching your dog to walk properly on a leash is an ongoing process. Don't expect instant understanding. Your dog may need more than one training session to fully understand what you're trying to teach him. Even after your dog has learned what is expected, you’ll still want to reinforce the behavior by occasionally using the distraction technique given above.

Don't be stingy with the praise and treats! Your dog loves receiving praise and rewards from you. The more praise you give when you “catch him” being good, the more likely he is to pay close attention to what you’re doing.

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