It’s Easy to Teach Your Dog to Walk Beside You!!

Going out for walkies can be the most exciting part of your dog’s day. it's a great way to bond with your dog and get some exercise. Unfortunately, walks aren’t nearly as fun when your dog start pulling on their lead to get where they want faster. 

One of the most common reasons dogs pull on their lead is because they’ve learned that’s how they get to move forward. Whenever your dog pulls, taking just one step with them gives a clear signal that pulling works.

To make sure you’re safe from being pulled over, it’s important to teach them to walk calmly.

 The only thing that makes this skill challenging for your pup, is that all he wants to do is sniff absolutely everything along the way. He is not likely to be very happy with you keeping him on a leash that prevents him from doing so. However, once he gets used to being by your side, you can both enjoy long, calm, relaxing walks. 

Teaching your dog to walk with a loose lead takes a great deal of patience and time. But it’ll be well worth it when you’re out on a lovely, calm stroll with your best pal.

Choose equipment that is comfortable and safe

A quick Internet search will show you equipment that promises to ‘cure’ pulling. Some equipment causes pain or discomfort when the dog pulls by putting tension in a sensitive area. This is unnecessary and can be unpleasant and confusing for them.

Walk your dog using whatever piece of equipment is most comfortable for them (such as a flat harness or collar). This is a list of the best pulling equipement on Amazon: 

Start small

To start, you’ll need to find a good training space inside your home. A four-foot-by-four-foot area in your living room, bedroom, or any other clear space is perfect. Stay away from open windows and put away any toys to make sure your dog isn’t distracted for leash training.

Reward your dog when they are by your side

Starting in your home or garden where it’s calmer, reward your dog for sitting or standing by your side. It’s much easier for your dog to learn new behaviours in quiet places where they won’t be easily distracted. Practice without their lead to begin with, and then introduce it once your dog is reliably following you.

Turn before you walk

Before you and your buddy get to walking, you need to work on turning. To start, say the word “heel” one time. Start walking to your left to make a tight circle around your dog, a quarter of a circle at a time. During this, gently pull your dog back with the leash to make sure he stays at your side. Once a full circle is completed, stop and give your dog a treat while his head is next to your leg. Then repeat the whole process again.

Stop walking when the lead starts to tighten

Teach your dog that walking next to you with a loose lead means they get to move forward – and pulling means they don’t. The second the lead starts to tighten, stop walking. Stand still, keep quiet and don’t move forward again until the lead is slack. Don’t jerk the lead back or tell your dog off – just stand and wait calmly and quietly.

If your dog does not turn back to you, try walking a couple of steps in the opposite direction to get their focus back.

Practice walking outside

While you and your dog are ready to practice outside, it’s not quite time for a regular walk. There are many potential distractions outside of your home, so practice the figure eights, walking a few steps, and turning in your front yard before it’s time to hit the sidewalk.

I suggest taking a couple of days to train in your front yard or driveway before you move to the sidewalk. When you do, limit your steps on the sidewalk to five to 10 feet leading away from your house before turning back and repeating the pattern. Stretching out training like this will give your dog some sort of structure so that he realizes he should walk beside you instead of pulling.

Consistency is key

Be consistent with your training each time you go out with your dog. This may take time but will be well worth the effort in the end.

You should expect walks to take longer while your dog is learning. But if you stick with it, your reward will be enjoyable walkies with a calm, happy dog who no longer pulls.

The big walk

When you’re ready to venture beyond 10 feet of sidewalk, it’s time to take your dog for his first post-training walk. Make sure you have your dog at your left side, just like you did during training. Hold the end of the leash with your right hand and have your left hand about 12 to 18 inches away from your dog’s collar. It’s also very important to make sure that you keep some slack in the leash.

It’s also crucial that you stay aware of your surroundings and that your dog focuses on the lesson at hand. If you see another dog coming toward you, go on the other side of the street or find a place where you can step back and give your dog some space. A little anticipation will make sure your dog focuses on your walk and not on distractions.

Finally, there are times where your dog will need to go to the bathroom and pull in front for a bit. That’s completely fine. Once your dog has gone to the bathroom, clean up after him and give the heel command so that he can go back to your side.

Take Leash Training one Walk at a Time

Whether you just adopted a new puppy or need to retrain a pull-happy dog, it can take time for your furry friend to walk right by your side. However, that doesn’t mean that teaching your dog must feel like a chore. Leash training can be both a fun bonding experience and a serious training experience. If you stay diligent and make sure your dog is still excited to learn, the two of you will be able to walk side-by-side in time.