How to Enjoy Walking Your Dog

Tips on How to Walk you dog on a lead

REPARING TO WALK

• Place halter or lead on dog.
• Ensure your dog is next to you or slightly behind, close to your leg.

WALKING

• Start with the leg closest to your dog and exaggerate your first step with a command you wish to use consistently – eg. walk, go etc
• Stopping – stamp your foot, placing your feet together. Give the command ‘stop’ to your dog at the same time you stop i.e. don’t say stop then walk a step or 3.

SITTING

• When you stop, ask your dog to sit. Do not look at your dog. (This is a verbal command not a visual command). If you dog does not sit, place your hand on their bum and apply pressure to make them sit (DO NOT GIVE THEN EYE CONTACT)
• Once they have sat for 10 -15 seconds (depending on the age of your dog), reward your dog by placing your hand over their chest and patting. (It allows for greater control).
• Repeat the process of commencing walking, stopping and making the dog sit, and patting (DO NOT OVER REWARD YOUR DOG)

SNIFFING

• When your dog pulls to sniff, stop. Allow the do g to sniff (when you want them to, but don’t walk, just stop). Take Charge!

Note: When people come up to you, make sure they talk to you, not the dog. Then introduce your dog to the person. Try not to make your dog the centre of attention. (Remember – you have a pack animal)!

COMPLETION OF WALK – HOME

Give the dog some attention, pats, a fuss and a play with their favourite time. Differentiate walk time to play time.

CONTROL, CONTROL, CONTROL – REMEMBER YOU ARE THE BOSS!