Walking a dog should be a fun event for both the dog and
their handler. Many of us visually
witness inspirational examples of dogs walking well. Whether it is on T.V. where shows such as Cesar
Milan’s “The Dog Whisperer” transforms the most wily dogs to obedient angels or
even in our own observations where a dog is walking perfectly next to their
owner alongside a busy street, these examples brings about a desire to replicate
the same kind of success with our own dogs. Unfortunately, many exasperated dog owners experience just the
opposite. Constant pulling, lunging, and
barking (to name a few) can turn our own walk into an eventual nightmare. This oftentimes results in allowing the
misbehavior to continue, or abandoning the walk altogether. Although it seems hopeless, it is certainly
possible to redirect your dog’s on-leash behavior into a very pleasant
experience for both of you.
There is a sea of information available on the subject of
on-leash walking. Various tips and
techniques can be just as overwhelming as the problem behavior itself. Therefore, rather than add to the technique
file, I would rather take a different approach by providing you with the less
talked about elements to taking a dog for a walk. This brief list of insights will only aid in
your training efforts and serves to give you a better understanding of the learning
process in which all dogs go through.
Things to bear in mind when incorporating a routine are:
1. Carefully choose the method of obedience
training to follow and stick to it.
Conduct
research and talk to peers that have attained success with their own dogs about training styles that best
fit their belief system with regard to effective
teaching. I would encourage everyone to
put themselves in their dog’s paws in
seeking the most influential method using their past experiences in deciding what method works best. You may narrow your search by knowing that there are two types of training: A
training method that primarily employs
the use of punishment for when a dog misbehaves or
a method that consistently rewards dogs for when they do what you want them to. These methods are most commonly referred to
as “Traditional” and “Positive
Reinforcement”, respectively. Whatever
you decide, it is always best to
commit to the chosen method to avoid any confusion. Dogs learn best when there is an element of consistency to their training
routine.
2. Practice the techniques and add distractions as
the behavior improves.
I am often
asked, “how many times a day should I work with my dog?” The answer
to this question depends on the dog and how well they incorporate what was learned into their routine. A handler should also consider location and types of distractions present
when teaching proper technique. Most behaviorists initially recommend several brief
sessions and the least amount of
distractions. With regard to how many
sessions one can do in a day, think in
terms of our ability in acquiring a new language. A person can learn a great deal by spending a lot of time on the subject if he commits
himself to it on a daily basis, whereas
if one decides to study only once a week, the result
in learning takes a much longer time.
Therefore, it is quite common that
most dog trainers recommend incorporating multiple sessions throughout the day.
3. As your dog advances in his leash walking
ability, do a reconnaissance of your newly intended route if it is outside of
your immediate environment.
Careful
planning is a must when you have determined that both you and your dog are ready to make that leap beyond
your home environment. Unless you are familiar with the area that you intend to
take your dog to, be sure to do a thorough
check for the prevalence of other dogs, traffic flow, and type of environment. These factors can contribute to the success
or frustration that most handlers often
experience.
4. During your walks, avoid all distractions that
take your attention away from the dog.
Exposing a
dog to the novelties that the outside has to offer marks an exciting time for both of you. The dog’s impression of the new environment
can either cause fear or fun
depending on how much a handler pays attention to both their dog and cues of the environment. In a few of my past experiences working with a client’s dog, I can’t help but
notice the number of people absorbed
in their mobile devices while walking their dogs. More often than not, the dogs are often pulling or barking at my client and
everything else that comes within
sight. I often point out the lack of
attention from the owner as a behavior
that was created out of the offending handlers inattention
of their dog’s activities. Therefore,
paying attention is always key in
shaping the behavior and response that you want to obtain from your dog.
5. It is important to go into the training session
being as confident as you can be.
Being a
pillar for your dog to lean on during what they perceive as scary times is a state of mind that most
handlers have to develop. In addition, realizing that you are the source to your
dog’s comfort when faced with things
that can elicit fear should prompt most dog handlers to be the strength that their dog can draw positive feedback
from. Therefore, it is critical that handlers keep their own fears in check and
provide the confidence that the dog
needs to help him through his reaction. Developing
a loose leash walking protocol
and being as relaxed as one can be can easily be practiced at an environment allowing the least amount
of distractions.
There is much to prepare for when it comes to teaching your
dog to walk well. One can certainly
attain the success that he desires by not only developing an effective
technique, but by being mindful of the dog’s present skills to the distractions
that you choose to set before your dog.
Through successive training in a variety of environments, you will be
able to develop an understanding of the causes to your dog’s fears and how to
effectively deal with issues as they develop. As your dog becomes more and more confident working in a placid
environment, you will certainly want to add more challenges and locations to
expand both your horizons. Therefore it
is always best to seek out challenging yet safe areas so that you may continue in
your journey. However, it is important
to know that these areas will be challenging at first. By paying close attention to any areas of
your dog’s concern and maintaining a positive demeanor during your walk, you
will certainly be able to increase the level of confidence and attention that
you desire.
