Leash Manners

Leash work will take time, so don’t get discouraged! There are just a few tips to ALWAYS remember as you work through this:

1. Never practice with a destination in mind. Doing so will lead to you being inconsistent with your leash work, because at some point you just want to get where you’re going and will allow them to pull. Inconsistency breeds inconsistency - if you aren’t consistent with your dog with guidance they won’t know your expectations. 

2. Always keep the arm holding the main part of the lead relaxed. We need them to know that the sensation of a loose leash is desirable and indicates the proper position, and if your arm is tense, their natural reaction is to pull against it. This risks confusion as to when the leash feels right because they really never get it.

3. Mark and reward for a loose leash. If you’re looking for a “heel” we can get you there, but in the beginning we just want them to know that THIS is what we want until we release them to explore, sniff, or walk ahead.

4. Dogs who “choke themselves out” on their collar are uncomfortable, and they’re not making the connection between their behavior and their discomfort. They just know something around their neck hurts, and they try to get away from it…which causes more discomfort…which causes them to pull harder to get away from the discomfort…and we’re in a cycle. To avoid this, I recommend a good harness. Find one that has a ring in the front and in the back, but doesn’t mess with their gait. I like the Freedom No-Pull Harness because it has several points of adjustability.

5. UNFINISHED - BEAR WITH ME :)