The Elusive Loose-Lead Walk
Loose-lead walking - one of the top points on a clients’ dog training wish list but also a skill that numerous dog owners struggle to train successfully.
Let’s breakdown why dog owners can find training their dog to walk on a loose-lead so challenging and cover some tips and best practices on how to teach it to your dog, along with how to prevent them slipping back to dragging you along on a walk.
There’s no tool on the market to solve lead pulling
Despite what manufacturers may have you thinking, there really is no tool on the market that will solve lead pulling by your dog simply wearing said tool. Front fixture harnesses, headcollars, figure of eight leads, slip leads, prong collars… the list of these falsely marketed products goes on and on. The understanding of yielding to lead pressure as opposed to pulling against it, can only be taught - by you!
So how do we teach an understanding of lead pressure?
The concept itself is simple - what most owners do not appreciate is that it is the consistency and clarity in communication that teaches an understanding of expectation.
The most simplified way to explain how to teach your dog an understanding of lead pressure if that when the lead is loose, your dog receives positive reinforcement, to encourage this behaviour, usually by being rewarded with food. So, when your dog is at your side and the lead is loose, you “pay” your dog in this position - meaning, reward your dog.
I suggest using a variable reward, so sometimes one piece of kibble/food, sometimes a few pieces - this method keeps your dog gambling to win more and wondering if THIS time they are rewarded will be a larger amount (I will go into the benefits of using a variable reward ratio in future posts).
When there is tension on the lead, your dog is at the end of the line and pulling to move forward - movement stops.
Access to a scent or area of interest is a reward to your dog in itself, so if you are following along while there is tension on the lead, of course this will continue! Our dogs are self rewarding the behaviour by being allowed to access the squirrel, scent or area of interest by pulling you.
Stopping in your tracks and simply waiting for your dog to realise they’re unable to move forward is a powerful way to teach this as once your dog creates slack in the lead, you can positively reinforce this by rewarding. Allowing your dog to discover how to access the reward themselves with no interference or verbal commands is a powerful way to do so - dogs are more likely to repeat behaviours they feel they discovered themselves (which is why free-shaping is such a popular way to train).
Stop focusing on the distance covered during your walk
If you’ve read the above and are imagining yourself only making it to the end of the road and back on your walk - you’re probably right. For the first few sessions, at least.
However - it should be noted that the benefit of a dog walk isn’t the distance covered if the training during this is poor. In short, if you’re going on a 3 mile walk with your dog dragging you at the end of the lead, you’re probably better off not bothering to go for a walk at all.
Behaviour we reward for is behaviour our dog is much more likely to offer. Which is why owners worrying about getting the 3 mile walk completed are left wondering why their dog has never learnt how to respond to lead pressure correctly. This applies to all dog training in that it is the substance of the session that matters, not the duration or miles completed.
If one of your concerns is that your dog has tonnes of energy to expend, you can put that worry to the back of your mind also.
Actively training with your dog where they are required to engage their brain to unlock reward and success is what expends the most energy in our dogs. This is exactly why we see dogs fast asleep after a short group session, in comparison to the same dog who’s usually still bouncing off the walls after a long hike - this is because they have been required to engage mentally as well as physically.
Start the work at home
Engaging with your dog before you even exit the front door can be the difference between a walk from hell and a successful session teaching loose-lead walking.
It doesn’t hurt to put the collar and lead on before heading out to the garden or even an inside space to practice some reps of loose-lead walking. Not only does it remove the anticipation that the lead and collar pre-empts access to the outdoors, but a low distraction environment is perfect for showing your dog the “picture” first.
What I mean here is simply showing your dog the expectation - several repetitions of your dog receiving reward in the desire position to positively reinforce this ready for your walk is worth taking the extra few minutes to do so.
Perfect your own handling!
Another perfect point to practice indoors for the benefit of both you and your dog is setting yourself up correctly handling-wise.
Have your rewards on the same side as your dog so that your dog isn’t encourage to cut across to receive the reward. A silicone pouch with either a belt strap or clip is a piece of kit I recommend to all clients so that it’s easy to use, clean and place in the correct position on your body. Attach the pouch to your hip on the same side that your dog walks on.
Get comfortable with managing the lead - lot’s of owners feel uncoordinated at first when shown how to correctly hold a lead, but it’s simpler than you may first think. I recommend holding the main handle in the hand opposite to the side your dog walks on, freeing up the hand closest to reward and also grab the lead when needed. Get used to looping up the lead to shorten, lengthening to allow more freedom and manoeuvring your dog without tugging and yanking.
Correct lead handling shouldn’t feel like you’re bell ringing at the church. With a little practice in quieter areas or at home, you’ll soon be a pro at managing all of your equipment on the go with ease.
Need Hands-On Help?
Loose lead walking is an essential skill for both you and your dog, making walks more enjoyable and stress-free. At ASCENDK9, we cover loose lead walking in all of our group lessons and sessions for both dogs and puppies, helping owners build better control and communication.
If you're struggling with pulling or distractions on walks and you’re based near Harlow, Essex or Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, booking a private in-person lesson is the perfect way to refine this technique with tailored guidance from our expert trainers. Whether in a group setting or one-on-one, we’ll help you and your dog master loose lead walking for happier, more relaxed outings!