Leash Training Your Dog

If you watch a pack of dogs, you do not see them walk side-by-side - it does not come naturally to a dog. There is only one good reason for a dog to heel and walk at your side, and that is because it is pleasant and comfortable for him to do so. If your dog experiences nothing but a sharp jerk round the neck with a harsh voice command to heel, that is not very pleasant for the dog to want to be next to your side.

Your dog will learn nothing if the lead remains tight all the time, except to pull against it all the time. The earlier you start teaching your pup to heel, the better. The first step is to get your dog used to having a collar and attached lead. Putting a collar and lead on your dog should not be a traumatic event, but done gradually with fun. Play and have fun with your dog with the leash and collar present. Gradually the dog begins to associate fun with the leash and collar. As you gradually mold your dog's association with the leash and collar, attach it to him and continue to encourage your dog to play with it attached. Progress slowly at your dog's own pace, and eventually to the stage where a little pull on the collar indicates to the dog that he can come and play and get more attention. So after a while, a little tug is always associated with pleasure.

Using a toy or treat, play with your dog while holding the leash. Gently maneuver your dog onto your left side while still playing with him and take a couple of steps with your dog while giving him a light command of 'Heel.' After you have been doing this for several days, you can then use the toy or treat as a tease or motivation for taking one or two steps with you while giving the command 'heel.' Then throw the toy for him to chase or give your dog the treat. The one or two steps can gradually be increased to three or four steps, then five or six, and so on. Soon your dog will be walking by your side at your heel and enjoying it. Do not try to go too fast. Within a few weeks you dog will be happy to walk at your side as the command 'heel' triggers nothing but pleasure.