Loose leash walking is more than just a simple behavior; it’s a complex interplay between a dog, their handler, and the surrounding environment. Over the years, dog training methods have evolved, and so has the approach to teaching dogs to walk politely on a leash. While there’s no single magic bullet, combining several key strategies can significantly improve your dog’s walking behavior. This guide explores effective techniques to transform your walks from a struggle into a pleasant experience.
One of the most impactful adjustments you can make is using a longer leash. Studies suggest that dogs sniff more and exhibit slower heart rates when given more freedom on walks, indicating a more relaxed state. Giving your dog more room to explore and sniff not only benefits their emotional well-being but can also positively influence their walking behavior. When a dog is tethered by a short leash, they are often tempted by interesting stimuli just out of reach, inadvertently teaching them that pulling is necessary to get closer. A longer leash, ideally between 8 to 15 feet, can provide the necessary slack. Biothane leashes are a popular choice for their durability and flexibility. It’s generally recommended to attach a longer leash to the back clip of a non-restrictive harness rather than a collar or the front clip of a “no-pull” harness. Retractable leashes are not suitable for this purpose as they maintain constant tension. For puppies, a longer leash is particularly beneficial, allowing for natural exploration without the immediate onset of pulling, thus fostering a positive early relationship. Even for older dogs, a longer leash can reduce the struggle of walks and decrease the perceived value of pulling. By allowing dogs greater access to environmental rewards, you can effectively lower their desire to pull through satiation, a concept known as an “abolishing operation” in behavior analysis. This approach also helps avoid inadvertently reinforcing pulling and minimizes the need for punishment, which can lead to other behavioral issues. While a longer leash offers more freedom, it’s important to maintain control when necessary and teach your dog alternative behaviors for situations where they need to be kept close.
Mastering Leash Handling Skills
Even with a longer leash, maintaining slack is crucial. While the “opposition reflex” is often cited as the cause of pulling, it’s more beneficial to view a tight leash as a cue that can elicit pulling or other unwanted behaviors. When a dog pulls towards something and feels leash tension, they might pull harder to reach their goal. Similarly, if a dog jumps up for attention and the owner pulls back, inadvertently rewarding the jumping behavior, the tight leash can become associated with these actions. To manage leash tension effectively, handlers can learn specific skills. Techniques like the “gather,” where the leash is shortened efficiently without adding tension, and the “dip,” where leash tension cues the handler to lower their hands, can be pre-taught. It’s also beneficial to teach your dog that these actions cue them to orient towards you, signaling an upcoming positive interaction. This can be achieved by pairing the “dip” or “gather” with a click and a treat close to your body, eventually leading the dog to anticipate and look at you when these cues are given.
Reinforce Desired Behaviors, Not Just Outcomes
When teaching loose leash walking, focus on reinforcing the specific behaviors that lead to a slack leash, rather than just the end result of a loose leash itself. For instance, instead of rewarding the leash being loose, reinforce the dog for checking in with you, walking calmly beside you, or sniffing appropriately. Over-emphasizing the outcome can sometimes lead to unexpected or undesirable behaviors if the dog finds a way to achieve the “loose leash” state through less constructive means.
Cultivating Foundational Skills
A successful loose leash walk relies on teaching your dog several prerequisite skills in low-distraction environments. These include:
- Voluntary attention: Teach your dog that looking at you voluntarily results in positive reinforcement. Start at home and gradually introduce distractions, ensuring your dog understands that checking in with you is rewarding.
- Trotting beside you on cue: Reinforce your dog for staying close to your side and looking at you. Gradually introduce a cue for this behavior when you need it.
- Responding to leash cues: Teach your dog that movements like the “dip” and “gather” cue them to pay attention to you.
- Reacting to stops: Train your dog to anticipate when you stop, perhaps by offering a sit or wait cue, especially near potential hazards like blind corners or curbs.
- Managing tight leashes: Prepare your dog for situations where the leash might become tight. Teach them that tension can be a cue to turn away from an alluring stimulus and receive a reward, turning a potentially negative situation into a learning opportunity.
Strategic Treat Delivery
Deliver treats and other reinforcers with a clear purpose. Timing is essential; reward your dog when they are engaged in the desired behavior, such as trotting calmly beside you. The placement of the treat can also guide your dog’s next movement, whether it’s continuing forward or pausing for a sniff. For example, delivering a treat next to your hip can reinforce the default walking position, while tossing a treat slightly ahead can encourage forward movement and sniffing.
By implementing these strategies, you can foster a more harmonious and enjoyable walking experience with your canine companion. Remember that consistency, patience, and understanding your dog’s behavior are key to success in loose leash walking.
References
Dogfield Study Pulse Study. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.dogfieldstudy.com/en/pulse-study/at-the-heart-of-the-walk
Abolishing Operation. (n.d.). In ABA Terms. Retrieved from https://www.letslearnaba.com/aba-terms/motivating-operations/
APDT What’s Wrong with This Picture – Dogs. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.behaviorworks.org/files/articles/APDT%20What%27s%20Wrong%20with%20this%20Picture%20-%20Dogs.pdf
Stewart, G. (n.d.). Leash Skills. Retrieved from https://grishastewart.com/leash.pdf
Clicker Training. (n.d.). How to Teach Your Dog to Read Your Mind. Retrieved from https://www.clickertraining.com/how-to-teach-your-dog-to-read-your-mind
Branigan, H. (2020, January 28). Loose Leash Walking Part 1 [Audio podcast episode]. In Dog Training Podcast. Retrieved from https://soundcloud.com/hannah-branigan/90-loose-leash-walking-part-1
