Do You Walk Your Dog or Does He Walk You?

Great Tips for Walking Your Dog

When you take your dog for a walk, do you lead or does he? It’s not at all uncommon to see a dog drag his owner down the sidewalk or across the park as they struggle to get some type of control over their pet. While this may look a little comical to those watching, it can be very aggravating and upsetting when you’re the dog’s owner.

No one wants to be the person being dragged along behind a very hyperactive dog who is way too excited about going for a walk. It’s embarrassing to not have control of your pet but more importantly, you could cause an accident by running into someone or causing them to trip over the leash stretched out between you and your pet.

Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to this ever so common problem. All you need to do is train your dog to walk the way you want her to. Of course, that’s going to take some time and effort on your part but it is possible. Some dogs learn faster than others but all dogs, regardless of their age, can be taught to walk alongside you instead of pulling you around. Here are a few tips that can help.

Understand the Dog’s Point of View

Contrary to what it may feel like, dogs don’t pull you to be annoying. They do it because they want to sniff and explore the new surroundings. He wants to meet the other animals and leave his scent on all the bushes, trees, fire hydrants, poles, etc. he sees along the way.

To learn how to deal with this problem, you need to understand the dog’s point of view. If you allow her to pull you around, then she thinks it’s okay to keep doing it. Dogs don’t just know by instinct that they are doing something wrong. This is something that you need to teach them. As a result, the longer you allow this type of behavior to go on, the more of a habit it will become. In her mind, pulling you around means she gets to go for a walk.

Reward Him for Good Behavior

Rewarding your dog for good behavior is one way to help teach him how to walk on a leash the right way. When you take your dog for a walk, take along some treats. Use them to help teach your dog to stay by your side. It doesn’t matter what method you use to reward your pet as long as you stay persistent and follow the same method each time you take your dog for a walk.

Stand Your Ground

When walking your dog, stand your ground. Do not allow her to pull you around. Give the leash a tug to remind her to come back to your side if she starts pulling but if she doesn’t come back, stop walking and stand where you are. Stay in your position until she returns to your side where she should be. Then reward her for coming back and continue the walk.

The earlier you start training your dog to walk with you in harmony the better. If you have a new puppy, start his training while he is still young. However, don’t let age stop you from getting control of your pet. Dogs of all ages can be trained. You’ll both enjoy your walks so much more when you have an understanding and you walk together.

About the Guest Author:

Thanks to Lisa for this great post about tips for walking your dog.  Doggie Clothesline has a wide selection of dog harnesses that can help you keep your pet secured when out in public.