The Importance of a Leash

A leash is one of the first pieces of equipment you buy for your dog but have you ever thought how to use it?

There is actually a correct way to use the leash to make sure you are communicating to your dog what you want from them. Must owners just clip it to their dogs collar and leave for a walk.

Next time, before you leave take some time to introduce the feeling of the leash. What do I mean?

Instead of your dog feeling the leash tighten around their neck and you just letting them keep pulling. Try conditioning them to give into the feeling of the leash. When they start to lean against it to go ahead of you, make a 180 turn while putting some pressure on the leash as you turn to walk the opposite direction from where they are headed. By doing this you are working on understanding that when they feel the leash tighten around thier neck (also known as pressure on) you want them to move in your direction. Then once you see them step in your direction and follow you, relax the leash (pressure off) and keep walking. Repeat these 180 turns until your dog understand that they don’t get to go forward unless they are relaxed and following you.

A video of this drill will be a. future blog post. Stay tuned!