Table of contents
- Leash training for dogs: When your dog walks with you and not the other way around
- The role of the dog leash
- The dog’s leash jerk
- The dog’s equipment: collar or harness?
- Tips: Dog with leash
Leash training for dogs: When your dog walks with you and not the other way around
Who has ever been dragged through the woods by their dog like a piece of dead wood? It's not really the dog's job to make sure we're fit enough to keep up, is it? What's so bad about being forced to take five steps in one go? Well, you can tell yourself that, of course. But walking on a leash should be a key issue for every dog owner. It's not just about your dog walking "at heel" on a leash, but rather about a relaxed, harmonious relationship between you and your dog during the walk. The challenge often lies in the fact that many dog owners and trainers have different ideas about what walking on a leash actually means.
However, it would be better if we could make our dog – attention, key word – “leash-trained”.
What does leash walking really mean?
Leash walking is often misunderstood. Many people associate it with strict "heel walking", but that is only a small part of the whole. A dog that walks on a leash should be able to walk relaxed on a slack leash next to, in front of or behind you without pulling. The key is that your dog remains responsive at all times and reacts to your signals.
Why is leash walking so important?
Walking on a leash is not only a question of control, but also of well-being for both of you. A dog that constantly pulls on the leash not only causes stress, but also risks injuries to the neck or larynx. Especially with dogs that pull very hard, you should choose a well-fitting harness over a collar.
The role of the dog leash
The dog leash should be seen as a safety tool, not a training tool. Your dog will feel restricted in his freedom of movement when he is on a leash, which is understandable. However, it is important that your dog does not associate the leash with negative experiences such as pain or punishment. Instead, the leash should serve as a connection between you that provides security and orientation.
How to use a dog leash correctly
When training your dog to walk on a leash, it is important to avoid the so-called "leash jerk". This can be misunderstood by your dog and lead to uncertainty in your relationship. Instead, the focus should be on establishing clear and understandable communication with your dog.
Before the walk: The right preparation with the dog on the leash
A positive atmosphere and good planning are crucial for successful leash training. Before you go for a walk, think about the route you want to take and where there may be fewer distractions. A structured start where the leash is applied calmly and in a controlled manner will help keep your dog's excitement level low.
The dog’s leash jerk
The jerk on the leash is a hotly debated topic in many training situations. "Isn't it the same if I jerk the leash or if my dog pulls on the leash and the leash becomes tight as a result?" is one of the most common objections. The answer is no. Your dog can tell the difference very well. While the jerk on the leash requires active action from you, countering the pull of the dog is a passive behavior. At this point you decide how your dog will see you: as an impatient person who uses the leash as a means of punishment on impulse, or as a patient, confident partner who tries to understand mistakes.
If the tug comes in the wrong situation or at the wrong time, there is a risk that the dog's brain will associate the tug with the wrong circumstances. This in turn could lead to irritations in your relationship. It is therefore better to avoid tugging on the leash and look for another solution, such as working on the relationship and your dog's attention.
Why do we need the dog leash?
An untrained dog will always find it very irritating if you restrict its range of movement with a leash. So don't expect your animal to be excited when the snap hook clicks into place on the collar. As always when training a dog, it is important to make the animal aware of the advantages of walking on a leash. This means, above all, that you understand that the leash is not a training tool that is intended to punish and regulate, but rather it is simply there to keep your dog safe.
In plain language: Don't pull on the leash and pull your reluctant dog towards you with muscle power, but convince him to come to you in another way. Leash training only works if you manage to build a relationship with your dog that allows you to communicate with him.
If your dog pulls, do not punish him by tugging on the leash yourself. Yes, a pulling dog can be annoying. Control your emotions. If possible, your dog should not associate anything negative with the leash, especially not pain. This requires patience.
The dog’s equipment: collar or harness?
To paraphrase Hamlet: collar or harness, that is the question. Basically, any equipment is only as good as the person using it. Our tip: completely ignore all ideologies surrounding this topic and use common sense. Ultimately, both variants can be used. Appearance should not play a role in the decision. Functionality takes priority. The harness and collar must fit well. Your dog's larynx is located where the head meets the neck. The windpipe connects there. A well-fitting collar should therefore be put on so that it is below this point to avoid injuries. In my opinion, a collar would not be recommended for dogs that pull very hard.
Retriever leashes, i.e. leashes with a pull loop without a built-in stop, are not suitable for beginners. Later, when your dog no longer pulls and for dog sports, they are a practical solution. Please always use a built-in stop.
A dog weighing around 38 kilograms can exert up to 80 kiloponds of tension on the leash, roughly the force that occurs when a VW Polo drives off at full speed. If this pressure is applied to the dog's larynx, it can lead to serious injuries. That's why I recommend that beginners use a harness.
For training, we recommend a three-meter-long leash with a hand loop, not adjustable, without rings or fittings. Three meters gives you and your dog enough space to change direction and a certain amount of tolerance if your dog does not react immediately as desired. Biothane leashes are particularly recommended because they are easy to clean and very durable.
The leash-walking dog person
The important thing to remember about leash training is that not only does your dog have to learn to walk on a leash, but you do too. The leash, no matter how long it is, functions like an electrical conductor on an emotional level. Every emotion you experience is passed on to your dog like a signal. If the leash is constantly under tension, it signals to your dog that something is wrong.
If you use a three-meter-long leash, it is inevitable that the leash will sometimes get caught between your dog's legs. Don't start messing around now. Don't waste your time constantly pulling the leash out from under your dog. Your dog can still walk wonderfully, but he can also make it look as if nothing is going to happen. Remember, dogs are manipulators and messing around with the leash is just a lot of attention that they enjoy and that prevents them from having to devote themselves to the actual topic (walking on a leash).
We often see dog owners wrapping the leash around their wrists multiple times. It gives them a false sense of control. But wrapping the leash around the wrist stems from a deep-seated insecurity. Aside from that, it has the potential to cause injury. Unfortunately, it is the feeling of insecurity, not the feigned control, that gets through to your dog.
Tips: Dog with leash
What you need to pay attention to:
- Just hold the hand strap of the leash in your hand, you will automatically adopt a relaxed posture. Your dog will appreciate that.
- "Then I won't be able to pull it back if something happens," is a common objection. This isn't deep sea fishing, where you reel in the big fish with a fishing rod. This requires mental strength, not your biceps.
- Learn to think ahead. Observe and analyze your surroundings. Visualize the perfect walk in your mind's eye, not the mishaps that could happen.
- Avoid places with a lot of potential for distraction. Your own garden would be perfect to start with.
- Find out what makes your dog so excited that he starts pulling.
- Don't let "bad" memories control you. On the contrary, use them because they are an important reservoir of experiences.
- Make a personal hit list of nuisances. Every dog will have his preferences.
- Pulling on the leash usually occurs in combination with other problems. Only train one problem at a time, because the training approaches vary. This will make it easier for your dog to learn and avoid incorrect associations in the brain.
If you follow these tips, nothing will stand in the way of successful leash training.
