4 tips to train your dog to walk on a leash when they won’t listen to you from a dog behaviorist

Share

By Chaitra Krishnamurthy

28 June 2024

Some dogs can’t wait to go on walks, others not so much. But when it comes to walking on a leash, even the most excited pooches can show resistance.

Dog behaviorist and psychologist Steve Del Savio, who previously outlined one big mistake to avoid while introducing newborns to a dog, shares simple tricks to make your furry friend walk on a leash.

How to make a dog walk on the leash

Often dogs act out due to underlying issues, which need to be identified to fix their behavior. Your pooch’s resistance to walking on a leash can stem from different reasons, says the expert.

Motivate them

Even dogs find it difficult to perform basic tasks when lacking in motivation. It’s your job as a pet parent to make them want to go on walks using different methods.

• WATCH OUT: 6 harmful foods you need to keep your dog away from this summer

The motivation could be in the form of food such as doggy treats, toys, or just verbal cues. Something as basic as: “Let’s go buddy, it’s time to go,” can condition and motivate your dog to go on walks whenever you say it.

Don’t ask

Steve says you should never ask your dog if it wants to go on a walk or follow it up with questions such as “What’s wrong?” or “Could you come with me?”

The questioning voice will not be viewed as a certain cue by your dog, which further demotivates it to go on walks.

Hold the leash correctly

Don’t hold the leash too close to the dog when it refuses to walk. You also shouldn’t pull on the leash and force them to walk.

“Instead, use the whole leash, face the other direction and just start to go,” he says. Your dog will automatically follow your lead.

@packleaderdogs

Do you are a dog who refuses to walk on leash? Here are some tips you can try to get your dog moving on the walk. One thing I want to add is that many dogs who refuse to walk on leash have a resistance mindset, meaning they resist taking direction from their human. Why would they want to resist their human? If the human in the relationship is not behaving as a leader, it will cause a dog instinctually to not want to take direction from that human. A dog refusing to walk on leash will cause a human to rationalize and believe, “My dog doesn’t want to walk.” In reality, the dog doesn’t want to walk for that human. Then, the human believes they have an issue with leash walking, and that is what needs to be remedied. Why I’ve had so much success with clients after other trainers or behaviorists have failed to get results is because I get people to see the big picture. What do I mean by that? It’s understanding Dog Psychology, understanding our own energy, understanding our dogs’ energy, and understanding that everything that happens with your dog affects that relationship. Let’s say a human allows their dog to invade their space and lets their dog jump on them without inviting it. That could be a factor in why the dog refuses to walk on leash. Everything matters in the relationship. Dogs instinctually are seeking leaders, a parent figure, to follow in the human world we brought them into. Once you understand Dog Psychology, you’ll understand what you need to do in almost all situations. Then, it’s catching your habits, like petting your dog when they’re anxious or allowing your dog to demand affection. Remember, it’s the human behind the dog that matters the most. How conscious are they? Do they understand Dog Psychology? Are they willing to change? Dogs want us to be the best version of our nature self! Their loyalty cannot be bribed, bought, or done for you. They don’t care about money, power, or fame in the human-made world. YOU need to earn loyalty yourself, from within, and that’s what’s amazing about nature!❤️

♬ original sound – Pack Leader Dogs

Pressure and release method

It’s a common practice among dog walkers, to pull the leash harder when the dog resists walking. The expert advises against this.

He says if your dog refuses to walk at first, but moves a little, you shouldn’t continue pulling the leash because the pressure makes them resist.

“What you want to do is as the moment you start putting pressure and the dog starts to go, you release the pressure on the leash,” he explains. The release of pressure communicates to the dog what you expect them to do – keep walking.

Steve Del Savio is a dog psychology and behavior expert with over 15 years of experience. He is the Owner & Founder of Pack Leader Dogs, who has turned his passion for animals and their behavior into a flourishing career in dog training, according to the official website.

• SCARY: Tennis balls are a serious health hazard for your pet, behaviorist warns