Nothing gives your dog greater pleasure than to be taken for a walk outside. This is a great time to bond with your dog and work on your dog training classes, however, most owners dont enjoy taking their dogs for a walk. And thats because theyre not taking the dog for a walkthe dog is taking them for a walk.

When our dogs leap around in delight at the mere sight of their leash in our hands, we often smile indulgently and think how adorable their excitement is. We struggle to keep them still just long enough to clip the leash onto their collar before they are off again. That is not how you want to train your dog to behave.

Even a small dog tugging incessantly on the end of its lead is not enjoyable; a large dog capable of pulling you off your feet is even less so. It is time again to remind your dog who is the leader and who is the follower. Every interaction with your dog is an opportunity to reinforce the basic precepts of dog training. Dont ignore this, thinking that a well-behaved dog doesnt enjoy walks as much as a boisterous one. Believe me, they do!

The first step is to insist your dog sit calmly while you strap on its lead. Ideally, your dog has already been trained to sit on command. Have your dog sit and then pause a moment to make sure he is calm. Attach the lead.

If the dog begins to jump around again, stop and command him to sit. Dont yell at him. You are training your dog that it is his own behaviour that delays his walk. Every time he sits quietly, immediately recognize and reward without getting him overly-excited. Once you attach his lead and he remains calm, only then do you take him outside.

The next thing is to let your dog relieve himself. Once that pressures off, your dog is going to be anxious to investigate every smell within sniffing distance, which is the main reason dogs pull so hard. If you pull back, their instinct is to pull harder, not ease up.

You have two options to train your dog to stop pulling on the leash. If he pulls, you can command him to sit, and refuse to move until he does, alternatively, you can do an abrupt about-face and begin walking in the opposite direction. Using the sit command works well with dogs that are fairly well trained; walking in the opposite direction is more effective if your dog tends to ignore you. You may feel a little silly at first but dont let that deter you. You are the leader and you choose in which direction to walk.

Every time the dog pulls ahead and you swiftly turn away, hell find himself behind you, forced to walk in the direction you dictate. The idea is to train your dog that pulling on the leash immediately stops the walk.

If you are vigilant, youll soon find your dog trotting alongside of you, waiting for your cue as to where to go. And everyone you pass will admire your well-trained dog!

There are a few different methods to train your dog to walk without pulling on his leash. There are also a few basic guidelines to remember when doing the training sessions.

* During the training process consider any walks you take your dog on as teaching sessions.

* Be sure to train frequently. Keep each session short and fun.

* Exercise your dog prior to having a training session. Dogs usually pull on their leash due to having excess energy.

* You will need plenty of rewards during the sessions. Use treats you know your dog loves. Soft treats work well. Make sure they are small bite size pieces.

* During the training sessions walk at a quick pace. Your dog is less likely to stop and sniff.

The first focus must be placed on how well your dog does when preparing for the walk. If he should get overly excited and start running around and making it difficult to put his leash on, there is a way to change this behavior into a more positive habit of your dog remaining still as you put his leash on.

To start, walk to the door and get his leash. Make sure he notices you picking up the leash and standing by the door he knows you leave from to take him for a walk. If he starts to race around, jump, spin, etc. be sure you stand still and do not say or do anything. Once he has calmed down a bit, then slowly place the leash on his collar.

If he starts to get excited again before you have the chance to clip the leash on, quickly take the leash and put your arms to the side of your body. Remember not to say or do anything and remain completely still. Repeat this process until your dog has calmed down,is sitting in front of you, and the leash can be put on. This will definitely pay off if you are consistent.

This method can be used with dogs who are able to remain in a sitting position and will come to you on command even if in a place with distractions.

Begin by walking in your intended direction. As soon as your dog reaches the end of his leash and pulls, stop dead in your tracks and wait. As soon as your dog stops pulling on the leash and allow slack in the leash, call him to you. When he obeys and comes to you, say the command word “sit”. Be sure to say “yes”and give him a treat as soon as he sits. Immediately begin walking again. If he pulls again, repeat the process of you stopping dead in your tracks.

You should reward your dog frequently as you are walking to show him how pleased you are with him staying next to or slightly ahead of you. With consistency, your dog will quickly learn if he stays near you or beside you,he gets treats and gets to keep walking.

He also learns if he pulls on his leash, its not a whole lot of fun since he does not get to keep walking and instead must come back to you and sit. If your dog should pull toward something he see’s, repeat the process of stopping and waiting for him to stop pulling on the leash and to come to you when given the command word.

Instead of rewarding him with a treat when he comes back to you,reward him with allowing him to see the object he was pulling towards. Be sure to say “yes” and give him enough slack to go see the object. You will notice after doing this for a week or two, that you will not be making as frequent of stops.

Another training method which might work for you and your dog is done by starting with your dog at your left side. Have a number of treats in your left hand.

Put your left hand in front of your dog’s nose. Say the command words “let’s walk”and begin walking in your intended direction. Every few seconds, give your dog a treat and do not forget to praise him for doing well by walking at your pace. If he should start to pull ahead or pull to the side,immediately stop again.

Say the command word “sit” and praise him when he sits down. Show your dog your left hand filled with treats and allow him to get a smell. Begin walking again.

Practice this method every day. Increase the distance you walk by a small amount each day. After you have done a weeks worth of this daily “lured” walking, stop luring him with your hand full of treats. Now show your dog your closed left hand as you did when it was filled with treats and say the command words “let’s walk”. Every few steps reward your dog with a treat you take out of your left pocket.

As soon as he is able to walk without pulling his leash for several minutes at a time, start gradually increasing the number of steps you take in between treats. This way your dog will be walking longer distances. The idea is to reward him every other step, then every 5 steps, every 10 steps, etc. You have reached your goal when you can walk with your left hand down at your side.

This method works only if your dog is not wearing a choke, pinch collar, or head halter. With a few dogs using the stopping and luring method with treats is not very successful. Instead of stopping that is used in the other methods which teach him when he pulls, this is a signal for you to turn and walk back to where you started at.

You will add a verbal warning with this method. Before your dog gets to the end of his leash, say the command word “easy.” When he slows down, say “yes” and call your dog to you. Give him a treat but continue walking. The idea is for your dog to come to the understanding that pulling on the leash results in unpleasant reprimanding of being checked against the end of his leash as he gets farther away.Use the same reward method as described in the previously described training methods.

This method is used with a dog that is not wearing a choke, pinch or prong collar. There are some dogs who respond better to a jerk on their collar when they pull.

You will need to hold the end of the leash at your left side, with a elbow bent. Make sure you never allow your dog to pull your arm straight.A warning to your dog needs to used with this method. Before your dog reaches the end of the leash, say the command word “easy.” If your dog slows down, respond with the word “yes” in an excited and praise tone. Call your dog to you and give him a treat.

Remember to keep walking. If he does not slow down and continues to pull, jerk firmly on the leash in a backward and upward direction.Make sure you firmly jerk his leash instead of pulling it. Always give your dog a treat and praise him for not pulling and for walking with you in the proper manner.

See this next article on how to train your dog by using a “clicker.”

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/276347_how-to-use-the-clicker-to-train-your-dog