Tips for Better Walks with Your Dog - Loose Lead Walking

Often when we go for a walk, the motion is focused on moving forwards, and usually in a straight line. But, this is a prime pulling position for our dogs, so let's look at how we can ease that by breaking our walk into segments. This is a great tip for loose lead walking.

Not only should this help with pulling, but your dog's engagement with you, and their overall enjoyment of the walk. It may be particularly useful for high energy dogs, or dogs that can get easily frustrated or stressed. Use this to aid your training - it probably won't solve the problem on its own

I've created the image below to try and give an idea of what my walk might look like:

A visual representation of breaking your walk into segments

- At Point 1, we have a patch of grass (it doesn't have to be as long as the image). Here, I might use some pieces of food scattered across the grass to create my own natural snuffle mat. Sniffing is a great calming behaviour, and can help to release extra energy too

- At Point 2, we have a tree. Here, I might have some squeezy cheese and spread a small amount onto the bark to make my own natural lickmat. Sometimes, if I'm using food rewards such as cheese, sausage or pate, I'll squish this into the bark too. Similarly to above, licking is a great calming behaviour, and can get our dogs to stop and think for a second

- At Point 3, we have a bench. I have a few options here - sometimes I'll use the bench as a place to stop and sit for a second, perhaps introducing some settle training with my dog while watching the world go by. Sometimes, I'll use it as a makeshift platform to play around with - for example, asking my dog to put their 2 front paws onto the bench

The image is only an example of what I may seek out and use, so have a think on your next walk where you could plot your points. The main thing I am looking to achieve with my segments is that my dog is interacting with the environment, led by me, that gives us even a few seconds away from our walking trail

Have a try, and let us know how you get on!

Emma, Elmtree Dogs

(BSc, MSc Animal Behaviour & Training, UKSD Scent Detection Instructor)