If your dog habitually lunges at things on the leash, it may be difficult to enjoy a daily walk.
Today, discover some tips to improve your dog’s leash behavior.
In this episode, you will learn enhanced techniques for handling the leash and working with your dog.
Show Highlights
- This episode is for you if your dog:
- Loves to chase people, animals, etc.
- Sees something and wants to go after it
- Pulls your arm out of socket lunging after things
- If you give your dog opportunities to run and get the “zoomies” out, then you can have a really great walk and teach her how to behave in other situations
- This is something you have to perpetually be aware of – especially if you have a young puppy
- Using specific leash-handling tools, there are ways to minimize issues
- Ep 030 – Leash Handling 101 is a good reference and the membership has a free video to help you with this as well
- Giving your dog healthy activities and the process of allowing your dog to get the “zoomies” out
- Dog park is a great way to do that or taking your dog to a big area and letting them play chase or throwing the ball
- Some issues at the dog park – one dog starts running and other dog starts chasing it and then it turns into a dominance issue
- It needs to be a healthy activity where bullying will not be a problem – just always know the rules and follow the rules, especially at the dog park
- Keep in mind you want your dog to know it is ok to chase
- The dog park is not only for throwing the ball but also for socialization
- Be aware of how your dog reacts to other dogs and other people because you don’t want your dog to be stressed out
- Dogs are prey animals and they want to go after things such as animals or cars
- When they are on the leash and on a walk they have rules and they are not allowed to lunge
- Dogs eyesight is geared toward movement, and their instinct is to go after whatever is moving
- Reference Bennie’s Off-leash training – Ep 058 – Rule #3 – it will assist you in understanding the importance of the leash and how it is the extension of the owner and creates boundaries and structure for your dog
- It is up to you to make sure your dog knows how to behave when on the leash and what the rules and structure are
Homework
Learn how to work on your dog in scenarios when she would likely lunge at something
- You have to set up a temptation for them to want to lunge, e.g.
- Go to a park when it is not crowded and the squirrels and rabbits are everywhere
- Walk around the neighborhood when you know there will be a lot of other people around and your dog will want to lunge
- The size of your dog is going to need to be considered with how much exposure you want to give your dog
- Keep in mind the stress level of your dog
- If it’s your first time – start out with possibly a dog behind the fence and only do 2 or 3 passes by the dog
- Ep 30 – handling the leash and what types of leashes there are
- Do’s and Don’ts on how to handle the leash when walking your dog
- Don’t ever wrap your leash around your arm
- Big dogs can and will pull you down and you could hurt
- Use a 5′-6’ training leash and loop it over your hand or your thumb and you grab the rest of it with your fist then you can have a lot control
- Learn to use it like a fishing line – hook it and guide it towards you while you slowly reel it in
- Extendable leash – your dog can get very far away and a small or medium size dog can take you down if your dog is extended out far on the leash.
- On an extended leash, it can also get wrapped around and you could get hurt
- You need to work on keeping your dog close to you and if you are having an issue, bring them back to you immediately and get past the thing that is distracting, then slowly let them have more space on the leash
- This method allows them to learn how to walk on the leash properly
- If you handle the leash appropriately, it will already be safer for both you and your dog
- The goal is to create a comfort area within a few feet from you for you and your dog
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