But I Don't Want to Walk on a Lead!

Many dogs, if they could speak, would certainly tell you that. Instead, they let you know by biting the lead, turning and tangling in it, pulling at it, even hanging themselves up.  But don't listen to them! Most of the time, dogs need to be on the lead – for their own good.

Dogs walking free, without a lead, can be a danger to themselves and others, and, these dogs are usually not the very obedient ones because they do what they want. They'll dart across a road because they see another dog or a cat, or they run ahead because they know where to go and want to get home quickly.

Most dogs don’t like the lead at first, whether they are a pup or an adult.

Some dogs will resist with all their power and others just bite the line or roll on their back to show that this is not what they want.

Certainly, when an owner wants to teach an adult dog to walk on a lead, after the canine has been used to walking free, it will be much more difficult and will take more time. It is best to teach every dog to walk on the lead, even if you live in a lightly populated area where it is not really necessary. 

Under normal circumstances, it is not too difficult to teach a dog to walk on a lead. Here's one easy way: 

First, attach a little piece of light rope to the collar of the dog. Once the dog gets used to this, make the rope heavier or use a light-weight lead made out of nylon. Again, let the dog get used to this. Next, make the lead heavier until it has the weight of a normal leather or chain-link lead.

Each time you put the new lead on, reward your pet with a treat, play a game or feed him. If he shows fear at first, never comfort him because this way you tell him that he is right to be scared.

Once he is used to the line, make it longer and bring him outside. Act normal. Follow the dog in the beginning, and don't disrupt his movements. First the dog will be behind you, later next to you and finally he will go in front of you. Once he is used to the lead, you can teach him not to pull.

Do all this in a dog-friendly way, and never punish! The more you resist your dog, the more he'll resist you! Treat this training like a game – do it step by step.

Remember; never carry your dog, not even when he is very small. Dogs need their movement to stay healthy, and, by lifting your pet you make him too dependent on you, and there will be problems at a later stage in his life.

Also, don't show anger when training your pet to walk on a lead if he continues to resist.  Simply stop the walk and return home until the next session.

Do not expect a dog that has been chained up to understand that you are not the tree he was tied up to.

These dogs will pull more and be more difficult to teach. The best thing is to walk them three times a day and give them freedom in an enclosed area after their walks.  

Strong dogs? Stubborn dogs? Your local pet shop carries “halti” or “gentle leader," which is a good solution for dogs who continue to pull or for the owner who is not strong enough!