The peachy path to loose lead walking 🐕‍🦺

Loose lead walking is one of the biggest challenges for dog owners. We love our furry companions, but being dragged around town isn't fun for anyone. Mastering loose lead walking requires consistent effort, but the rewards are well worth it. As Mary, the founder of Peachy Dog Life, puts it:

“The journey from chase to chill is not easy, but it’s a journey worth going on.” — Mary, Founder of Peachy Dog Life

Don’t be too hard on yourself or your fluffy friend. Loose lead walking is hard, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding. Take the training process slowly, at a pace that works for both you and your dog. Make it fun with regular breaks for games and fusses. Consistency is key!

 

Walking an energetic dog can be a struggle. Working breeds, in particular, are always brimming with energy and often want to be a few steps ahead, nose to the ground.

Loose lead training should ideally begin early. Initially, a puppy's pulling might not seem like an issue, but as they grow, it becomes clear that training is necessary. Walks can turn into a tug of war, which isn’t fun for anyone. With dedication and the right methods, this can be changed.

Before diving into the training methods, consider the pyramid chart below. Think about where you are on the chart in terms of your loose lead journey. It’s normal to start in the red zone—annoyed, frustrated, and confused—but with research and practice, progress is achievable.

Loose lead training steps

The 1-5 step method:

Start with the basics. Take one step with your dog. If they stay by your side, reward them. Take two steps and reward if they're still with you. Continue increasing the steps, rewarding each time they’re still at your side.

This simple method lays the foundation for loose lead success without stressing you or your dog out. It’s an easy way to start teaching your dog that being by your side is the best place ever.

This can be started at home, in the garden, and then taken out on the town. Take it slow and keep it to just ten minutes a day—miracles don’t happen overnight. Sometimes, it's necessary to go back to this basic step now and then.

Tequila walking (minus the tequila)

Sorry friends, no tequila here! But hopefully just as much fun. This method involves making random turns during your walk. It keeps your dog on their toes (or paws!) and ensures they keep checking in with you to see what random move you’re going to make next.

Using a cue word like “this way” signals the turn, and rewarding the dog when they follow is powerful. This cue word can be used in various situations, such as diverting the dog from chasing a squirrel across the road. With practice, the dog will follow without hesitation.

Stop-start training:

Another gem! For this method, when your dog pulls, simply stop walking. Only move forward when the lead is slack and your dog looks at you. You can use a treat to reposition them if needed. This teaches your dog that pulling doesn’t get them anywhere, and that they’ll only move forward (towards whatever smell they want to get at) when they are by your side.

Top tip: Don’t make the mistake of treating your dog when they return to your side after pulling. Instead, simply move forward again. Reward only after they stay by your side for a few steps.

Location proofing:

This one is SO important and often forgotten. A dog might walk perfectly on regular routes, but new locations can cause them to forget their training. Location-proofing the behaviour is essential.

Train your pup in various locations to reinforce the behaviour no matter where you are. Start with familiar walks and gradually introduce new places. This helps your dog understand that loose lead walking applies everywhere.

Top tip: The best way to location-proof is to go somewhere new with the sole intention of training. Drive to a new dog park or woodland, spend 10-20 minutes going through the steps above, and then have a small walk or return home. This teaches your dog that no matter where you go, they should always walk nicely on the lead.

Combine and reinforce

Once your dog masters these steps, combine them during walks to keep things fresh and consistent. Randomly switching between methods keeps your dog engaged and reinforces the training.

Here’s the loose lead pyramid again, this time with the steps included at each stage. Take a screenshot or a photo and see if these steps help you and your dog with loose lead walking.

Today, many dogs become amazing at loose lead walking. There will still be off days, but the bond between owner and dog will be stronger, and walks will be enjoyable again. Remember, it’s a journey, not a destination. It can take a year and a half to be mostly in the top two zones of the pyramid, but it’s a journey worth pursuing!

 

💬 Did this blog post help you and your dog with loose lead walking? Let us know on social media @peachydoglifeuk