Written and shared by Beth Friedman of Canine Companion Consulting
Why do we use leashes? Mainly, it is because they are required by law in most places and are used for safety. Often the leash is also used for control. We like to think of the leash as like a seat belt, used for safety and not for control. You hope you won’t need it but it is there to protect you and your dog if you do need it. If we teach our canine companions how to walk on a loose leash and to respond to our voice, rather than a tug on the leash, the leash becomes just a safety device. At first, some people have difficulty seeing themselves and their dog getting from where they are now, to having a loose leash and working more as a team with their dog. With some patience and training change does happen. A wonderful illustration of this concept is described in the graphic below by Lilly Chin. If we can teach a whale to pee in a cup, a sea otter to go to his crate, a rhino to smile for teeth-brushing; without force or control, then we should also be able to teach a dog to walk politely on a loose leash without force or punishment. By the way, thinking about leashes, if you like to read and would like to better understand canine behavior, The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell is great book that is very informative and an easy read. Leash Reactive Dogs Leash Reactivity is one of the most common concerns we get called about. When I say leash reactivity, I am defining it as a dog that barks and lunges while on leash. There are three things you can do to prevent this, as well as help your canine companion do better on a walk. First, and most importantly, teach your dog to walk on a loose leash. This teamwork is so crucial to helping your dog not have bad feelings on a walk. Loose leash walking, to us, isn’t about control but is about working together. Second, sniffing is so important to dogs for enrichment so let them sniff and perhaps even direct the walk, at times. Third, use the right gear for walking; The tools matter. Don’t use tools that will cause pain such as a prong, shock, or choke collar as the fallout may increase the behaviors you are trying to extinguish. A leash with some length and a good harness are the ideal tools for good, loose leash walking. These three tips won’t help every dog in every situation but they will go a long way to having a peaceful walk for most dogs. If you need more assistance in this area, we have an on- demand webinar or are available to conduct private sessions to help you and your dog get on the right track
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