The enjoyment of walking a dog is one of the many reasons why people choose to purchase a puppy and welcome a dog into their home. And dog walking can be a joy. It is an opportunity to exercise, bond, and explore new places. However, if your dog is improperly trained, it can become more of a nightmare.
Behaviors to avoid with your new puppy include pulling on the leash, zigzags, being unpredictable, or even refusing to move altogether. However, with the right dog walking training, you can both enjoy your time out together. If you have an older dog, it is never too late to learn some new techniques.
To start, select a well-fitting collar or harness, such as a front-clip harness, as they can help prevent pulling in excitable dogs. You will also need to choose the right leash; a 4-6 foot leash is ideal. However, avoid using a retractable leash during training, as they do not provide consistent control.
You should also choose some good quality, tasty treats for positive reinforcement training. Use these to reward and encourage good behavior. Make sure you also have your dog poop bags ready for those long walks and a poop bag dispenser if you wish.
Begin training indoors so your puppy can get accustomed to wearing a collar and leash with fewer distractions. Encourage your puppy to follow you, hold onto the leash, and reward your puppy with treats and praise when they walk well beside you. Keep the sessions to just 5 to 10 minutes, and increase the time as your puppy gets older.
Training a dog not to pull on a walk can be difficult. If your puppy starts to pull, stand still, wait for them to return, and then ease the leash tension once loose. Reward your puppy, and then you can try walking again. Keep repeating this until your puppy learns that pulling the leash is unsuccessful.
Positive reinforcement is when you reward your puppy with a treat for good behavior. You must reward immediately to connect the desirable behavior with the treat. Keep the treats in your pocket or a pouch on the handle of the leash. You might need to give your dog a treat every few steps or so. You do need a lot of patience when leash training a puppy. Obedience training is much more successful when it is consistent and regular.
Do not let your dog pull on the leash in any situation, whether excitedly greeting a new person or leaving the house. Only move forward when your dog is sitting and waiting calmly so you set the tone for all interactions.
If you want to move to the next training step, encourage your puppy with additional dog walking training commands such as heel. This more formal version of dog walking is where the dog trots directly beside you, either by your right or left heel. Continue to use positive reinforcement training techniques for good behavior, giving a treat when your dog is walking nicely beside you without pulling at all. You want your puppy to be consistently walking
beside you without moving on ahead at a faster pace.
Again, be consistent. Don’t let your puppy rush out of the door or back into the home. Or walk further ahead when they see a dog friend ahead. You should also make sure that everyone walking the dog uses the same dog-walking training techniques and commands for consistency so your puppy doesn’t receive mixed messages. And remember, if you’re struggling with training, seeking professional help, or attending obedience classes, they really can be worth it and make all the difference to how you enjoy your walks.
Keep your walks short to start with, especially when you move outside as there will be a lot of distractions. Especially if your dog is a breed that is known for tracking or hunting. As your puppy gets more used to being outside you can lengthen the walk as your puppy gets more used to how to behave outside.
A ‘red light, green light’ method can be helpful to keep you motivated with your puppy’s training. When your puppy is walking nicely, keep moving and reward. When they start to pull or misbehave, stop and wait until they stop and wait calmly by your side, and then resume walking again.
Be sure to wear the correct colors. Dogs can react better on walks when you're in specific colored clothing.
Remember to persevere and be patient when training your puppy. It does require a regular patient technique but having your puppy trained will ensure that they grow up into a well-behaved and adjusted dog. Don’t get cross with your dog as this will undo all your hard work and affect the trust and bond you have with your puppy.
Maintain good positive reinforcement techniques and build on your training as your puppy grows. You can start with a quiet area for your walks. When your puppy has gained more experience, then you can move to places with more distractions. Walking in busy parks, places with cyclists, and on paths beside roads are fantastic locations when you start taking them out. Your puppy must be acclimatized to different environments and social interactions.
Your puppy will grow up before you know it so make the most of that precious time and enjoy training your beloved pooch.
Dog walking training is a key skill to learn. If you can train your puppy to behave well on a leash, you will find dog walks a more enjoyable experience. It will help you build a strong and trusting bond with your dog. Ensure all family members and those who walk your puppy use the same commands and techniques for consistency. Be patient. It will take time. You can seek professional guidance if you struggle. But enjoy dog walking training with your new puppy!
19 June, 2025