Four Legged Scholars LLC – Dog Training – Ravenna and Surrounding Areas
Are you sick of your dog pulling you on leash walks? Are you constantly feeling stressed when you walk your dog? You are not alone and we can help.
We have helped many dogs learn to walk nicely on the leash and you can get your dog to do this too. There are many areas in Ohio to walk your dog on leash so we need to focus on dog training. Ravenna especially has many sidewalks to walk your dog.
However, your dog needs to be on leash. As a result, this is important skill for your dog to learn and will create much more happiness on your leash walks.
Yesterday, I was at the Portage County Dog Warden, and I was working on leash walking during my dog training. Ravenna is where the Dog Warden is located. I worked with Tulip, a Shar-Pei mix.
We went outside to work on leash walking. The first step with getting your dog to walk on the leash is to be prepared. Make sure you have plenty of treats, have a treat bag, have a clicker, have the appropriate leash for you dog and are dressed appropriately.
I had plenty of pea sized treats. They were contained in a treat bag that I wore around my waist. As a result, I had easy access to the treats. Of course, I had my clicker because I know how much they help when training a new behavior during dog training. Ravenna was cold that day so I also had to dress warm.
I wore a warm coat, hat and thin gloves that still allowed me to use the clicker and easily give treats. Dressing warm and having the right tools is going to allow yourself to be happier and create more success during your dog training.
I recommend walking your dog on a cloth or leather leash that is 4-6 feet in length. Flexi-leads allow your dog to run around everywhere and will make the loose leash walking boundaries difficult for your dog to understand. Chain leashes can hurt your dog.
A flat collar can work great for some dogs. Other dogs work best on a front hook harness. I love the Softouch Concepts brand. However, I recently discovered that Victoria Stillwell just designed a new harness that comes highly recommended and may work better than just the traditional front hook harness.
A head collar such as a halti or gentle leader can work well. Please stay away from choke collars, prong collars or any other painful tool during your dog training. Ravenna pet stores will sell them but science has proven that harsh training methods can create more harm than good.
I walked Tulip on a regular leash. We worked on changing directions when she pulled on the leash and when she walking nicely on the leash, I would click and treat.
Imagine wanting to walk in a certain direction. When you pull you no longer get to walk in that direction. When you walk loosely leash on the leash, you get to continue walking in that direction.
You also get treats for walking with a loose leash. In time, you will realize that it pays off to walk with a loose leash. Unfortunately, your dog will not learn this overnight so you will have to be consistent to create leash walking obedience. Ravenna has many sidewalks where you can practice this exercise.
This also brings up another important point. Start by walking your dog in low distracting areas so that it is easy for your dog to learn.
Also keep your walks short so that you and / or your dog don’t get frustrated.
Lastly, don’t focus on getting to a destination. Focus on training your dog. You may be walking back and forth for
quite a bit of time.
If you need help with your dog training, Four Legged Scholars LLC, Dog Training, Ravenna would love help you.
Please also check out Tulip at the Portage County Dog Warden. She would love a new home.
Johanna Teresi, Ravenna Dog Trainer and Owner of Four Legged Scholars LLC, Dog Training, Ravenna, Ohio and Surrounding Areas
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