Walking on a Leash and Staying: Two Significant Commands
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Many dogs have an aggressive side, and you often see this when they are on leashes. Dogs that are normally well-behaved can lunge and snarl at other dogs and people as you walk down the street. While he needs exercise, you do not want to put others at risk. What can you do about leash aggression?
Exercise is essential for all dogs, and there are ways you can correct your dog’s behavior so you can both get out and enjoy the fresh air. Walks don’t need to be dreaded, just handled in a careful and consistent manner.
If your dog seems like he is about to become aggressive, divert him with a command like sit or down. This will keep him occupied and should reroute his attention.
Dogs often become very aggressive when they meet other dogs. If your dog does this, it is important that you not physically react when you see a dog on your route. Your dog can pick up on your body signals and will be much more apt to act up. Stay calm and keep the leash firmly in hand without pulling or tensing.
Some dogs may require a gentle leader harness or muzzle. These should only be used temporarily until your dog learns not to lunge. If you have a dog who is a danger, they can keep others safe. This is the first priority.
At this point, if the leash aggression isn’t being eliminated, you might consider a trainer. It can become very dangerous to other people and dogs in your neighborhood.
Many dogs pull on their leashes, especially when they are first being trained. Stopping this behavior as soon as possible is important. It can lead to more annoyance at the very least. At worst, it can hurt a person, pet, and you. Start early before you have to take more drastic measures.
Teaching your dog to stay can be an immensely useful command, and it will definitely impress other dog owners. As always, use goodies and praise to help you teach. You can use dog obedience training to enhance your results.
First, tell your dog to sit or lie. When he does, put your hand, palm towards the dog, and say, “Stay.” Use a firm voice.
When your dog stays, praise him immediately. Likely your dog will only be able to stay for a second or two at first. This is great; it’s a terrific beginning, and he will be able to do it for longer periods as he practices.
Give the release command – say “Ok,” or “Come” - so your dog knows he doesn’t have to lie down any longer. Feed him a treat and lots of praise. Giving rewards is a key element of the process when it comes to things like puppy training tips.
As you work on the stay command, demand that your dog stay for longer periods of time. Don’t give him his treat until he performs to your satisfcation. Have him do a little more each time.
You don’t want to practice for an hour though. Keep your training sessions short and sweet. Make them fun for your dog, provide lots of praise and rewards, and you’ll get results. Five to ten minutes is a great amount of time for each training session, and you can do it several times a day.
Another way that dogs are like children is that they have short attention spans! If you require him to train for longer than ten minutes, he is likely to become obstinate and disobedient. Also keep in mind that he’ll have to have a lot of practice in order to perfect the command. Repeat “Stay” several times and be prepared to reteach him the command a few times.
If you keep working, your dog will be able to stay for longer periods. You’ll be impressed when he stays even when you leave the room. Treats will become unnecessary after training, but praise is never obsolete. Let your dog know when he is doing a good job.
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