10 Essential Dog Walking Training Tips

Walks are an essential part of your pet’s daily routine, so it’s important to understand the best approach! Whether you’re teaching a new puppy the ropes on a walking session or reinforcing good habits, explore our ten must-know dog walking training techniques to guide you to a more pleasant and controlled walk with your pup!

1. Always Reward Good Leash Behavior

Reinforcing good behavior is key to dog walking training. When your dog walks calmy on the leash, reward them with things such as treats, praise, or a favorite toy! This positive reinforcement helps your dog associate walking nicely with something enjoyable.

Be sure to be consistent with your rewards to encourage your dog to repeat the desired behavior. Over time, this will make walks more pleasant for both you and your pet.

2. Teach “Leave It”

Teaching your dog the “leave it” command is an extremely valuable dog walking training tool. Dogs tend to get distracted by their surroundings, so this command helps them stay focused on you.

Common distractions the “leave it” command can be used for include:

• Trash or food on the ground
• Other animals or pets
• Unfamiliar objects or people

If your dog begins to pull or fixate on something, use this command firmly but also calmly and reward them when they redirect their focus back to you.

3. Let Your Pup Sniff Around

Sniffing is an important part of your dog’s daily exploration! And while it’s important to let them explore, it’s also important to ensure sniffing doesn’t lead to pulling or wandering too far from your side.

Some tips for including sniffing in your dog walking training without it leading to bad behavior include:

• Setting boundaries to prevent excessive pulling while sniffing
• Using a cue to redirect your dog back to walking
• Allowing routine sniffing “breaks” as part of your regular walking routine

4. Practice in a Controlled Environment

Before heading out to busy neighborhoods or crowded parks, begin your dog walking training in a calm and controlled environment such as your backyard or a quiet park. This lets your dog focus on learning without being overwhelmed with distractions.

Begin to gradually introduce more complex environments once your dog follows your commands without getting distracted.

5. Reward Check-Ins

Using frequent check-ins with your pup is a key dog walking training technique that helps reinforce focus. Be sure to reward your dog with praise when they look at you, listen to your commands, or return to your side during the walk.

This will help strengthen your bond and ensures your dog is staying focused on you.

6. Stick to a Routine

Just like humans, dogs thrive on routines, so it’s important to establish a consistent walking schedule! A regular routine not only ensures your pup gets enough exercise and mental stimulation, but also helps you stay accountable for daily walks.

Some dog walking training tools to ensure a consistent schedule include:

• Setting reminders on your phone to prompt you to walk at the same time each day
• Keeping a log or calendar to track your walks
• Using a specific cue or word that signals walking time to your dog

7. Use a Cue for Walking

Incorporating verbal cues such as “let’s go” or “walk time” is a great way to signal to your dog that it’s time for a walk. A few benefits of using verbal cues for walks include:

• Establishing clear communication between you and your dog
• Creating a predictable expectation, reducing anxiety and confusion
• Helping your dog associate the cue with the action of walking, making it easier to learn new commands

As an additional dog walking training tip, pair the cue with the action of grabbing the leash so your dog learns to associate the command with getting moving.

8. Consider the Weather

Weather conditions can impact both your dog’s comfort and behavior during walks, with poor weather potentially leading to a negative association with walking. For example, hot pavement can burn their paws, while cold weather may cause discomfort or even frost bite.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable walk, consider these dog walking training tips for different types of weather:

• During hot weather, protect your dog’s paws by using booties or walking on cooler surfaces such as grass
• In colder weather, dress your dog in a coat or sweater and be mindful of ice or snow

9. Avoid Retractable Leashes

While retractable leashes may seem convenient, they often lead to bad walking habits such as pulling or suddenly running off. Some benefits of using a standard leash during dog walking training include:

• Better control over your dog
• Reduced pulling
• Prevention of tangling
• Encouraging a consistent pace

10. Implement the “Stop and Go” Method

One of the most common dog walking training tools that owners implement is the “stop and go” method. This method is used when you stop walking immediately after your dog pulls on the leash. This teaches your pup that pulling you will not successfully get them where they want to go. Be sure to wait until they relax and return to your side before resuming the walk.

This technique reinforces the idea that walking calmy will lead to progress, while pulling on the leash will stop the walk.

Dog Walking Training Techniques Specifically for Puppies

Training a young puppy to go on walks with you can differ a bit from older dog walking training. Some tips to keep in mind when training puppies on walks include:

• Keep walks short and sweet – Remember that puppies have a lot of energy, but they also tend to have shorter attention spans. Make your initial walks short, around 10-15 minutes, to prevent overwhelming your puppy.
• Use high-value treats for focus – Puppies can easily get distracted by their surroundings, so use extra-tasty treats to help keep their attention on you. Whenever they look up at you or walk calmy by your side, be sure to reward them immediately!
• Use the “follow me” technique – Puppies are extremely curious and often want to explore their surroundings. Instead of forcing them to walk beside you, walk slowly ahead of them and use a happy and excited voice to get their attention to keep them moving in the right direction.

Choose Pet Palace for More Dog Walking Training Tools

Ready to take your pup’s training to the next level? Pet Palace has you covered! Whether you’re looking to improve basic dog walking training or tackle more advanced skills, our expert trainers use a mix of fun and effective techniques such as clicker training, marker training, positive reinforcement training, and more.

We’re excited to offer top-notch dog training services at the following locations:

Along with training, we also provide a full range of pet services including comfortable pet boarding for both dogs and cats, doggy day care, and pet grooming.

Ready to get started? Book your reservation today!

Reach Out to Pet Palace Today!

For more dog walking training tips, get in contact with our team. We are excited to meet you and your pup!

Categories: All Posts, Dogs, Tips for Your Pets