Once you’ve found the right tool for walking your dog, the next step is equipment. This stage requires the owner to spend a lot of time with your pet dog. Because you need to guide and stimulate your pet through a range of words and behaviors.
Using the Equipment
Introductions
At first, make the dog get used to the equipment you plan to use. Let the dog or puppy wear it for a short time indoors. Play with the dog and give treats to connect the equipment with positive things. Leash time should be enjoyable for the dog; it should mean fun and food.
Cues
This is a basic step for teaching any behavior: teach the dog that a certain sound means food or a treat is coming. Some use clickers, others click their tongues. Using a word like “good” or “yes” is also common. No matter the cue, the method is the same: have the dog on the lead in a quiet and distraction-free area and make the sound. When the dog looks at you, give a treat. Soon the pup will come to you for the treat.
Luring to You
When the dog approaches you for a treat while wearing the leash, back up a few steps and give the dog a reward when it arrives. Keep the initial training sessions short to avoid overtaxing a beginner’s attention span. Continue until the dog, upon receiving the cue sound, approaches you and walks a few steps with you.
Work Indoors
The dog now knows that the sound means a reward is coming when approaching and walking a few steps. Practice walking while holding the leash, a few steps at a time, giving praise and rewards for good behavior. It’s easier to do this indoors as there are fewer distractions. The dog will still find the equipment distracting at this stage, so don’t rush to take it outside.
Take it Outside
New challenges await when you take the dog outside for the first few times. There’s a lot of sensory input that the dog will naturally pay attention to, and your job is to keep the dog’s attention on you. If the dog’s attention wanders or it looks like it’s about to lunge at a distraction, make the cue sound and keep moving a few steps to reward the dog’s following you with praise and a treat.