Leash Training a Puppy or Dog - Walking Two Dogs

by Judy
(Santa Fe, NM)

Leash Training a Dog or Puppy

Hi and thanks for your question - this is a very common problem and one that affects lots of dog owners. Sometimes problems like this need to be managed - can you walk them separately? Do you HAVE to walk them together? I would start by making sure that each dog is NOT pulling when they are walked alone. Use the below techniques separately, master them with each individual dog and then you can start walking the dogs together.

1. Make sure that your dog is quiet and you are in control before you even attach the leash - an excited dog before you even walk him is just waiting for your arm to be pulled from its socket.
2. Ask your dog to sit before you attach the leash
3. Do not start the walk until your dog is calm - and reward quiet behavior.
4. If your dog starts to wriggle and make a noise when you attach the leash - then get up and walk away - this will let your dog know that as soon as he starts to misbehave you will end the walk before it even starts.
5. You can repeat this for as long as it takes for your dog to be quiet and behave.
6. When you start the walk keep the leash very short - about six inches - do not use a long leash or retractable leash at this point. Wrap the remaining leash around your wrist.
7. If your dog starts to repeat the excited behavior - stop! This will let your dog know that whenever starts to pull the walk will end.
8. Now you have started walking - just walk a few steps (five or ten) and the change direction.
9. Now go in the opposite direction - take a few steps and repeat the exercise by going in the opposite direction again.
10. The aim of the game is to keep your dog guessing - you don't want your dog to be able to guess which direction you are going to be going in.
11. Run a little bit, go in between trees and keep changing directions you want your dog to be unable to guess where and in which direction you might be going.
12. Keep doing this (you can also do it with two dogs - do it for 20 minutes), eventually you will be able to start walking in the same direction (rather than waling in different directions). The aim of the exercise is for your dog to constantly look to you for leadership.
13. Mix up the changes in direction, how long your strides are and the speed - you don't want your dog to guess or learn to understand where you are going otherwise this will defeat the whole point.
14. If your dog starts to get stressed (as this is quite a demanding exercise) stop and take a break.
15. Anyway hope this helps
16. Below are some more links for you to take a look at.

Dog Obedience Training Online Guide

Leash Training a Puppy

Leash Training a Dog

Dog Lead Training