Walking the Dog
How do you walk your dog? On leash, off leash? Does she pull on the leash or run ahead off leash? Does he bark at other people or dogs on a walk?
Mastering the walk is an essential part of being your dogs leader.
Your internal energy runs down the leash to your dog. If you are nervous or tense your dog will know it and will react accordingly. To be a good leader it is important to project calm and in control, assertive, energy around your dog. Dogs will not follow unstable energy. When you are not calm or in control they want to take the leadership roll and this is when dog issues begin.
It is best to use a short leash for more control when and if you need it. Up high on the neck behind the ears is for the best control. Your dog should always be at your side. If he is ahead of you he is the leader. Not the position you want your dog to take. The flexi leash is not a good tool because it makes your dog feel he has freedom during the walk. There is always time to share freedom later in the walk. But this freedom is controlled by you. Dogs thrive on structure and consistency.
Putting on the leash and leaving the house for the walk is an important exercise. Your leadership should start before the walk even begins.
Make sure that your dog is sitting and calm before you put on the leash. Then he needs to be calm when the door opens. You go out first then your dog comes out. You are her leader. Having him calm before going on the walk cuts down on the excitement and the bad behavior. Don't get me wrong. Excitement can be ok at a mild level when playing. But not on a walk. The walk is first to bond the two of you and show your leadership, second, for exercise, and third, for your dog to explore.
Do whatever it takes to own your calm and in control energy and project it through the leash and to your dog. Start to be aware of how you feel before you walk your dog and calm yourself so you can calm your dog too. Your dog picks up on every signal you send, even if you are not aware of it.
Now that you have been walking uninterrupted for a few minutes you can release the leash and let him go ahead of you to sniff, pee, explore a bit. Then have him come back to your side. This is the freedom your dog needs, but with rules, boundaries, and limitations. When you are both tired out it's time for some affection. As long as she is calm first, you never want to give affection to an unstable dog energy, such as jumping up or excitement.
Your dog will respect you for the rules because it shows them where they fit in and what you expect of them. You are their leader and they need to have that in an owner, then affection.
Master the walk and you are on your way to being a great dog leader and owner.
