When you were a little kid, your parents had to tie your shoes for you. Once you learned how to do it yourself, the grown-ups left you to it.
Your dog can’t tie shoes. But they can learn to walk politely on a loose leash. The hitch here is that you have to teach it in a way your dog will get the message and understand.
Breaking the Habit
If you’re just starting out with a puppy, the best way to teach loose-leash walking is to never let them start pulling. 3-Step Pattern Walking from day one works.
Teaching Pattern Walking to an older dog takes longer. Adult dogs have habits to overcome. If your dog already has a pulling habit, you may need a more immediate solution. That’s where the “Stop Dead!” game comes into play.
🛑 Before you start
The first time you play “Stop Dead!” you’re probably not going to get very far. It’s going to be tedious for you and frustrating for your dog. But it graphically demonstrates to your dog how they’re supposed to behave.
- Keep it short and fun: Like all training games, brevity is key.
- Gear up: Hook your dog up to their harness and head out.
- High-Value Rewards: Prepare with plenty of delicious treats.
⏱️ Timing is crucial
As soon as the leash is taut – stop. That may be right when you go out the door. It could be when you hit the sidewalk. Or turn the corner. Or your dog sees a SQUIRREL. You have to be prepared to stop in your tracks whenever that leash gets tight.
The “Subway-Rider’s” Stance
Around here, everybody recognizes the “El” posture: legs slightly apart, knees bent and bouncy, ready to absorb the impact. Especially if you have a big dog, assume this position when you “Stop Dead!”
The Next Hard Part: Silence
Don’t cajole your dog. Don’t say “here, Fido” or wiggle a treat at them. This is the crucial point where your dog has to figure out what to do to get you moving again.
- Stand firm as long as there’s tension in the leash.
- Wait for the slack. As soon as the leash goes loose (because they turned to look at you or backed up), tell them they’re good.
- Reward at your side. Offer the treat right next to your leg.
- Resume walking. You can walk, praise, and offer treats all at the same time.
Dogs can chew while they’re walking. Both dogs and people can multi-task. This is the time.
Case Study: Katie & Oscar
Most dogs figure out quickly that they control forward motion. We have a student, Katie, with a five-year-old Rottweiler named Oscar who would pull like a tugboat.
The first time Katie “Stopped Dead,” Oscar was so surprised he came back to see what was wrong. He got a treat, and they walked… for about two steps. Then he pulled again.
The second time, Oscar strained forward for 30 seconds. It felt like an eternity to Katie, but she stayed silent. When Oscar finally turned his head to look at her, the leash went slack. That was the “Aha!” moment. Oscar got his treat, and the next stretch lasted six steps instead of two.
For the lesson to be effective, you can’t help your dog figure out what to do. They have to puzzle it out for themselves.
💡 Be Patient
There’s a lot of stop-and-go in this game. You aren’t going to be running any errands the first time you play. However, each successive time you play, you’ll get a bit farther. Eventually, your dog will figure out that pulling doesn’t work.
Hopefully, your dog will be rewarding you with a loose leash and a happy trot in no time!