The Proper Way to Walk Your Dog on a Leash
2009-11-23

Walk your dog, do not let your dog walk you. If you allow your dog to walk in front of you while on a lead you are reinforcing in the dog's mind that the dog is amazing. Leader goes first. This can lead to many behavioral issues that some regard as a "Breed Trait" or "Personality" when actually it is just your dog in charge of it's humans. A dog walking in front does not drain their mental energy. They are not relaxed and following, as they have a big responsibility to be leading the pack. This mental anguish can build up inside of a dog. When a dog is hyper or high strung it means the dog is not getting the proper amount and or type of exercise.

Keep in mind it is not solely the act of heeling, but also that you as the human are making the decision for the dog to heel. How often do you walk? Do you MAKE your dog heel or does the dog heel when it pleases just because it gets tired. Just because a dog walks well on a lead, not pulling and for most of the walk walks beside the humans does not mean the humans are being pack leaders. It really is about who is making the decisions. Was your dog calm and in a submissive state of mind when you snapped on their lead? When you left your home who went out the doorway and/or gate first? You or the dog? Is the dog deciding to heel when it wishes, but pulling to the side to sniff or walk out in front when it pleases? Or is the human consciously making the dog heel? If the humans allow the dog to decide because after all he walks "pretty good", then the dog is making the calls and that is allowing your dog to be your leader. If it is all about who is making the decisions, can I decide to let my dog walk in front? No, since instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, your decision to allow your dog to walk in front will be communicating to your dog that you are allowing him to be your leader.