As a professional dog trainer, Lucy Heath knows first-hand that you absolutely can teach an old dog new tricks.
Teach your dog with loving kindness to walk nicely and not pull on the lead
There are different methodologies for training dogs. Some of them work, but just because they works doesn’t make then right. Here at DogFest we endorse the only good way, training your dog with kindness.
Some people do this training without using a treat. Kind words and making a loving fuss of your dog can be just as effective as treats. You can aways begin with a treat and then transition to hugs.
Lucy demonstrates with her dog Strike just how easy it is to train a dog with kindness
Lucy says: Start with your dog’s favourite treat or toy.
Step 1
- Get your dog to where you want them to be, the right starting position.
- Face your dog, they are in front of you.
- Step back.
- Guide your dog to being at your side, the side that suits you for holding the lead and their walking side.
PRO TIP
Future proof your dog training by teaching them Step 1. Then, in the future, if your dog does pull you’re be able to stop and get them back to where you want them to be before you carry on.
Step 2
- As soon as your dog finds that ‘heel position’ start walking.
- If you are on a nice slack lead! Then, RAISE your hand for their attention (either treat or tickle) and reward them. “Good Boy!”
Step 3
- Use your voice in an exciting way to keep your dog engaged.
- Vary the number of steps your dog must do before they get their reward.
PRO TIP for fast dogs!
If you’ve got a dog who takes the treat and then lunges to the end of the lead and is immediately pulling. Then deliver the reward in a different way. To make lunging ahead more difficult. Pop the treat on the floor, take a couple of steps ahead of your dog. Now, they’re playing catch up with you.
