Walking on a Leash and Staying: Two Essential Commands

Puppy Training

Many dogs have an aggressive side, and you often see this when they are on leashes. Dogs that are normally well-behaved can lunge and snarl at other dogs and people as you walk down the street. While he needs exercise, you do not want to put others at risk. What can you do about leash aggression?

However, there are some ways to deal with leash aggression so you can both get some good quality time and exercise outdoors

Dogs are like children in many ways. Often you can avoid bad behavior if you redirect their attention. If you see something that usually causes your dog to become aggressive, immediately distract him. Tell him to sit or lie down to keep him busy until the dog or person passes.

Dogs are masters at reading our body language. If you tense whenever you pass a person or another dog, your pet will pick up on it. He may think that you are scared and want to protect you. It is best to stay calm and act as if nothing is wrong if you can so your dog does too.

Try using a muzzle or a gentle leader when walking your dog. This should only be a temporary measure but if you are concerned your dog may lunge or bite, these can be very helpful.

Some dogs will persist at lunging despite your best efforts. If this is the case with your dog, consult with a professional trainer. You don't want to let the behavior go unchecked; your dog will become a danger to your neighborhood. as well as to himself.

Many dogs pull and lunge when on a leash. If your dog displays this very natural reaction to being on a leash, it is vital that you take action as soon as possible so it doesn't become either an irritating habit or a dangerous one.

People are always impressed with well-trained dogs. Beyond impressing your friends and neighbors, teaching your dog the stay command can be extremely useful. Treats and lots of praise will make the learning process much easier, faster, and fun. For most favorable results consider SitStayFetch.

First, tell your dog to sit or lie. When he does, put your hand, palm towards the dog, and say, "Stay." Use a firm voice.

As soon as your dog obeys, say, "Good." Even if the dog only stays for a brief second, it is a great start. Praising can only help him learn more.

Give the release command – say "Ok," or "Come" - so your dog knows he doesn’t have to lie down any longer. Feed him a treat and lots of praise. Giving rewards is a key component of the operation when it comes to things like puppy training.

As you work on the stay command, demand that your dog stay for longer periods of time. Don't give him his treat until he performs to your satisfcation. Have him do a little more each time.

You don't want to practice for an hour though. Keep your training sessions short and sweet. Make them fun for your dog, provide lots of praise and rewards, and you'll get results. Five to ten minutes is a great amount of time for each training session, and you can do it several times a day.

Another way that dogs are like children is that they have short attention spans! If you require him to train for longer than ten minutes, he is likely to become obstinate and disobedient. Also keep in mind that he'll have to have a lot of practice in order to perfect the command. Repeat "Stay" several times and be prepared to reteach him the command a few times.

Soon, your dog will be able to stay even if you leave the room. Even if you phase out the treats, remember to praise your dog for this accomplishment.

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