Use Your Words

My favorite phrase in relation to leash walking is, “treat the leash like a seat-belt, not a steering wheel”. What this phrase communicates is that when walking our dogs we should only use our leash to keep our dog attached to us and away from danger. We should not use our leash to “steer” our dog in the direction we desire by pulling it this way and that way. So how do experienced handlers get their dogs to change directions or move along after stopping to sniff something? We use our words!

While the initial focus of leash training is to teach the dog to walk close to their owner with a loose leash we will eventually progress to teaching our dogs directional cues that will indicate when we are changing directions, stopping, moving on, or giving free time to sniff. You are welcome to select whatever cues feel most natural to you, but be sure to remain consistent once you’ve begun training.

The terms I favor include:

• “Let’s go”— Indicate to the dog that we will begin moving forward.

• “This way” — Indicate to the dog that we are going to change directions and they should look to me to see where we are going.

• “Wait” — Indicate to the dog that we are stopping and they need to remain still until I release them.

• “Go smell” — Indicate to the dog that I am going to let them investigate an area they may be interested in smelling.

Teaching these cues does not need to involve special training sessions. With strategic usage of treats you can begin teaching these cues during your regular leash walks.

“Let’s go”

1. You should be stationary with your dog on leash.

2. Have a treat prepared and hidden in your hand. It is ideal that your dog does not notice that you are holding the treat yet.

3. When you are ready to begin moving cue, “let’s go” in an upbeat tone and begin slowly moving forward just enough to suggest your intentions.

4. If your dog responds by moving with you mark with a “yes!” and feed the treat as you move.

5. If your dog does not begin moving with you after a couple of seconds bring the treat down to your dog and use it to lure them forward a few steps, then mark with a “yes!” and feed the treat as you move.

6. With enough repetition and consistent rewards you will begin seeing your dog respond to the cue “let’s go” by moving forward with you.

“This way”

1. This cue should be used when you are in motion with your dog on leash.

2. Have a treat prepared and hidden in your hand. It is ideal that your dog does not notice that you are holding a treat yet.

3. When you would like to change directions cue, “this way” in an upbeat tone and begin slowly making a wide turn.

4. If your dog responds by looking to you and turning with you mark with a “yes!” And feed the treat as you move.

5. If your dog does not turn with you after a couple of seconds bring the treat to your dog and use it to lure them with you as you turn, then mark with a “yes!” And feed the treat as you move.

6. With enough repetition and consistent rewards you will begin seeing your dog respond to the cue “this way” by looking to you and changing directions accordingly.

“Wait”

1. This cue should be used when you would like your dog to stop moving.

2. Have a treat prepared and hidden in your hand. It is ideal that your dog does not notice that you are holding a treat yet.

3. When you are ready to stop cue “wait” in a neutral tone and begin slowing down until you are stationary.

4. If your dog responds by stopping forward movement mark with a “yes!” And feed the treat while stationary.

5. If your dog continues trying to move forward bring the treat to your dog and use it to lure your dog into a standing stop or a sit, then mark with a “yes!” And feed the treat while stationary.

6. With enough repetition and consistent rewards you will begin seeing your dog respond to the cue “wait” by stopping forward movement.

“Go Smell”

1. This cue should be used when you are approaching an area you know your dog likes to spend time smelling or relieving themselves.

2. Just as you are closing in on the area cue “go smell” in a neutral tone and allow your dog to move to the area to investigate.

3. During smell time you should, within reason, allow your dog to choose the direction they want to move and should simply follow along.

4. Ideally, you should use the cue “let’s go” to indicate that smell time is over and you are going to move forward again.

5. After practicing using “go smell” each time you approach a sniff spot you can then begin practicing walking past a sniff spot without cueing “go smell”.

6. Pass by the sniff spot a few times without stopping. Your dog may be inclined to stop at the sniff spot, moving quickly at a distance away from the sniff spot will help reduce this.

7. On a pass in which your dog is walking nicely give the cue, “go smell” as a reward for good leash manners.

8. With enough repetition you will begin seeing your dog respond to the cue “go smell” by investigating an area.

Remember, once your dog has developed a solid understanding of these behaviors you can fade the use of treats if desired. However, you should consistently acknowledge good responses with verbal praise and other functional rewards.