Variable-length button-activated leashes tend to get tangled a lot more easily and encourage the dogs to pull at the leash. When the leash suddenly gives way as you give it more length, this gives the dog an incentive to yank at it.
If you’re going for a very long walk, you may also want to bring a little water with you in a bottle. Dogs pant when they’re very thirsty, and need to be provided clean drinking water on a regular basis.
Dogs often need to go out shortly after eating or drinking. These are good times to schedule walks into your routine.
Attach the leash to the collar before you leave the house. Spend a lot of time at the door getting your dog to calm down before you go outside, if there’s a lot of excitement.
Some trainers find it effective to “ask” the dog to stay close. As dog comes to you, reward him. You can even click down being next to you with a clicker. Don’t tug hard on the leash, but stay consistent and demand proper behavior. If you start walking and dog still pulls after multiple attempts, stop for a while.
Any time you can let dogs off leash is a good time. Find a dog park in your area if you don’t have any fenced land they can roam in.
It’s actually a lot easier to let the dog drag you around, but it’ll result in a poorly trained dog that’s difficult to walk on the leash. It takes some serious self control not to yank the dog back at you, or to just be dragged along for the ride. try to be cheerful, because it will make the walk go much smoother for the dog. As you change your walking direction, enhance good behavior with some doggy snacks and encouraging talk.
Leave some slack in the leash, between you and the dog so even if he pulls it out of your hand its still on your wrist. Keep a tight grip on the leashes. Even calm and well-trained dogs can get distracted and start running without and you seeing them and pull the leash off the hand. And if you’ve got two, it’s even more important to get a solid grip on things to keep them under control.
Dogs will often want to sniff at the same things. If the dog on your left tries to cross over to your right, practice turning with the dog, or keeping the dog moving forward by giving a short little yank on the leash to move forward. If your’e walking very small dogs, they can sometimes stay on the same leash, with leash-dividers. This is usually the best way to keep them under control. They’ll usually stay out of the other’s way.
If you’re going to walk different sized dogs, remember to walk slowly for the small one, and play more with larger dog before you head out at home to get their speed about the same. In some cases, it’s just easier to walk dogs separately. Not all dogs make good combinations. Try to match their energy level and walking speed, if at all possible.
Keep an eye out for debris on the sidewalk. Look for shattered glass or cigarette butts on the ground. Don’t let them eat anything they’re trying to get at. Choose the place you’re walking them carefully and go there without them before go for the walk. Make sure the sidewalk is big enough and traffic is quiet.
