Walking on a Loose Leash

I like to break down leash work into 3 different areas:

(1)Off-leash walking, (2) Short leash walking. and (3) Long leash walking

Part 1 - Off-leash

  1. I like to start off indoors or in a fenced area without a leash. Low distractions with lots of food.
  2. Offer your dog a treat at her natural nose level (no jumping), and then walk backwards and forwards with your dog on your left side. Treat the whole time. It’s easiest if you have a treat your dog can nibble from your fingers a little at a time, like a Kong with peanut butter. Small soft treats work too if you can dish them out quickly. If your dog wanders away, it means your treat isn’t good enough or there are too many distractions or smells. J Stay low and offer food the whole time.
  3. After some practice, stand up straight and bring your treat hand up near your chin (so your dog is looking up at your face).
  4. When your dog looks up at you, get your hand low again quickly and treat. If your dog jumps up at you for the treat, turn away and keep walking.
  5. After getting good at this, walk forward for longer distances with your dog at your side. This is a good time to add a verbal cue like “heel”, “this way’, or “with me”. Give your cue BEFORE you change directions or speed or when you want your dog to look at you.

Part 2 - Add the Leash

  1. When you’re good with part 1, add the leash. Hold the leash with your “non-treat” hand. This leash hand should not do any work except to keep the leash out of the way and loose. When I practice, I like to keep this leash hand on the small of my back. How to hold the leash and treats will take some practice. Everyone does it a little differently.
  2. If your dog goes out in front of you, say “heel” and wait to see if she looks. If they do, great! Give them a treat. If they don’t turn or look, walk in the opposite direction. Don’t pull, jerk, or guide them around. Just walk. As soon as they catch up and look, give them a treat. Treat them OFTEN. It’s much better to treat too much than not enough.
  3. If you have trouble with this, find a more quiet/less distracting place to practice and get a different/better treat. If they don’t want your treat, try practicing before dinner or breakfast. Find something special they really want.

Part 3 - Long Leash Walking


When we walk our dogs, it should feel relaxing for both of us. A short leash can make this tough because dogs naturally walk faster than us and they want to stop, move sideways, move forward all the time. This is dogs naturally walk and this is ok. Using a 20 ft leash lets dogs move more freely and you can still keep them safe. Practice the exercises above a little bit during your walks and you’ll get better in no time.

About Brian Markowich

Brian Markowich, CCPDT, FFCP is the owner of Dog Boy Positive Training, LLC in Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County, Maryland. He provides zoom consultations and in-person private lessons.

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