Taking one reactive dog for a walk can be challenging - let alone two.
Some owners find that their dogs amp each other up and encourage more unwanted behavior when out they’re together, making it even harder to follow dog walking etiquette.
If you can relate, then you might feel like you have to take them out one by one. Not only is this less time effective for you, but your dogs will also miss out on playing and bonding together. And if you have one of the best playful dog breeds, they’d probably appreciate a walk-time companion.
So, how do you fix this problem? Aaron Rogers, an expert dog trainer, has revealed what you should do in Southend Dog Training’s latest Instagram video. Here’s what he had to say:
Before you take your dogs out together, you need to make sure that they both understand the pressure and release concept. If you’re not sure what that is, it’s where you release the pressure on the lead whenever your dog behaves well. You then mark it and reward them.
Aaron recommends putting your dog in a slip lead for this exercise, instead of your regular harness, which will give you extra control.
To deter your dog from pulling, put pressure in the opposite direction that you want them in, and once the lead goes slack, give them a reward.
Aaron wrote in the video: “Teaching the dog what the lead means allows us to provide clear direction and create a more relaxed mind.[...] Most leash reactivity can be reduced tenfold just by fixing the lead walking.”
Practice this exercise with your dogs separately, and once they’ve mastered the technique, you can try walking them together. You’ll be able to enjoy the best dog walks in the US worry-free in no time.
If you want more advice on how to stop a dog from pulling on a leash, this guide will help. Stuck on which leash to buy? Here are the best dog leashes to choose from.
