What is your technique for getting a dog to walk better on a leash?

If it's an extendable leash, DEFINITELY trade it in for a 6-foot one. I've tried multiple strategies on different dogs, but I've found it comes down to two things: 1.) the dog's age, and 2.) how consistent you are.

I'm not excusing puppies from good training, but they just want to GO! if your dog is young, and this is the first exercise they've gotten for the day, chances are they will NOT WANT to slow down. Try throwing the ball around the yard for a bit before your walk.

But regardless, if you're consistent, they'll catch on...eventually. :)

I have taught my dog heel, by starting with treats in my hand and continually treating if he stays by my side. Then, I upped the criteria, by not holding the treats by his nose, but I still treat every few steps for walking at my side. I continually asked him to go longer and longer between treats. I added in the verbal when he was consistently walking well and now he has it. I also have been known to stop if he doesn't stay by my side and when he checks in, we go again. I walk my dog on a regular back clip harness and he does great on it. When he is off leash, I taught him a check cue, where he checks in and gets a treat or praise. I have used a hands free leash, as it communicates your cues effectively. Hope this helps.

You can set up training sessions like so: When he gets farther ahead than you want him to be, make a quick U-turn. Get his attention and when he comes up beside you (walking in the direction you are now going), praise him and give a treat. Make your praise short but really upbeat. If he pulls ahead again, repeat. Hopefully he'll get it before you get too dizzy :-D. Many short sessions are better than one long session per day.

I've found a head collar like the gentle leader works best. The dog cannot pull you with one. It works the same as horses. When the dog tries to pull ahead, you can do a slight pull (just to get her attention, no force) and a noise to get her attention. Then give less leash. Sometimes if this does not work, making her sit for a minute til she calms down helps. When the dog successfully is walking how she should, there should be no tension on the leash at all. The dog should not walk in front of you, as that gives her the impression that she is the protector. You should always be the leader. That will also help the dog not get so excited and jumpy because she knows you are looking out for her.

My dog trainer said the best way is to pull the dog back to where you want it to walk and exclaim forcefully Heel, then praise her while she is doing it correctly. A small treat for doing what you ask initially is useful, then trade he verbal praise for her good behavior. Constant (daily) reinforcement of the behavior is required. Even when I went 8-10 months without walking her (after installing a doggie door so we no longer had to walk) she initially pulled a little ahead but a pull back and the heel command got her back under control quickly. I hope this helps, it worked well with my dog, I hope it works for yours, too.

A local doggy day-care and Aquatherapups center promotes using this leash: http://www.aquatherapups.com/walk-ez-.... I thought it looked interesting and perhaps it would work for those that pull!

Positive reinforcement with treats. Use treats at first to get their attention and stay on the side. Practice indoors with Lil distractions and do circles. I like to start a dog in a sit position then give a commending word "lets go" to let them know it's time to walk. As soon as they pull or are not at a heel position, pivot, turn around, or swing them around your back to put them back in a heel position. Walking harness is another good tool to use for dogs that are strong. 🙂

In my experience normally when you say heel, they will slow down to your pace. If they don't you just give them a little pull and in my experience they will stop and listen to you. But I know every dog is not the same way LOL And every time I walk a dog if I'm turning left or right or straight I give them that direction and they will follow then eventually, after time they understand what you're saying the1st time. When and everytime they go the right way even if you have to lead them a little bit in the beginning, I always just say good boy or good girl or whatever their name is for positive reinforcement when they go the right way, and I have found that to be very effective in them learning 🥰🐾

My puppy has a choker collar on when we walk him. If he doesn't listen, we tug the collar upwards, and then he begins to follow through with how he is supposed to act.

Very effective. I also do drills with him when we walk. I'll start by walking normal, i then pick up the speed, i'll start jogging then i come to a real quick stop and i'll tell him to stop with me, and eventually he understands. It just has to be repetitive. the more, the better.