Miami Dog Training,How to walk your dog, Miami Dog Whisperer

One of the most important things to do when you get a new puppy, or adopt an adult dog from a shelter, Is
learn how to properly walk your dog on a leash so that the experience for both you and your dog is both
enjoyable and serves it’s purpose.
When you walk your dog on a leash, you may think you are doing it to help the dog go potty outside, or get
the dog, and yourself, some exercise. All of these reasons are valid, however, there is a bigger purpose,
walking your dog on a leash serves.

Dogs are pack animals. Walking your dog on a leash establishes you as the leader of the pack.

How does this happen?
Well, the general public opinion is that it is okay and even natural, to allow your dog to walk ahead of you,
pull you and sniff the ground in front of you.

You have seen those who if you look closely, they are not the ones walking their dog, but it is the other way
around!

To the dog, when you allow them to “lead” you, they become the pack leader. Their respect for you
diminishes, because now they are ahead of you on the food chain and you will find that this behavior will
eventually affect the relationship in the home, as well.

If you have ever seen a pack of wild dogs, and most of us have not, but wolfs are the closest we can get,
you will see that the leader of the pack, always, ALWAYS, is the head of the pack and the others will be
either beside them or a few steps behind. The leader of the pack has the responsibility to protect the
members and to lead them.

If your dog feels they
have the responsibility
to protect and
lead you, then they
will feel off balance,
become aggressive towards
other dogs and people,
and not give you the respect
you expect from them!

They may become nervous, anxious and dysfunctional. Other behavior issues will surface and you will not
realize it all stems from simply not knowing how to walk your dog properly.

Any time you see a dog acting aggressive or lunging at another dog, or passerby while on a leash, or
simply going out of control, be it on the walk, or at home, it is telling you a story about the relationship
that the owner has with their dog, what is going on inside the dog and how the dog views their place in
the pack. If your dog is acting aggressive, you can almost guarantee, that it is a lack of confidence and of
respect for their owner and the ability of the owners to protect and lead them. Therefore, the dog feels that
they are supposed to be the leader of your pack, a position they are not prepared or able to handle, and
their world goes out of balance.

Well, It is the rules of the breed, it is their nature and you can prove it easily. Learn a few dog training
techniques on how to properly walk your dog, and begin doing it correctly, and you will immediately notice
how it translates to every issue and relationship milestone that you are facing.

Dog Training Tips on how to walk your dog properly:

1.        You need the proper equipment (training collar and 6 foot non-retractable leash) –no harnesses
please, these are made for pulling.
2.        When walking out the house, make sure you go first out the door and your dog follows, not the other
way around.
3.        Once outside, dog should be on your left side. Not in front of you, not behind you, but directly in
step with you. Their nose should be in Zink with your left knee (or hip or ankle depending on the size of the
dog)
4.        Your right hand should be in the handle, the leash should be in front of left thigh and it should make a
“J” coming up to your right hand, which you place in front of your belly button.
5.        You will leave your hand there the whole time. NO PULLING, TUGGING, or SHOVING your dog.
6.        Simply walk and the dog will keep step with you.
7.        If you see that the dog wonders off, or tries to pull, you put your whole body into it and turn the
opposite direction in order to get their mind back on walking properly. Dog goes right, you go left, dog
goes left you go right and so on.
8.        If you do this a few times, then you will see that your dog will no longer walk away and try to pull, but
will keep step with you throughout the whole walk.
9.        This technique works, but it takes time to perfect it. Keep at it and practice it every time you go out
on a walk.
10.        When you want your dog to go potty, simply say “Okay” and allow the dog to go to the grass and
sniff and potty. Once done, you regain control of the walk and keep going.

Remember, bad habits are hard to break and it takes some practice for both you and your dog to get into
proper walking mode. However, once this is accomplished, you can feel confident, it will make your life and
your pooches life much more balance and enjoyable. If you have any further questions or need a
professional trainer, please contact us .
Happy Walking!

The Miami Dog Whisperer Richard
Heinz can help with your dog training
needs.

Who's Walking Whom?-
Dog walking anyone can do!
by Richard Heinz, Miami's dog behavior and training expert
known as the Miami Dog Whisperer