Don’t rely on the leash to physically move the dog. The leash is for safety, not a means of communication. Practicing off-leash in a safe location is ideal.
The dog should walk with their head or shoulder even with your hip. You are not holding the leash tight to keep your dog in place. The leash is slack between you, with no contact.
As your dog gets comfortable with this, make it more comfortable by changing your angle a little. Reward the dog when they come back to this position on their own. [2] X Expert Source Elisabeth WeissProfessional Dog Trainer Expert Interview. 3 September 2020. Once the dog will heel when you’re standing still, move to walking. It can help to walk the dog with a wall on the other side of them so they can’t stray too far. [3] X Expert Source Elisabeth WeissProfessional Dog Trainer Expert Interview. 3 September 2020.
When the dog looks up, slap your left hip with your hand and say “Right Here”. This is a command. Your dog can learn to look where you indicate, and in this way, you are giving your dog a reference point for where they should be while heeling. Set your dog up for success. Try your best to avoid asking for more than your dog is capable of. Remember, the key is getting your dog’s attention. This can be the most difficult thing. Also, though it takes some work, you can teach your dog to look at you when you say “Watch me” or whatever your chosen cue is. Remember to reward with a treat when your dog responds correctly.
Consider every walk you have with the dog a training session. [4] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Keeping the leash slack (not correcting constantly) means that when you actually do pull on the leash, your dog is much more likely to listen to you.
You do not need to repeat the command. Enforcing it is much more effective. You may want to give the dog another chance to obey properly.
The dog will be used to leading you, and may be surprised or confused. Walk in a straight line again, until the dog tries to forge past you. Pull the same stunt. Doing this for 5-15 minutes a day is enough. Some dogs learn after the first session, but some dogs who have been used to leading you for years may take longer.
Your leash should once again be in your right hand, and a lagging dog would be on your left side behind you, with the leash crossing in front of your legs. This will cause a jerk when you step forward with your left leg, and if this isn’t enough to make your dog want to catch up, you can slowly reel in the leash while your leg is bumping it. You should use a command while doing this “Get-Up-Here” and/or “Right Here”; with your left hand slap your hip. Speak this command, and your dog’s name, using “Hey” to get his attention if needed. Once your dog is next to you, praise and let the leash slack. Most likely they will lag again, but all you have to do is repeat.
