Walking a Greyhound on a leash can be tough. These fast and active dogs may pull incredibly hard if they are not trained correctly, and this can make walks unpleasant or even dangerous. Good leash control is essential, and it is actually not so much the Greyhound you need to train, but yourself.
The problem with a dog that pulls and strains is not only that you are not in control of the situation; it can also be detrimental to a dogs health as straining against a collar can bruise their throat. Often people who struggle to walk their dogs simply give up after a while as the experience is so unpleasant, and this doesn’t benefit the dog at all!
Patience and Persistence Is Key
Greyhounds are fast learners, but they need to be told what to do in a consistent manner. If you let your dog pull at their lead in some cases and not in others they’ll be confused as to what behaviour is correct. The trick is to always be consistent, just like when you play the online Bingo NZ has to offer, and to do the same thing over and over until they learn what is required behaviour.
By being patient and consistent you’ll be able to teach them to walk nicely and to not pull on the leash, even when excited.
The Wait Method
One of the most effective ways of training your Greyhound to walk well on a leash is by stopping them every time they pull ahead. This way they learn that the minute they pull, they’ll be forced to come to a stop, and this isn’t much fun.
An easy way to enforce this is to walk with the lead in one hand and have it behind you. This way the minute the dog pulls ahead, you can use your leg to pull the lead back and bring them to a stop. If you do this every time they pull forward, they’ll quickly pick up that they need to walk next to you to keep walking, and that the minute they get ahead, they’ll have to halt.
It is also a great idea to always make them stop at the edge of a kerb or at a door so they don’t bolt in. This can save them if you are in traffic, and also reinforce the walking next to you action that is desired.
Top On Leash Tricks
- Never use a retractable leash. These leashes can be very dangerous if you are in a high traffic area as your dog may suddenly pull, and they’ll run into the road.
- Reward all the positive behaviour that you want with treats. You can also keep treats in your hand as you walk, as this will keep your dog focused on you and stay by your side.
- Don’t shout or smack your dog if they pull ahead. Instead, ignore the bad behaviour and reward the good. They’ll soon learn that by following instruction, they get rewarded, and by pulling ahead, they get nowhere.