How to teach your pup to walk on a leash

It's an idyllic scene - you are out on a walk with your dog on a warm and sunny spring day. He is trotting beside you. You're smiling. He's happy. But sometimes the reality of walking your dog is a much different picture. Fido pulls you down the sidewalk, stops to sniff again and again, and barks at every person or dog you pass.

A daily walk is good for dogs. It is not only important for them physically, but also it's good for them mentally. It's also another opportunity for the two of you to bond.

Think about a walk from your dog's perspective - it's a literal smorgasbord of sights, sounds and smells - many of them new. It is no wonder he wants to explore every one of them. Walking on a leash is not natural for dogs and will take time and patience to train.

The first step is choosing a correctly sized collar or harness. Too loose and it will come off easily; too tight and it could harm your dog. You will also need a four- to six-foot leash and lots of treats.

If you have a new puppy, begin by having him wear his collar or harness and leash while you play with him for short periods of time in the house. Be sure to give him treats and lots of praise so he associates his collar and leash with playtime and goodies.

Once Fido is used to wearing his leash, start training him to walk with you - always on the same side. (This is done while still inside the house, where there are considerably less distractions.)

Traditionally, dogs are trained to walk on the left side, but if you don't plan on entering him in competitions and would rather he walk on your right side, that is your choice.

Holding the leash in the opposite hand (hold the leash in your right hand if you plan for him to walk on your left side) and with a pocketful of treats on the side you want him to walk on, take a few steps and stop.

Hold a treat down at your side and when he comes to your side to take it, praise him. Repeat until he begins to stay by your side, expecting more treats.

Gradually increase the number of steps before stopping to treat and praise. Add in verbal cues for starting and stopping. They can be as simple as "Let's go" and "All done." The exact phrase is not important, but using the same one consistently is.

If your dog is already an adult dog who has never been trained to walk on a leash, the process is the same. It may just take more practice and patience before moving your training outside.

When you are ready to take the training outdoors, start in the backyard where new stimuli are fewer. Keep walks very short at first with lots of treats and praise. Lengthen the walks while reducing the quantity of treats as progress continues. And when Fido's ready, go for a walk around the neighborhood.

Address behaviors you don't want to become bad habits. If he run circles around you or weaves from side to side, go back to taking a few steps and rewarding, always on the same side. If this is not effective, shorten the leash so he cannot leave your side and reward every few steps. As quickly as possible, begin to lengthen the amount of leash.

If he starts pulling ahead or in a different direction, stop walking. Don't take another step until he comes back to you. Take a few steps with him beside you before stopping to treat and praise, or you might end up reinforcing the pulling behavior.

It is important Fido learns that pulling ahead will not help him get where he wants to go sooner, but never yank the leash to pull him back to you.

If your dog leaps or lunges at someone or something while you are walking, proactively intervene the next time. Increase the distance between them or turn his attention to you with praise and a treat as the target passes by. Use these same techniques if Fido barks incessantly when passing other people or dogs.

Sometimes, behavior problems can be too difficult for pet owners to manage. Always call your veterinarian when you have questions regarding your pet's behavior. She is happy to help.

• Diana Stoll is the Practice Manager at Red Barn Animal Hospital with locations in Hampshire and Gilberts. Visit the website at redbarnpetvet.com/ or call (847) 683-4788 (Hampshire) or (847) 426-1000 (Gilberts).