If you have the typically energetic, curious, excited schnauzer, you have a handful (actually a shoulder-ful) of leash tugging going on when you go for a walk. Training your fur kid to walk by your side without pulling could give you both much more fun and enjoyable daily walks in the neighborhood or the park. Here is an invaluable simple video tip from expert dog trainer Doggy Dan, demonstrating the humane way to train your schnauzer to walk properly on a leash. You might be pleasantly surprised and find that you could turn this tugging war into a delightful stroll at your pace (not your schnauzer's) in as little as 5 minutes.
Of course dogs vary in their stubbornness and independent streaks, so yours might take longer.
But - it is worth it.
You have a lifetime ahead of you with your schnauzer. Make the most of it.
Here are several of the most common mistakes that schnauzer people can make when walking their dog.
1. Letting the schnauzer get overexcited (as only they can do). Keep calm and take your time.
Think about your build up to leaving the house. You bring out the leash and BANG! Your sleeping beauty becomes a rocket. They jump up, tail wagging, racing around demanding that you put the leash on them. Now if you simply oblige and put the leash on them they get even more excited! The reason is simple. You are reinforcing their excited behavior with a reward, the lead. So this behavior gets more and more extreme. They become more excited not less excited. The same thing is happening as your dog drags you towards the front door, barging their way through first and then pulls you down the garden path. All of this is getting your dog more and more excited. They will be over the top when you get onto the path!
Solution: next time you take your dog for a walk, take your time. Pick up the leash and then wait for your dog to calm down. That’s right. Just carry on doing what you were doing and ignore your dog’s antics. If they don’t calm down simply put the leash away or put it on a table. You may need repetition for you both to get this right, but that's OK. Heard enough? Check out Doggy Dan's complete online dog training video course here.
2. Using direction changes to gently shape the walking behavior.
Before you start your walk look at which way your dog is trying to head. If they want to go right, then you turn left. Take a step to the left and repeat this until they are actually taking notice of what you are doing. On a bigger scale you could simply change direction and go the other way when your dog starts to pull ahead. Make sure you do this early, don’t wait till your dog is miles out in front. By doing this exercise your dog ends up behind you every time. Again it can take a little time but your dog will get it (once you get it).
3. Pick a good harness made for leash training dogs that pull.
Take a look at some of the different types of devices available to assist you in getting your dog to heel. In the video you can see Doggy Dan using a very special harness where the attachment is under the dog's chin. This is totally different to a traditional harness where the attachment is on the back and the dogs end up pulling like a cart horse. Other devices may transfer the pulling to the chest or rear legs, depending on the approach of the device creator. Think carefully about it. Do your research on the advantages and disadvantages of each type for your schnauzer's temperament and size.
4. That old pack leader thing again - the pack leader needs to lead (duh)
On the walk the pack leader leads from the front. So if you are not the pack leader in your dogs eyes they will really fight for that spot at the front. Its as simple as that. You can’t cheat a dog, especially the strong minded determined ones! Learning to become the pack leader is topic all on it's own, and is the basis of Doggy Dan's world-famous training method. He's developed 5 Golden Rules, which when followed daily, help you become the pack leader in a calm and gentle way. On his video website The Online Dog Trainer , he points out that before any training takes place, you first need to establish yourself as the leader using the 5 rules – and stresses that this is really important in solving almost all dog behavior problems.
5. Put it all together with the complete package of online dog training videos and audios
This is just a sample of what you can get inside the complete online dog training video and audio program from Doggy Dan. For issues like leash training, they even give you an audio download for your mp3 player or ipod to coach you during your walks. This is a fantastic resource to finally get it right and start enjoy your walks with your wonderful schnauzer very soon. Maybe even today. Even better, get your 3-day $1 trial look at this remarkable self-paced online dog training program before you make a final decision - CLICK HERE to learn more.
