Q&A for How to Train an Older Dog to Walk Calmly on a Leash

Get better equipment that's easier for older dogs to use. If your old dog is too stuck in its ways, you may need better tools. For instance, you might put the dog in a halter or a front-clip harness. For very old dogs, you might even need more specific gear, like a lifting harness that allows you to help carry some of the load.

No, it's not true that you can't teach an old dog new tricks! Expect leash-training an older dog to take a little longer than it would for a puppy, though. You do have to remember that older dogs have had many years to ingrain their walking habits, so not only do you have to build new habits, but you have to undo the old ones, and this process can take a while.

Focus on training the mechanics first. Take the dog somewhere quiet, like inside your home or in your backyard. Break the whole walk into components, like stopping when you stop or backing up on command when it gets too far ahead. Once the dog is comfortable with that, it will be more likely to succeed when you take it to a more stimulating environment.

Teach her a "Let's Go" command. To do this, keep her on leash in the backyard and have some ultra tasty treats or a favorite toy. Play with her, then get her attention and run backwards, saying "Let's Go" in an excited voice. As she moves toward you, entice her with the treat and reward her when she gets to you. Now let her sniff for a short time (this is normal, after all), and then command "Let's Go" in a cheery voice. If she doesn't respond, deepen your voice and repeat. If she doesn't budge then, gently pull her forward.

When the dog surges ahead, stop. Only resume walking when the leash is slack. But also, don't forget to praise the dog when they do walk nicely. Keep up a running commentary telling the dog how clever they are, when they do walk to heel. Intersperse the praise with a tasty treat, to keep the dog focused on you. Eventually, walking nicely becomes a habit, and you need only give occasional treats or praise.

Start by beefing up basic training in your backyard. Get the dog sitting on command, and teach the dog to "Look" at you by holding a treat between your eyes. Once the dog has learned this, take the dog for a walk. When you see a dog in the distance, have the dog "Sit", and "Look,", so he concentrates on you, not the other dog. When the other dog passes by without your dog lunging, give him plenty of praise. If he breaks concentration, say a sharp "No" and walk away with him.

This is a combination of teaching three commands: "Heel," "Look," and "Come." The "Look" command is useful as it allows you to get the dog's attention when you spot a problem in the distance. For example, if your dog chases bikes, when you see a bike ahead, having the dog "Look" at you stops them from running after it.

Let the dog walk a bit in your yard. Take it really slow. Gently introduce him to the leash. Let him get used to wearing the leash in your yard before letting him for a walk outside.

Every time you get the leash out, you should give her a small treat. If she does not really like treats, pet her instead. That way she associates the leash with good things. After a while, take the next step and put the leash on her while continuing to positively reinforce with treats or petting. Keep doing this till she starts to like it.

If you see your dog acting aggressive towards other dogs and humans, try redirecting your dog's focus and energy. As soon as she starts acting aggressive, attract her attention by doing something as lightly tugging on her leash. As you're doing so, try petting her or giving her treats or anything to make her focus her full attention on you. This will give the dog a new focus and prevent her from continuing to be aggressive towards others. You can stop distracting her when the dog or person she was being aggressive toward is far way enough that your dog won't act aggressively.

Take your dog out on a leash multiple times during the day time to let it do its business and also just get some time to be outside and enjoy the fresh air. Don't leave it out alone on a leash for a long period of time and do not let it run free as it can run off and get lost or hit by a car, attacked, etc.

First, stay calm. Second, if you don't already have a harness, get one (NOT a choke collar). Harnesses are gentle yet firm and they help you stay in control of your dog. Third, start training over again. Every time your dog pulls ahead, say "heel" in a firm, calm, yet not angry voice. If he walks nicely, even for 2 seconds, give him a treat. Continue this every time he pulls ahead. It may take awhile for him to get it.

Maybe she is uncomfortable with the neighborhood she is in and needs time to settle down. Let her explore independently if possible, or you can lure her along with meat or treats.

Go through the same place you walk her over a few times until your dog gets familiar with it and can go around that place calmly and sensibly. If she acts hostile in a particular neighborhood, do not go there. Once she is comfortable with the location, you can start putting a leash on her. Use the tips in the article below.

Try to let the family member try to give the dog a treat. If the dog barks, have them slowly walk up to your dog until they calm down. Try to let them pet your dog if your dog lets them get close enough. Comfort your dog to help him calm down.

If your dog is fighting with you when you get the leash out, he/she is probably associating the leash and the walks with something bad. Ask yourself a few questions: 1. Are my walks too long, or do they stress my dog out? 2. Has something bad that my dog would remember ever happened when we went for a walk? Once you have answered those questions, deal with them accordingly. Introduce the leash. Put it beside him/her and let her get used to it. Treats would also be ideal. Once your dog has the leash on, praise them. Take short walks, or if you answered the second question with a yes, let your dog out in a small area and gradually build it up to longer walks and bigger areas.

First, have her hearing checked. If that's fine, make sure you're using consistent single command words and not adding in confusing "human" talk or changing words for the same command. Train more than once a day for a few minutes at a time so she doesn't get bored. Use treats and positive reinforcement. If this does not work, look into a professional trainer.

When used correctly, gentle lead halters can be a very effective training tool. However, it's extremely important to realize that it can be strange and uncomfortable at first, and you will need lots of treats and patience. Don't try walking your dog with it until your dog is used to wearing it, and start by putting it on for only a few minutes at a time. If your dog is really resisting it, it might not be the best idea.

Keep special treats such as sausage bits in your hand, and have your hand by your side as you walk so your dog follows your hand. Keep treating your dog as it stays by your side. Eventually you can transition to just holding treats while your dog walks at your side without a lure.

Find someone who has a dog that you know is well trained and good with other dogs. Let them play a little bit off leash. Then, leash your dog and put him in a separate room so he can still smell the other dog. Treat him for calm behavior. Then, separate them with something like a baby gate, and treat him for calm behavior. If it gets really bad, seek professional training.

Stop and get him to sit. Treat him for the good behavior. Have him heel with a treat in hand (let him know you have the treat) and walk. Stop him when he pulls and wait for him to come back to you to sit and get a treat.

One way is to use a common trick. When you turn to face the dog, be excited and happy towards him. If he jumps, immediately turn around. Do this until he doesn't jump anymore, then give him a reward such as a dog treat.

Start by leading your dog around the house on a long leash. Use treats to keep her from getting scared. After you've done this for a while, try walking her outside.

It sounds like your dog doesn't see you as alpha. One way to establish dominance is to pin the dog to the ground. If you use one hand for the head your chest for the body and the other hand for their rear end and hold them down until they don't fight plus a little extra time it will show them you are alpha, it's similar to what's done in the wild. Once you establish that you are the boss, training will become easier and you should be able to get your dog to listen.

When your dog growls at you, recognize it as a possible challenge to your pack leader position. An effective method to reestablish dominance is to stand before your dog, place your hands on either side of its neck just below its ears, grasp the loose skin there firmly but not painfully, give the dog a shake or two that does not cause it to lose its balance or be raised off the ground, and say, “No,” with a calm, firm, no-nonsense voice. Do not exhibit any hesitation or fear. If the dog growls again, repeat the process. Once it has stopped, ”shun” your dog. Walk away; do not look or talk to it. When 20 - 30 seconds have passed, call it to you and be affectionate.

Gently pick up the dog (with the leash attached to his collar, of course) and set him down outside the door. Give him praise and treats, so he doesn't become fearful.