How to Train Your Dog to Behave on Walks

Hello, Many times dogs will feel the urge to poop while moving. Since your dog is older, it might be a lot easier for them to be able to poop while moving and they may not have as much control over that anymore. Because of age, you could try walking them around in your yard while telling them to "Go Potty" and giving a treat each time after they go to teach that cue. You will likely need to keep them moving for a while in the yard to get them to fully empty their bowels, then once you are convinced they have gone enough times to be empty, start your walk, to best avoid pooping during the walk. The walk around your yard might need to involve a lot of steps and multiple poops like the walk does. It's likely that pooping is harder at their age and that movement is needed to empty completely. It's also likely that they need to do it multiple times instead of just once biologically, opposed to this being a behavior issue you can address. It might be worth speaking with your vet though, to see if there is a specific reason why pooping is harder than it needs to be, or if pup's poops seem to indicate they are constipated if things could be done to help with that, like digestive enzymes or probiotics to support breaking down their food better. I am not a vet so speak with your vet about anything related to pup's physical health. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 4, 2023

Hello, First, what is pup being walked on? Such as a buckle collar and leash, gentle leader, prong collar, choke collar, ect...? It sounds like pup is getting overly aroused and doing a version of the "zoomies" I suspect the smells in that environment, combined with the sights and sounds are leading to pup's over excitement. I would start by working on impulse control at home, so pup has the skills to calm back down when aroused. During training, get him a little excited, then command "Stop" or something he knows like "Sit", and freeze. Wait and completely ignore him until he calms back down. As soon as he gets calm or sits, praise and give a treat. Tell him "Let's Play!" again, and start playing and getting him a bit excited again. As soon as he starts to get a little worked up (not too much at first), command "Stop" or "Sit" again, then wait, reward with a treat when he calms down, then continue the game after he is rewarded. Repeat this a few times each training session, then end the session (have lots of frequent shorter sessions throughout the day at his age). As he improves, and can really calm down quickly, let him get a bit more excited before calling Stop. Gradually work up to him becoming more and more excited and having to calm down quickly from a higher level of excitement as he improves. Also, understand that this will take some time and practice. Puppies have to learn self-control just like any other skill, while young. This game can help him develop it sooner though. I also suggest teaching the Leave It command from the article linked below: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite I asked about your training tools because sometimes a certain tool can be too stimulating for pup if it causes constant frustration. That doesn't always mean the tool is a bad tool, but certain tools work for certain dogs and not others, or it could be the use of that tool, or it might be that pup needs something to interrupt their arousal and if you are currently just using a buckle collar, a tool might help pup focus back on you again. I would practice the Turns method from the article I have linked below to also help pup build impulse control - but this time while outside with you. Follow the steps, having pup practice somewhere boring like your yard first, so pup is gradually working up to the excitement of the neighborhood or park - going to the neighborhood or park right away is likely too much stimulation at first until pup builds up their self-control skills. Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Part of pup's behavior is probably related to the age they are at. Continue training efforts knowing that will will take practice and repetition before you probably see lots of change. Keep training! At this age, you will often find that maturity and persistence on your part will suddenly pay off after a period of it seeming like nothing is working. When pup starts getting really wild mid walk (having practiced the turns method in the past) do a drill on the sidewalk with changes in speed and turns quickly for a couple of minutes - sort of like boot camp cadet drills. Pup having to stay with you and focus on turning, paying attention to how close they are to you, and keeping up with your changes in pace can often get a pup back into a thinking mindset. Working on building pup's self control at home will make it easier for pup to respond during the walk too. Finally, changing tools, or using a new tool might help you interrupt pup without causing constant frustration - a good training tool should only be felt by pup when they are misbehaving and not while they are walking nicely. For example, a prong should only pinch when pup pulls away from you and not all the time because you are holding the leash tight. A gentle leader should only turn pup's head when they pull and pup not walk with their head sideways all the time - if that's happening, more work in your own yard with the turns method to teach pup not to pull before adding in the rest of the neighborhood is needed. When choosing a training device, make sure whichever you choose, you research how to properly fit and use. Many devices like prongs and gentle leaders are not fitted correctly and that effects safety and effectiveness. Many harness no-pull devices can cause chafing under the arms and chest if not fitted well, so fit will be important too. I recommend avoid choke chains or choke collars that can tighten without limit around the neck, due to the risk of trachea damage with those collars (martingale collars that stop tightening after an inch are typically fine though), and avoid dangerous tools like dominant dog slip collars. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

July 22, 2022