How to Train Your Dog to Not Walk in Front of You

Hello Rebecca, Check out the turns method from the article linked below. Practice with each dog separately - especially your older dog, until pups can follow well individually, then add them together and practice more in a spacious location, before working on straight normal walks together. The younger puppy likely just doesn't know how to walk and like you said is playing. That is likely more about pup just learning how to walk nicely on leash, opposed to your older dog wanting to lead the walk. Turns method - this method's turns and speed changes require pup to actually pay attention rather than assume that they know where you are headed, and to stay a bit behind because of the 90 degree turns in front of pup: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Tristan, First I suggest teaching Come and Leave It, and a couple of commands. Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Come - Reel In method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Heel - Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Practice the above commands until pup does well while on leash. When pup can do well, use a no-pull type collar, and practice having pup heel past distractions you have put on the ground. Practice having pup recall away from distractions while on a long leash as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23zEy-e6Khg Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, I would work on training Boi to heel as you walk. The methods here are all excellent but I think he may do well with the Turns Method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel. Practice this on every walk - Bio has a clever mind and will likely do really well as he concentrates on the task at hand. As well, ask Boi for a "sit" before every event: before getting his meals, before the leash is put on to go out, before a treat, before playtime etc. This will instill respect and will also get him used to listening to you and paying attention. Also to sharpen the listening skills, take a look at this guide in its entirety. There are excellent tips:https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you. Good luck and have fun!

Hello! If you are overpowered by your dog’s pulling and cannot start the teaching process for fear of being pulled over, then there are humane equipment solutions to help modify the pulling while you teach your dog to walk appropriately. A chest-led harness is a perfect training aid, as it takes pressure off a dog’s sensitive neck by distributing the pressure more evenly around the body. When the leash is attached to a ring located on the chest strap and your dog pulls, the harness will turn his body around rather than allowing him to go forward. I recommend this kind of harness for anyone who needs extra help, as safety has to come first. Leash pulling is often successful for the dog because the person inadvertently reinforces the pulling by allowing their dog to get to where he wants to go when he pulls. But you can change this picture by changing the consequence for your dog. When he pulls, immediately stop and stand completely still until the leash relaxes, either by your dog taking a step back or turning around to give you focus. When the leash is nicely relaxed, proceed on your walk. Repeat this as necessary. If you find this technique too slow you can try the reverse direction method. When your dog pulls, issue a 'Let’s Go' cue, turn away from him and walk off in the other direction, without jerking on the leash. You can avoid yanking by motivating your dog to follow you with an excited voice to get his attention. When he is following you and the leash is relaxed, turn back and continue on your way. It might take a few turns but your vocal cues and body language will make it clear that pulling will not be reinforced with forward movement, but walking calmly by your side or even slightly in front of you on a loose leash will allow your dog to get to where he wants to go. You can also reinforce your dog’s decision to walk close to you by giving him a motivating reward when he is by your side. Once your dog is listening to you more, you can vary the picture even more by becoming unpredictable yourself. This means your dog has to listen to you at all times because he never knows when you are going to turn or where you are going to go next. Instead of turning away from him when you give the let’s go cue, reverse direction by turning towards him. You can turn in a circle or do a figure of eight. Any of these variations will get your dog’s attention. Do not forget to praise him for complying, because the better you make him feel walking close to you, the more he will chose to do so.