The Importance of Leash Training Your Dog

Leash training (or lack therefof) greatly impacts various areas of your life with your dog. For example, we love to take our dogs places with us, but in most places we need a leash to do so. Whether walking around the neighborhood or visiting the farmers market, dogs typically are legally required to be leashed. We are so used to seeing dogs on leashes that we often forget how unnatural it is for the dog. For this reason, training is required to teach a dog to feel safe on a leash. In this article, we focus on the importance of leash training, rather than the mechanics of teaching this skill.

 

Why is Leash Training so Important?

There are several reasons it is important for dogs to be under control while on leash. The first is safety. A dog is much more likely to hurt itself or others if out of control on leash. Pulling on the leash makes it harder to hold onto the dog, so dropping the leash is more likely. It is also potentially harmful to the dog’s body, as they are exerting forces on parts of their body they shouldn’t be. Pulling is equally damaging to our bodies, especially our rotator cuffs. A recent study showed that seniors are at a higher risk for injury when walking dogs. A dog who is untrained to walk on leash is more likely to become frustrated, which can lead to leash reactivity.