How to control a dog with your voice on walks

I suggest that all dog owners honestly answer one question. When you go for a walk, what do you use the leash for: to belay and help the dog, or to control and manage? Can you in most cases, with the exception of very emergency, do without the influence of the leash – controlling the dog only with your voice?

Many dog ​​owners want to walk their pets off-leash. And this is a completely understandable desire. But in order to be able to let the dog go free swimming, you need to learn how to control it without the influence of the leash, that is, only with your voice and gestures. How to control a dog by voice on walks?

First of all, the dog must be taught these very voice commands. And so that they are not “white noise” for her, which is easier to ignore, but really significant signals. which are mandatory. And not because the dog is afraid of you. But because she learned: it’s great, pleasant and profitable to listen to you, but it still won’t work to ignore.

It is also necessary to teach the dog that some things are done by default. For example, before moving to a place that could be potentially dangerous, you need to stop and wait for the owner’s instructions. For example, when you approach a crosswalk: does your dog stop before the leash is pulled on?

It is extremely important to teach your dog the perfect call. This means that you can recall your pet from chasing a cat or a bird, from playing with a dog or unraveling hare tracks the first time. There are many exercises that allow you to achieve perfection in this skill. And, of course, you need to at least avoid gross, but common mistakes that many owners make. For example, do not call the dog just to put it on a leash. Or not to punish after the call. Etc.

It is imperative to teach your pet to move near your leg without a leash. It doesn’t have to be a regulatory movement nearby. It is enough that the dog does not move further than a meter from you without a permission signal.

If you are training to control only your voice on walks, it is better to start from sparsely populated places where the dog is not distracted by various stimuli. And then increase the difficulty level.

It is better if at first you throw a long leash on the ground, and he drags after the dog. This, on the one hand, will create an illusion of freedom in her, and on the other hand, it will not deprive you of control in a critical situation or if the pet ignores your voice signal.

Be sure to practice contact exercises. It is important to be the center of the universe for the dog, and not just an annoying attachment to a leash or a bag of treats. Your dog needs to be interested in you.

Indispensable games for the development of motivation to stay close to you. But of course, this is not done through intimidation or threats.

The ability to control the dog with your voice on walks is priceless. It will give both you and your pet more freedom and make life together much more comfortable and enjoyable.