Leash walking is one of those things that sounds simple until you're actually doing it. Anyone who has been dragged down a Plantation sidewalk by a 60-pound Labrador or had a small terrier wrap its leash around their ankles for the fifth time in a block knows that a well-behaved dog on leash doesn't happen by accident.
The good news: loose-leash walking is a learnable skill for almost any dog. The frustrating news: it takes more consistency than most owners realize. Here's what professional dog walkers know about how to get there.
Why Leash Problems Happen
Before you can fix a leash problem, it helps to understand where it comes from. Most common issues trace back to one of three causes:
The Dog Was Never Taught
Many dogs are never formally taught that pulling doesn't work. If they pull and the walk continues, they learn that pulling is how you go faster. If they lunge at another dog and the owner crosses the street, they learn that lunging achieves the goal of avoiding the other dog. The behavior gets reinforced without anyone intending it.
Inconsistency Between Handlers
This is one of the most common culprits, especially in households with multiple people walking the dog. If one person allows pulling and another doesn't, the dog learns that the rules depend on who's holding the leash — and they'll test the limits with everyone.
Under-Stimulation
A dog that hasn't had enough mental or physical exercise is going to have a much harder time walking calmly. Some dogs that seem "bad on leash" are simply dogs that have too much pent-up energy and not enough outlet.
The Basics of Loose-Leash Walking
Loose-leash walking means the leash has a J-shape — slack, with no tension. You're not fighting the dog, and the dog isn't fighting you.
The Stop-and-Wait Method
When your dog hits the end of the leash and creates tension, you stop. Completely. You don't pull back, you don't scold — you simply become a tree. The moment the leash goes slack (because the dog looks back at you or takes a step back toward you), you mark the moment with a "yes" or a clicker and resume walking.
This sounds tedious, and at first it is. Some dogs require dozens of stops in a single block. But dogs learn quickly when the pattern is clear: tension means the walk stops, slack means the walk continues.
Reward the Check-Ins
Any time your dog voluntarily glances back at you while walking, that's gold. Mark it and reward it. You're building the habit of your dog checking in with you — which is the foundation of good leash behavior.
Keep Sessions Short
Long, frustrating training walks help no one. Better to do a 10-minute focused training walk than a 45-minute walk that degrades into a pulling match. Set the dog up to succeed, end on a good note, and build from there.
What Professional Walkers Reinforce
When a dog goes out with a professional walker multiple times a week, consistency matters enormously. If the walker allows behaviors the owner is trying to correct — or uses a different approach — the training progress stalls.
At Hoof & Paw, Sheryl works with each dog's existing training and builds on it rather than working against it. If you're working on loose-leash walking at home, let her know — she'll reinforce the same cues and approaches during her walks. That consistency across handlers is one of the most valuable things a professional walker can offer.
Equipment Notes
No piece of equipment replaces training, but the right equipment can make the process easier:
Avoid retractable leashes during any leash training — they teach dogs that tension is normal and that leash length is variable.
If you're in Plantation, Davie, Cooper City, Sunrise, or elsewhere in Broward County and want a walker who will reinforce your training work and treat your dog as an individual, reach out to Sheryl at **(954) 807-1716**.