Leash Tension Game

Leashes are a management tool (a legally required tool in most common dog accessible locations) to help keep your dog safe and connected to their handler.  Leash tension is unavoidable, especially early on.  Teaching your dog how to respond when it feels that tension prevents you from having to micromanage your dog while you walk.  Instead of pulling against the tension they will move in the direction of tension to create a loose leash.

Prerequisite Skills	Gear
Leash and Harness Desensitization Engagement Marker Word	Leash and/or harness Treat Pouch with Treats

To teach your dog how to respond to leash tension:

• Position yourself, relative to your dog, so that you can intentionally create tension in the leash.  It is easiest to do this to one side and/or slightly behind your dog. 

• Create tension in the leash.  The goal is to create enough tension that we are confident that the dog feels it but not enough that it physically moves the dog.

  • If you feel them fight it by bracing against the leash you may be pulling to hard.

• Stand still and maintain the leash tension until the dog moves in the direction of the leash.  Mark the instant there is slack in the leash and then reward. 

• Change your position, reset, and repeat the exercise.  The more rapidly you can do this the better.  We want it to feel like a game (think tag or chase) for our dog.

• Do 5-10 reps in a session then take a break or work on something else.

• Repeat this exercise until the dog “catches on.” 

  • “Catching On” looks like the dog picking up on the pattern and changing direction so fast that when you reposition it will be hard to create leash tension.  Each time your change positions the dog will move with you.  This is the goal – we want the dog to recognize and practice the behavior of moving with you.

• Generalize this behavior:

  • Start by incrementally reducing how much leash tension is required to get the dog to respond.

  • Repeat the exercise in a variety of locations: different rooms, backyards, garages, front yards, neighborhood, parks, etc.

  • Instead of specifically working on leash tension start to add 1-2 reps into other training scenarios: Loose Leash Walking, Play, Basic Obedience, anytime the dog has a leash and harness on.

    • Take it out into the real world for practica use.  Use the light leash tension:

      • As a guide for changing direction

      • An indicator for which side to maneuvering around a post (or any vertical object)

      • Support for walking with your dog when they start to wander for a sniff