Buckhead Pet Pals’ Dog Walking Guide for Atlanta Pet Parents

Atlanta’s bustling streets and beautiful parks offer the perfect backdrop for dog walking adventures. However, a peaceful stroll can quickly turn chaotic if your furry friend hasn’t mastered the art of leash walking. Today, I’m exploring some positive reinforcement techniques to help you and your canine companion enjoy stress-free walks around your neighborhood, the city, and beyond. Here’s Buckhead Pet Pals’ Dog Walking Guide for Atlanta Pet Parents!

The Right Equipment Matters

First and foremost, you don’t want to step outside with the wrong equipment. Doing so is the best way to ruin your walk before it starts. Here, I’m sharing the top tips we share with our team at Buckhead Pet Pals. After 26+ years of walking dogs professionally in Metro Atlanta, we know a thing of two about what works and what doesn’t.

6-Foot Leashes for Safety and Control

A 6-foot leash is ideal for city and neighborhood walks, offering the perfect balance between freedom and control. Six feet – max –  allows your dog some room to explore while keeping them close enough for safety in Atlanta’s urban environment. While you have six feet, you don’t usually need to give them that much, 3-4 feet of lead is plenty. Gather the leash to where you think your dog can comfortable walk with you without going too far.

No-Pull Harnesses for Dog that Pull

For strong dogs that tend to pull, a no-pull harness can be a game-changer. These harnesses discourage pulling without causing discomfort, making walks more enjoyable for both you and your pet. Plus, they protect the sensitive area around your dog’s throat from injury. When you use a collar to attach your leash and your dog pulls, they could be damaging their spine and neck, even injuring their thyroid gland. Read more about the harm that flat neck collars can cause here. And, explore the top rated no-pull harnesses here.

Leash Pressure Training

Teaching your dog to respond to gentle leash pressure will help guide him or her on walks. To do this,

1. Apply slight pressure to the leash
2. When your dog moves in the direction of the pressure, immediately release and reward
3. Practice this in all directions to improve overall leash responsiveness

Another great way to teach leash pressure is to turn in the opposite direction of the pull. This video gives you a tried and true framing of how to do this gently and positively. I recommend doing this at home in your yard or at a park before expecting your dog to walk down a narrow sidewalk because it takes practice.

Finally, if you find that the above techniques only force your dog to pull more in an opposite direction, consider standing still. This blog walks you through why this approach might help in certain cases.

The Power of Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the cornerstone of effective leash training. If you watched the video above, you saw that the treats were shared generously during each exercise. By rewarding good (aka desired) behavior, you encourage your dog to repeat it. When your pup walks calmly by your side, immediately offer praise and treats. This creates a positive association with proper leash etiquette.

Treats: Your Secret Weapon

Treats are invaluable tools for leash training. Use them to:

• Encourage Attention: Reward your dog for making eye contact or responding to their name during walks.
• Distract from Triggers: When you spot potential distractions like other dogs, use treats to redirect your pet’s focus back to you.
• Reinforce Good Behavior: Offer treats when your dog maintains a loose leash or walks politely beside you.

Low Value Treats

Not all treats are created equal. For things like urinating outside or resting in a “place,” you may just need low value treats to reward these behaviors. In fact, you may want to avoid treating with anything too delicious because you risk your dog running out and popping a squat only for the treat. If that’s the case, you trained them to ask for treats, not to urinate outside. Keeping the treats at a low value will encourage repeat behaviors without encouraging too much of the behavior.

A common low value/level treat is a piece of kibble.

High Value Treats

There are dogs that will need high value treats to feel motivated to learn a new trick or behavior. On walks, a reactive dog may require high level treats that are more attractive to him or her than the other dog, squirrel, etc. I love the saying “sexier than a squirrel,” which means that the treat you use has to be sexier than a squirrel (to your dog!) to keep his or her attention away from the squirrel.

Common high value treats include small chunks of hotdogs, cheese, or small stinky training treats that are sold in stores.

Treat Size

When treating your dog during training, you don’t want to give them anything that’s too large, crunchy, or takes too much time to eat. Instead, keep the size small so that your dog gobbles it up quickly and you can continue the lesson.

Practice Makes Progress

Consistency is key in leash training. Set aside time each day for dedicated training sessions and follow these important tips”

• Start in Low-Distraction Areas: Begin training in your backyard or a quiet park before venturing into busier areas
• Gradually Increase Challenges: As your dog improves, slowly introduce more distractions and longer walks
• Be Patient: Remember, leash training takes time. Celebrate small victories and remain consistent in your approach
• Be Consistent: Keep your equipment and techniques consistent so that your dog gets accustomed to a certain way of doing things. Only change it up if something is not working.

Buckhead Pet Pals’ Dog Walking Guide for Atlanta Pet Parents

Leash training your dog in Atlanta doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With positive reinforcement, the right equipment, and consistent practice, you and your furry best friend(s) can master the art of leash walking. Remember, every dog learns at their own pace, so be patient and enjoy the journey. Before you know it, you’ll be strolling through Piedmont Park or along the Atlanta BeltLine with a well-behaved canine companion by your side.

Remember, our team of dog walkers is here to help. We can walk your dog, reinforcing leash manners, and assisting you in this process. Count on us to not only help you take your dog’s leash walking to the next level but to also get them walking when you can’t!