Why Should Dogs Heel When They Can Learn to Walk on a Loose Leash?
Occasionally I’m asked to teach a dog to heel. It could be a puppy or a dog that’s reactive, or one who’s just pulling too much. As a way of walking together, the preferred alternative to heeling—for many years now—is loose-leash walking. LLW is a new concept for many people. But once they learn how it works and understand that LLW is much easier and liberating for both ends of the leash, they become converts.
In my view, heeling should be restricted to competition obedience. It’s very regimented, like a forced march, so not at all fun for dogs: It doesn’t allow them to walk at their own pace, stop to sniff or watch something interesting—to just be a dog enjoying a walk with her human companion.
Of course, I’m not advocating that we should just let them go at their preferred pace, or allow unlimited sniffing or staring, or let ourselves be dragged around, following wherever the dog leads us. Walks should be comfortable and pleasant for both parties, a bonding activity.
Here are the benefits of LLW:
Mental Enrichment
Although most people think of walks as providing exercise for dogs, unless it’s a really long or fast one, it’s actually more about mental enrichment via the nose, ears, and eyes—a whole lot of things that are beyond our senses.
Choice and Control
In contrast to heeling, LLW allows our dogs some (limited) control over their own movements and choices—and ultimately more freedom and more walks, as we learn to trust that they can make good choices, given the right conditions. Allowing a certain amount of control and choices certainly helps dogs to relax and enjoy their walks more—and that’s so beneficial for behavioral health in general!
Overcoming Reactivity (in part)
LLW can even help to prevent reactivity. Reactivity happens when a dog fears other dogs (or certain people, noisy trucks, kids on bikes, or lawnmowers, etc.). When these scary stimuli are encountered on leash, a worried or panicked dog perceives only two choices: Try to get away or try to make it go away by barking and lunging. When a leash takes away the “flight” option, the second option, “fight,” is all that’s left, in her mind. Many dogs labeled as aggressive are just doing what makes them feel safer.
When a handler tries to prevent reactivity by keeping the leash very short and tight, that actually causes more stress! Used that way, the leash takes away the dog’s sense of control, potentially making her feel unsafe. Can you imagine going on a walk with your partner with his/her hand around your neck, directing every movement?
Moreover, constant tension in the leash typically causes the dog’s body and mind to tense up, which often triggers the very behaviors you’re trying to prevent!
Relaxing You Too
When you are feeling more relaxed about the walk, and relaxing your own body instead of being all clenched up (and maybe off balance) as you try to keep your dog in heel position, well, that helps your dog relax too.
Don’t Drive With the Brakes On
If the leash is always tight as you walk, your dog cannot distinguish when you want to Stop and when it’s okay to Go. And she is getting reinforced for pulling if you just keep moving forward.
A loose leash means Let’s Go, unless you give the cue to Wait (stand still until released) or Go Sniff.
Using the leash only briefly to brake, and then letting out a bit gives the dog the ability to stand in her own balance, instead of leaning against the leash or feeling completely controlled by it. Balance promotes calmness. After a moment of standing on a loose leash, rebalancing and reconnecting with each other, we can then resume our walk.
LLW usually has to be learned—and not only by dogs! It’s equally important for anyone who wants to enjoy walking their dog to learn new ways to handle the leash more skillfully. And there are techniques to allow excited, high-energy dogs to either slow down or to go faster without dragging you behind. LLW is about cooperation and communication, not rigid control.
Copyright Lisa Benshoff 2019