There is nothing better than a Border Collie that walks nicely on a lead. There is nothing worse than a dog that pulls, jumps around, lurches barking at everything in sight, and tries to drag you down the street.

Is your dog like that? Do you know anyone who battles with a dog like that? It just makes going out with your dog a nightmare.

Here are some techniques to help you train your Border Collie to walk nicely down the street....

Tips for Leash Training

Always have treats with you but they are not necessarily of much use when you go for a walk as the reward for your dog is to continue walking. Something to think about is that your dog naturally moves more quickly than you do.

Step 1. Your walk starts as soon as you pick up the lead. Remember to only reward your dog for behavior you want it to repeat. Therefore, if your Border Collie is jumping around in ecstatic excitement stand still until your dog sits or stands nicely. Then continue. When your dog pulls on the lead, bring it back to your side and loosen the lead. Every time your dog does this repeat.

Step 2. With your dog sitting nicely by your side, on a loose lead, reward it with a step forward. If your dog pulls, go back to step 1 and start again. Yes, it does take time and a lot of patience, but the reward is 15 years of having your Border Collie walk nicely on its lead.

Step 3. Practise walking your dog on the lead around your yard, so by the time you are ready to go for walks outside your home your dog has an understanding of what you want from it.

Leash Training Hints

A dog that pulls you out of the door is a dog that will pull you down the street. When your dog starts pulling you around, stop and bring your dog back beside you, loosen the lead, and try one of the following techniques:

• stay still and wait for your dog to settle down and pay attention to you
• get your dog’s attention and when you get it, reward the behavior
• tell your dog to sit and reward it when it does
• start walking backwards
• do not let your Border Collie make decisions about where you are going
• walk in a small, tight circle to get your dog’s attention

By using these techniques as tools you teach your dog the only way to move forward is on a loose lead. You are teaching it that as soon as the lead tightens you slow down or stop.

With patience and consistency your dog will soon be walking by your side nicely. Never punish your dog as it will just make training even harder and it will not understand your anger. A dog understands reward and praise, and by using these as training methods you build a strong bond of unconditional love and trust with your Border Collie.