TRAINING TIPS · LEASH MANNERS & OWNER COACHING
On a good walk, you can feel the change through your hand. Your dog notices something, turns back toward you, and the leash hangs loose again. The part I care about most happens a few steps later. Does your dog check in again while the leash is already slack?
What I mean by balanced training
Trainers use the word “balanced” in different ways. At Dogi-Fi, the useful conversation is about what happens on an actual walk. What have we taught the dog? What feedback do they get when they make the right choice? Can the owner deliver it with the same timing? Here’s how I explain two kinds of reinforcement to a client.
Release. If your dog turns toward you, tension comes off the leash, and the dog starts turning toward you more often in that situation, the release has reinforced the turn. That’s negative reinforcement: something the dog wanted relief from went away, and the behavior increased. If the line stays tight through the turn, you’ve missed the moment that could tell the dog which movement worked.
Reward. When your dog checks in on a slack leash, mark that instant with “YES,” then give them something they value. It might be food or a “break” to investigate a patch of grass. If check-ins become more frequent, that’s positive reinforcement. You have a way to build the same skill even when there was never any tension to release.
What this looks like in practice
Imagine your dog wants to reach a tree. From a comfortable distance, say “this way” and turn. The moment your dog follows, leave slack in the line. Mark the turn, take a few easy steps together, then let them sniff. Over several walks, look for earlier turns and more stretches of loose leash. If your dog is already barking, bracing, or trying to get away, give them more space and practice the familiar cue somewhere easier. Increasing pressure at that moment can add to their distress.
In one of our patio sessions, a dog stays seated while the handler steps away and the leash rests loose on the ground. That’s a useful result in that specific setting. In an owner lesson, I’d ask the owner to repeat a shorter version and notice the first weight shift that says the dog is about to stand. Timing gets easier when you know what to watch.
Results an owner can check
On your next walk, pick one short stretch. Count voluntary check-ins, note how often you repeat “this way,” and watch how quickly your dog returns to sniffing comfortably after a distraction. Compare the same stretch on another day. A dog who offers attention sooner, and an owner who needs fewer reminders, give us something concrete to build on.
Need help reading that moment? See private training with Dogi-Fi or tell Liam what happens on your walks.
Further reading: UC Davis on loose-leash walking · Merck Veterinary Manual on reinforcement
