Loose leash walking can be challenging to teach and learn, but introducing and practicing an easy pattern game for dogs on walks can be a powerful tool. This module will guide you through how to implement the 2 Step pattern game for building loose leash walking skills.
Pattern games for dogs help to provide simple and predictable behaviors that help to increase focus and lower arousal. These can be especially helpful when teaching loose leash walking. This pattern game helps keep your dog focused and engaged and following your movement.
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Start in a lower distraction environment and build up distractions gradually.
Find a space that gives you a decent amount of room to walk; hallways are great places to practice this.
Grab lots of yummy treats and your treat pouch.
Start without your leash and harness (but have them handy).
First make sure that you’ve got your dog’s attention. This is a great place to practice some other cues that you may have already learned like Look and Touch, or something your dog knows and can do successfully.
Give yourself and your dog some walking space you’ll need to be able to take approximately 10–20 steps each pass.
Start with your dog on your right side, don't worry, you’ll eventually work up to practice on both sides.
Get your dog’s attention, using Name works here, or using a Look or Touch (remember to reward for whichever cue you’ve used), then place 2 or 3 small treats next to your right heel on the ground.
As your dog is eating the treats, take 2 small steps forward.
As your dog is finishing up the treats and begins to look up or toward you, or starts to approach you, drop a few more treats next to your right foot.
And repeat… as your dog is eating the treats, take 2 small steps forward, and repeat step 6, and so on until you’ve reached the end.
Give your dog a quick break, and repeat steps 3–6 heading the opposite direction.
Keep this training short and sweet.
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Once your pup has the game down pat, you can start increasing difficulty in a few ways, but remember not to make it too difficult too quickly and change one thing at a time!
Try taking 3 steps in between each food drop at your feet. It’s great to vary the difficulty when upping the game. So if you add 3 steps, every so often go back to rewarding after 2 steps, then 3 steps again. Once your pup has 3 steps down, try increasing to 4 steps, and so on. Remember to keep varying between harder and easier so your pup gets lots of wins.
Try practicing amid distractions. Start in the house, and add things like walking past a toy or an empty food bowl. Once your pup is a pro, you can increase difficulty with harder distractions.
Once your pup has got the game inside, try adding the harness and the leash to your inside practice. This will help set them up for working outside as well.
When your pup is ready, try bringing this exercise outside. It’s best to start this exercise with some indoor practice first to make sure your pup has some wins, then begin outside. Start in a lower distraction outdoor environment first, like a backyard or patio. Because this change in context is often a big one for pups to navigate, it’s best to start the 2 Step game from the beginning. Practicing the initial steps above and working in the same gradual manner you did inside.
Slowly work in more distractions in your outside environment, but remember to also include some easy passes so your pup has lots of chances for reinforcement.
Once you and your pup have got the game, try taking it out on the road. Remember to start small and work up, and provide lots of opportunities for reinforcement.
By practicing these dog leash training tips and using pattern games for dogs, you'll set the foundation for better behavior and more enjoyable walks.
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