First, a few general thoughts.

Everybody, stay calm.

Avoid the temptation to excite your dog before his walk. Instead, stay calm. Pet him calmly and in a soft voice suggest that you go outside. If the dog is bouncing around like a circus monkey before leaving, he’ll be even worse on the leash.

Secondly, YOU go through the door first. If he forces his way out the door, calmly stand still so he has to stop and then call him back inside. Once back inside, reward him with a loving pat on the head and then try it again. Continue this until he lets you go first. He’ll figure it out.

Walk. Don’t meander.

Walk briskly, so that your dog doesn’t stop to smell every interesting smell. The dog will quickly learn that you’re leading the walk and that he better keep up. He’ll learn to stay focused and not to follow that amazing nose of his.

If he pulls, stop.

This is something you’ll hear a lot when leash-training. If your dogs ever pulls, DO NOT pull back. This becomes a tug of war and the dog will soon expect leash tension. The dog will incorrectly think leash slack is a BAD thing and will want the tension.

So if you feel tension, stop. Once the dogs turns and looks at you, wondering why you’re stopped (and he will), calmly call him back to you. When he returns, reward him with a treat or with a loving pat on the head and calm voice, then proceed with the walk again.

Do this EVERY time he pulls. This might make for very short walks at first. That’s ok. Stay persistent!

Walk more often, not necessarily longer.

It’s usually best to take more frequent walks, even if they’re shorter walks. A young dog is working very hard when he’s out on a walk. He’s seeing new things, smelling new things and trying to process all your new commands. Walk a few times per days if possible, only 15-20 minutes at a time.

Your pup wants to be like you!

Doodles are smart and empathetic. Ultimately, their behavior will mirror yours. If you stay calm, consistent and under control, so will he. If you freak out, yell or yank…so will he!