Loose leash walking is a crucial skill to teach your dog. It not only improves the walking experience for both you and your dog, but also promotes a safer environment for everyone. By focusing on you instead of lunging or barking at passersby, your dog becomes less of a distraction to others.

Similar to heeling, this task demands that your dog ignores all distractions and maintains focus. Therefore, it is best to start training in an area with minimal distractions. Additionally, use a high-value reward, such as a small piece of real chicken, to keep your dog's attention on you rather than potential distractions.

• Using a typical 4–6-foot leash, ask your dog to 'come' and stand next to you.
  
• Stand still for a few seconds.
• Once there is no tension on the leash, reward your dog.
• Begin walking forward.
• As soon as you feel the leash tighten up, stop moving. Do not yank or pull the leash; just stop moving forward.
• Stand still and ignore your dog until they make any movement that loosens the leash, how tiny the amount of loosening.
• Reward your dog, then start over again.

Keep at it until your dog truly grasps the concept. Slowly expose them to more challenging environments.