Taking your dog for a walk is good fun and exercise, but not if your pet thinks he gets to set the pace and tries to pull you along. Use these steps to train your dog to walk right by your side on a leash.

1. Fill your pockets with some treats.
2. Start walking, and give your dog a treat for every few steps he takes while walking right beside you.
3. When your dog starts to speed up and reaches the end of his leash, stop walking.
4. Call your dog back to you, and pause for a moment. Then start walking again, giving your dog treats every few steps so long as he stays beside you.
5. Gradually increase the amount of steps between giving your dog treats.
6. Eventually your dog will understand he has to always walk beside you without pulling away.

Here are some more tips you can use to help increase your chances for success:

• Keep your training sessions short at first, so the two of you don’t get frustrated with each other.
• If your dog gets too excited when he sees you get out his leash, stand completely still and wait until he calms down before you clip his leash on. After a few tries, he’ll know that he has to be still before you’ll put his leash on.
• To help your dog resist the impulse to run, find a way to burn off some of that extra energy before you start your walk. Try playing fetch or tug first.
• Don’t give your dog too much of a chance to get distracted. Keep him from wandering off or stopping altogether by walking a little faster than normal.