Become a Tree

Author: Denise Partlow

Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas

The “become a tree” method helps a dog learn how to respond to the pressure they feel when they get to the end of the leash.

Typically what happens, we loosen the pressure by either walking faster or extending our arm out giving the dog an extra 2 feet. Instead, we want the dog to loosen the tension. Ultimately, they do this by slowing down or returning to the handler.

To practice the “become a tree” method, You’ll have to be watchful. Watch when your dog gets ahead of you-you can usually tell this is going to happen when your dog starts to gain speed.

The moment you see that, plant your feet and become a tree. As your dog gets to the end of the leash, don’t do anything other than maintain the tension on that leash. Don’t pull your dog to you and don’t put slack in the leash. Just wait. Wait for your dog to do anything that loosens that leash. For the first time, it can take a few minutes.

There are a variety of ways your dog may losen that tension in the beginning-it can be something as simple as a head tilt, neck turn, backing up, walking halfway to you or walking all the way back to you. When that happens, you mark and reward. Let your dog come to you to get that reward.

Make sure your reward is highly motivating, something your dog absolutely cannot resist. I like to use hotdogs, bacon, deli meats, or cheese. Something super special and motivating, after all you have a lot to compete with outdoors. You want your dog to want to focus on you during this learning process. Overtime, you can decrease the value.

And now…start all over again. Don’t continue where you left off. You must go all the way back to the beginning location and do this again. And again. And again.

You will likely notice that when you start again you will get a little farther than your last repetition. But as soon as you notice your dog getting ahead, become a tree and start the process over again.

Each day you will get a little further but it is important that you do not go for your regular walk until your dog is no longer pulling as you enter new territory.

In addition, when your dog is doing it right, build value in keeping that leash loose by rewarding often.