Walking a yellow lab

Question
How do you train an 18mo yellow lab to walk on a leash?  My lab just pulls and keeps zig-zagging in front of me.

Answer
Hi Allen,

Even though your lab has out grown the age to be trained, you can still walk with him on your side and keep the leash length small. He will tend to go zig zag and try to smell everything. You need to pull the leash and make sure he'll walk with you.

Since he is not used to it, he'll give you a questioning look the first few times you do it. Slowly with practice he'll begin to understand that he is supposed to walk alongside you.

Do not shout or yell at him when he tries to run zig zag - just gently tug at the leash strongly enough that he knows he is supposed to walk straight. I suggest if you are walking on the left side of the road, keep your lab on the left side so he can do his thing - else he'll keep criss crossing your path.

This requires some patience. I wish I could show you how to do this. The trick is to make sure you 'teach' him to walk - not bully him into walking a straight line.

Best,
Sameer