Using the methods outlined in our guide on how to stop your dog from pulling on the leash, you can finally put an end to your dog’s leash pulling for good. There is at least one person in our social circles who can expertly walk their dog while holding the leash. They are not being pulled down the street, twisted around trees, or entangled with the beloved dog of a neighbor who is also out for an afternoon walk at the same time.
It’s more likely that you’ll lose accidental control of a dog that pulls on the leash. If the dog keeps running, it poses dangers for both of you, including the likelihood of a fall in which you could land on your face. If you and your dog have strong leash manners, you’ll both be able to avoid the distraction of a game of tug-of-war and enjoy your walks more.
Why Do Dogs Pull On The Leash?
Dogs frequently tug on the leash when they are excited, worried, or want to investigate their surroundings. They may also pull if they are attempting to reach something specific, such as a human or another animal.
It is possible for some dogs to pull on their owner’s leash either because they are poorly trained or because they are attempting to assert themselves as the alpha dog in the pack. In order to make walks more pleasant for both dog and owner, leash tugging can be minimized through training and regular control.
Tips For Improving Your Dog’s Leash Walking Skills
Here are a few tips for stopping your dog from pulling on the leash:
Start In A Non Exciting Area
Beginning the process of teaching your dog to walk well on a leash requires you to select a location that is calm, unexciting, and has a minimum number of potential distractions. Your dog will be able to concentrate on you and the training without being excessively stimulated as a result of doing this.
It is critical to train in a variety of situations and progressively increase distractions to help your dog realize that they should not tug on the leash in any situation. If you accomplish this, you’ll be able to educate your dog to walk well on a leash in a variety of environments.
Also, remember to reward your dog for positive conduct to reinforce the desired behavior and to be persistent and patient with your training. Your dog will eventually learn to walk gently while on a leash if you give him enough time and effort.
Reward Your Dog When They Are By Your Side
One of the most important aspects of teaching your dog not to tug on the leash is rewarding him or her while they are close by. Good conduct can be reinforced with food rewards, verbal praise, or both. To motivate your dog to work, provide goodies that he or she genuinely enjoys.
Check out your dog’s reaction to various treats to find out what he or she likes best. Dogs thrive on positive reinforcement, and they’ll be more likely to keep up the good work if you show your appreciation. To indicate your dog that you are satisfied with their conduct, use a pleasant tone of voice and pat them on the head or chest.
Play The “Follow Me” Game
The follow me game is a fun and practical technique to train your dog to walk on a leash gently. Find a quiet, confined location with minimal distractions to play in. Stand in front of your dog with a leash attached to their collar.
Put a treat right under your dog’s nose and start to back away gently. Say “follow me” and hold out the reward to entice your dog to come with you. Give the treat and lots of praise to your dog when it is strolling calmly by your side.
Repeat the technique, increasing the distance and duration of each walk progressively. As your dog’s behavior improves, you can introduce distractions like people or other animals to help them generalize the behavior.
Use Your Movement To Your Advantage
Using your mobility to your advantage is an effective method for teaching your dog not to pull on the leash. Here are a few examples of how you might benefit from your movement:
Change direction: You should change course immediately if your dog begins to pull. This will teach them that pulling is ineffective.
Walk in a figure-eight pattern: You can teach your dog to focus on you and pay attention to your motions by strolling in a figure-eight pattern.
Use a front-clip harness: A front-clip harness attaches to your dog’s chest and can be an excellent tool for directing their focus back to you when walking. This style of harness can also discourage pulling by allowing you to steer your dog in the desired direction.
A front-clip harness is very useful for dogs who are powerful pullers or who pull to the side or in front of their person. It is critical to properly fit the harness and use it as a training aid rather than depending on it to avoid tugging entirely.
What NOT To Do When Your Dog Is Pulling On Leash
When your dog is pulling on the leash, there are a few things you should be sure not to do, including the following:
Don’t yank or pull on the leash: Yanking or pulling on the leash can cause your dog to become fearful or anxious, and may even cause physical harm.
Don’t let your dog pull you: Allowing your dog to pull you may reinforce the behavior and make it harder to train them to stop pulling.
Don’t use a choke chain or pinch collar: These collars can be dangerous to your dog and should be avoided.
Don’t give up: When your dog pulls on the leash, it might be irritating, but it is critical to be patient and persistent with your training. Your dog will learn to walk gently on a leash with time and effort.
Final Thoughts
It takes time and consistency to teach your dog not to pull on the leash. A front-clip harness, training aids, and rewarding your dog for excellent behavior are just a few of the equipment and approaches that can help educate your dog to walk calmly on a leash.
Your dog will learn to walk gently on a leash with time and effort, and you will both be able to enjoy stress-free walks together.
