How to Stop Your Dog from Pulling on a Leash
Having a dog who is always pulling on his leash can take the fun out of any trip! Before you hit the road together, teach your pooch to walk nicely.
Taking your dog on a trip can be a lot of fun, but no one likes being dragged around everywhere. It's difficult and tiring to walk a dog who is pulling on the leash, not to mention frustrating for both you and your pup.
In this post, we will discuss how to train your dog to stop pulling on the leash. It takes patience, practice, and consistency, but the result will be a well-behaved dog that is enjoyable to walk no matter where the trail leads you.
Teaching your dog to quit pulling on the leash is difficult.
Step 1: Start slow at home.
It's common for pup parents to fail to set their dogs up for success when teaching them to walk nicely on a leash. They may go from having never taken their pup on a leash to walking in unfamiliar areas with all sorts of dangers and distractions. Yet some dog owners somehow expect their dog will know how to behave and do so without question in any environment.
Training your dog to walk on a loose leash is just as much of a challenge as teaching any other behavior. Beginning in a low-distraction environment will make it easier to teach him how you want him to behave.
The safest location to learn new behaviors is inside your home, no matter if your dog is a young puppy, a rebellious teenager, or an aging dog in need of new skills.
It's not always the case that what your dog learns at home translates to the outside world. You will need to build up his skills before he figures out that not pulling on his leash is the best option in every environment.
Step 2: Use gear that helps, not hurts.
Your dog pulling on the leash is the greatest problem to fix when working on leash manners. A chest-attached harness gives you more control when walking your dog. A martingale loop that tightens around your dog's body when he pulls gives even more control. Your gear can now function as a teaching assistant by providing your dog with a "squeeze" when pulling and releasing when he is not.
Choosing a 4 to 6 feet long leash that comfortably fits in your hand is the best choice. Retractable leashes reward your dog every time he pulls by extending even further, so avoid them! If you're beginning with a dog that pulls hard and frequently, you may want a leash with a traffic control handle to gain more control without having to wrap the leash around your hand.
Some people believe that slip, choke, prong, and electric collars will speed up the training process. These collars rely on pain to prevent a dog from pulling, and the pain must be severe enough to stop the dog from pulling. On the other hand, inflicting that level of pain on your dog may be detrimental to your relationship with him.
These collars might appear to provide fast results, but they are unlikely to endure. Dogs become accustomed to feeling the pressure around their necks and begin pulling again over time. The pain level must be increased in order to convince the dog to obey. You and your dog would both be better off avoiding this path.
Step 3: Teach your dog to walk on a loose leash.
You can employ two methods to help your dog stop pulling on the leash.
Walk with your dog holding treats in your closed hand, allowing him to sniff at them to keep his attention and keep him walking beside you rather than pulling ahead. Then, open your hand every few moments and reward him with a treat for walking beside you.
Another method is, rather than continuing to walk when your dog pulls, you can stop and wait for him to stop pulling. Once he notices you aren't walking forward with him, turn and begin walking in the opposite direction.
Initially, your dog will probably drag you in the opposite direction as soon as you start walking. However, with enough practice, he will get tired of staying in the same area and realize that if he wishes to continue walking, he must proceed more slowly.
Try both of these methods to see which one works better for you and your dog to teach him to stop pulling on the leash.
Step 4: Positive reinforcement should be your goal.
Focusing on positive reinforcement is essential when training a dog not to pull on the leash.
If a dog is punished for pulling on the leash, he will become afraid and may pull even harder. A dog will learn to associate walking peacefully next to you with being rewarded if you reward him.
Your dog's rewards should be appropriate. Rewards such as treats, petting, playing with a toy, or even verbal praise can let your pup know you are happy with his progress. Make sure your dog enjoys whatever you do so that he will be more likely to want to repeat it.
Step 5: Always have 'high value' treats on hand.
Many people believe that anything will suffice when it comes to training their dogs. However, this is not true! Especially when teaching your dog something as difficult as staying on the leash.
The way to get your dog's attention is to offer him high-value rewards. This could be his favorite kind of food or a treat he rarely gets.
Your dog will be more engaged with you if you offer him a treat he can smell from far away. Note that your dog will be less distracted by his surroundings if you are offering him a treat that smells strong.
Experimenting with a few options might be necessary to find a treat your pet likes. Once you've found it, the best rewards will be obvious. You may try popular high-value rewards with your pet, including cheese, bacon, dehydrated liver or salmon, chicken, hot dogs, or his favorite squeaky toy.
Step 6: Raise The Stakes
Your dog should be able to walk on a loose leash indoors before you venture outside your home. Your yard will have few distractions but lots of noises and scents, so you should increase the value of the treats you provide to keep his attention.
After you've done a few successful morning or evening walks with your dog, you may want to try taking them on your usual walking route.
Your puppy may experience a small setback in training if he has been pulling on the leash during walks. Be patient, keep your walks short, and reward him more frequently at first for good behavior! As your puppy's abilities increase, you can slowly increase the time between rewards.
Don’t forget: always make time for fun.
Training your dog not to pull is important, but you also don't want to make your walks all work and no play. If he likes what he's doing, your dog will stay focused. When you see your dog walking beside you without pulling for a few minutes, reward him by allowing him to stop and sniff the flowers (and fire hydrants).
Training a dog not to pull on the leash takes time, patience, and high-value treats. Remember to maintain a positive attitude while letting your dog have some fun along the way. Using these tips, you should be well on your way to more enjoyable adventures with your dog.
