~ by Will Bruner – Dog Trainer and Behavior Specialist
A dog pulling on the leash is one of the most common complaints that trainers get from dog owners.
I think if dogs could talk, they would spend a good portion of the walk looking back and yelling, “Come on, hurry up!”
Dogs love to get out and explore the world, but the one downside is we walk way too slow for most dogs. Also, once a dog learns that when it pulls you move forward, it quickly teaches the dog that pulling is the way to get where it wants.
That being said…it is not unrealistic to ask your dog to walk with you and respect the length of the leash.
Here are a few tips for teaching your dog to stop pulling on the leash and actually walk with you:
- Remember that a walk often starts before you leave the house. An overly excited dog is more likely to pull, especially at the beginning. So, teach your dog that being calm will get them the same result. We’re going to let you in on a secret, you don’t have to ask if your dog wants to go on a walk, the answer is always yes. If your dog goes nuts when you grab the leash, just wait until they calm down, then praise and put the leash on. The same applies when you walk to the door, wait for them to calm down then open the door. Reward with a treat for waiting. Then calmly walk out and start your walk. You’ll be amazed at the difference.
- Teach your dog the “Follow Me” game. You can practice this in your yard or even your driveway. Grab some treats, and a 6-foot leash. Hold your leash in one hand and begin to walk around. If your dog goes in one direction, call their name and go in a different direction. When the dog changes it’s direction to follow you, praise and reward with a treat. Keep repeating until your dog is following no matter which way you go. This teaches your dog to always keep an eye on you and where you’re going.
- Adopt a “zero-tolerance” policy for pulling on the walks. Every time your dog pulls, stop walking. Wait for your dog to look at you or sit down then reward with a treat and start walking again. As soon as they pull, stop again. This can be time consuming and tedious, but it’s re-teaching your dog what the leash is about. Don’t focus on how far your walking, but that your dog is not pulling you.
- Also, don’t let your dog pull you toward things. This includes smells, other dogs or people. Dogs who learn to drag you to anything will often drag you to everything.
Can I teach my old dog these new tricks?
If your dog has spent months or years learning to pull it’s not going to change overnight, but they can learn new habits. By applying these simple techniques, your dog can learn to experience the world, but now with you at its side instead of dragging behind.
Will is one of the very experienced trainers we have here at AZ Dog Sports.
Will Bruner’s Bio
Need help with getting your dog to stop pulling?
AZ Dog Sports Obedience Classes are the perfect place to start!
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