If your dog pulls on the leash and you’ve tried everything to calm them down then I hear you. As do the thousands of other dog owners facing the exact same issue.
Dogs might pull for different reasons, but it still doesn’t take away the fact that it’s frustrating…
…Not to mention embarrassing.
Even if your dog’s leash pulling habit is nothing more than a slight tug, no one wants to be on the other end of a persistent puller.
And if those tugs aren’t so gentle… well, no one wants to be that person either.
Now for the good news. If your dog’s leash pulling is exactly that (in other words, it’s more of a general nuisance than anything else), it can be managed effectively before it escalates into anything more serious.
The trick, as with most things leash-related is…
a) establishing why your dog is pulling,
b) controlling the situation
c) staying consistent
Now, if you’re ready to stop your dog from dragging you down the street, the first logical step is teaching them how to be calm and in control of their emotions.
Because if you can ultimately teach your dog to relax, you’ll also find they’ll be a lot less likely to pull whenever you’re out for a walk.
So before you do anything else, I’d highly recommend checking out The Online Dog Trainer Program from Dan Abdelnoor. (see video below)
Inside the program, Dan reveals how to set the foundation for eliminating your dog’s leash pulling habit by using a few simple exercises that take just minutes a day to apply.
Watch the video, apply the exercises Dan recommends to your dog routine consistently, and you should see a marked improvement in their behavior in no time.
Here’s the link to take a look: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Get Your Dog To Stop Pulling The Leash In Just Minutes A Day… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!
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My Dog Pulls on the Leash – Why?
When you have a dog that wants to move up and down whenever you are walking with them, you might want to calm them down.
However, calming a dog down isn’t an easy task unless you know what causes them to pull on the leash.
Fortunately, you shouldn’t worry because your despair is shared by many people who want to walk with their dogs, but it ends up terrible.
Below are the primary reasons why your dog is always pulling on the leash when out walking:
1. They Want to Get Somewhere
Even when nothing is fascinating around, your dog will want to pull the leash if they want to go somewhere.
It could be that your dog can smell something pleasant a few meters ahead, and they feel that the leash is a hindrance.
If you are walking peacefully with your dog down the road and they suddenly start pulling the leash. It could simply mean they are trying to somewhere that’s more appealing.
Sometimes it can be tough to control a dog that is pulling the leash to get somewhere, especially if they are strong.
2. It Works for Them
Another reason your dog is always pulling on the leash when walking is that it gets them where they want to go.
As mentioned earlier, dogs are essentially hedonistic animals. They love exploring and doing what makes them feel good.
So if they feel that running, they’ll be unlikely to stop even if you’re with them.
Luckily, it is possible to train your dog to respond calmly and express their excitement constructively.
3. They Want to Go Faster
Have you ever tried winning a race with your dog? If yes, you probably did not win, right?
Generally, dogs are faster than humans. When walking with your dog down the road, they might feel that you are walking too slowly and want to go faster.
So, it’s normal when a dog wants to walk faster than you can walk. But this does not mean your dog should pull on the leash.
However, it will help if you train your dog to walk at the same pace as you do.
4. When the Environment is Reinforcing
Since your dog loves exploring, they gravitate toward interesting things and areas.
If your dog realizes that the surrounding is more interesting than you are, they will want to see the sights.
In this case, the reinforcing environment can be the presence of another dog or kids playing around.
If your dog is very playful, they will pull the leash if they see kids playing somewhere and try to reach them.
Specialists advise dog owners to find ways to fascinate their dogs and capture their attention.
Some practices that can interest your dog include; giving them amazing treats, toys, environment rewards like chasing, rolling in the grass, and an opportunity to sniff.
5. Lack Of Proper Leash Training
Lack of training is also another contributing factor that makes your dog pull on the leash.
Dog owners who don’t leash train are likely to experience problems when walking their dogs.
You should keep in mind that it is not normal for dogs to walk out while leashed. But it can become normal when they learn it through proper training.
Hence, if you want your dog to learn this behavior, you must train them.
You can find a good trainer or watch the video below for a basic introduction on how to properly leash train your dog…
6. They Want to Lead
Some dogs are naturally dominant, and they always want to lead. Regardless of how you train them to walk while leashed, they won’t stop pulling.
If this is the case with your dog, you should train them first to obey your commands and make them recognize you as the pack leader before leash training.
7. They Don’t Like The Leash
Did you know that certain collars can actually make your dog pull on the leash?
Well, most dogs dislike pull harnesses and head halters. It would help if you appropriately desensitized your dog to wearing such equipment through training.
When you leash your dog with a head halter without training and walk out, your dog might develop the pulling behavior.
This is why you should first train your dog first to wear the leash before heading out the door.
But here’s the thing…
Getting your dog to wear even the most comfortable leash will never happen if you can’t teach your dog to be in control of their emotions.
But if you can ultimately keep your dog in a calm, relaxed, (but more importantly) non-emotional state. Not only will they wear the leash, but they’ll also become highly responsive to the person holding it (this means you).
Remember The Onlne Dog Trainer Program I was talking about earlier?
This is where the training really comes in handy when it comes to dialing down your dog’s emotional state. So if you haven’t done so already, take a few minutes to watch the video and really get to grips with how the program can help.
My Dog Pulls On The Leash – How Do I Stop It?
Below are a few methods you can use to stop your dog from pulling the leash. But you must understand that dogs are different, and not all methods will work for all dogs.
If one fails, you can simply try another until you find one or two works for you.
1. Choose and Maintain One Walking Method
So the easiest way to stop your dog from pulling the leash is to choose one walking method and simply stick with it.
This method is aimed at teaching your dog acceptable behavior while out on regular walks.
This will include things like the position you want your dog to maintain while walking with you.
This can be either on your right or left-hand side, a few steps in front, or behind you.
For example, if you decide that your dog will be walking on the right-hand side just a few steps behind you, then stick with this plan always.
This will ultimately teach your dog what you expect while walking and make training easy.
2. Train Your Dog in the Right Environment
The environment that you train your dog in will determine the success of the training. This is because dogs are easily distracted, spooked, or excited.
As you train your dog to remain calm during walks, you can start in areas with minimal distractions or during quieter times of the day.
Quitter times of the day include off-peak hours and evenings when most people are indoors.
Avoid crowded areas because they have they can often be distracting and can often make leash training ineffective.
3. Use A Chest Led Harness
When it comes to dogs that strongly pull on the leash, a chest led harness is can often be a simple fix.
Basically, it’s a harness that’s secured around the dog’s torso, and it has straps that go in front of the chest and around the ribcage.
It can take you a few days to learn how to use it. But it is the most effective harness when it comes to controlling the direction you want your dog to move.
I can almost guarantee you’ll notice an immediate impact on the control you have over your dog. And once your dog gets used to the position you want to move. They’ll become easier to control with other types of leashes and harnesses.
4. Use Treats to Encourage Your Dog to Follow You
Whatever method you decide to use to stop leash pulling, motivation is an important factor.
Now, to motivate your dog to walk calmly, you need to find a way to show them that good things happen when they stay calm.
The simplest way to do this is treat training. Basically, giving your dog a treat when they do something right will encourage them to do it again.
As you start training your dog to walk with you on a leash, you can continue giving them treats or toys to keep them motivated to follow you.
This will make your dog learn that when they walk calmly, eventually, you’ll reward them.
The good thing about this is that in time, your dog will remain calm even when you don’t give them treats.
5. Play Games with Your Dog
There are some games you can play with your dog to help them focus on you as you walk out.
An example of this is the follow-me game. It is slow, but with patience and consistency, it works.
So while you walk with your dog, occasionally stop and take a few steps backward. This will give your dog the opportunity to stop and follow you.
Repeat this several times until your dog starts following you actively.
Wrapping Things Up
Although it’s not the most dangerous issue in the world, leash training a dog that pulls is something that can quickly spiral out of control if left unchecked.
And while it’s a fairly common trait for many dogs, it’s also very possible to eliminate given enough time, patience and training.
Remember that a calm non-emotional dog is what you’re striving for here so remember to take a look at the training over at The Online Dog Trainer if you want to simplify the process.
Watch the videos, implement the training, and you’ll be well on your way to having a dog that walks calmly on the leash before you know it.
