The idea of taking your dog on a nice walk through the neighborhood seems like a great idea until they are constantly tugging and pulling at their leash. There is nothing relaxing about having to tightly grip the leash when your dog finds the urge to run towards something exciting. You begin to question who’s walking who, why, and how to make it stop. Although it can be annoying, it is natural canine behavior and they know that this method works. The pulling behavior keeps getting rewarded as it gets them where they want to go.
Before you begin your training, you must understand that not every method will work for you, or your dog. It is important to note that your dog must be motivated by the training for it to actually work, and continue moving forward. Although this may be a hard habit to break, don’t give up, it is possible! All it takes is some consistency and practice to get your dog back on the right track (no pun intended) for you to finally enjoy your walks.
Here are 4 ways to get your dog to stop pulling on the leash:
Pick One Walking Method and Stick To It
The first step is finding a method that works for both you and your dog and remaining consistent with that method. You must make sure that this method motivates your dog for it to actually work. A key component early on is teaching your dog what is considered acceptable behavior while on walks. This may take some trial and error, but eventually, it will stick.
For example, do you want your dog to walk on the right or left side of you? It is important to consider these small details beforehand, not confuse your dog, and be persistent despite their rejection. If someone else is walking your dog for the day, make sure they are aware of which walking method you and your dog are using. Remaining to one method will allow your dog to know exactly what is expected of them, and make the overall training a lot smoother and more effective.
Begin Walks in Non-Exciting Areas
In the process of training your dog how to properly behave on walks, it’s important to set them up for success. You can do this by using non-exciting walking areas to start. Try to pick a quiet and relaxed time of the day to practice walking, such as when there are few to no people outdoors. This will ensure that your dog won’t get tempted to tug at the leash or be distracted by its surroundings. If you choose a crowded area before properly leash training your dog, it is likely that your dog will become easily distracted and it could possibly eliminate any training that has taken place.
Try Using a Training Collar
A commonly used method to help dogs from tugging at their leash is front clip harnesses. They are easy to use and help to “reset” your dog’s leash manners. Front clip collars work especially well with dogs that are already accustomed to pulling and tugging on the leash. Your dog will begin to associate the front clip harness with loose leash walking. Anytime you expose your dog to a new leash they will notice the adjustment, so it is important to utilize this time by teaching your dog proper walking expectations and manners early on. This effort will make your walks much more enjoyable for both you and your dog!
Reward Your Dog For Good Behavior
Whatever method you decide to use with your dog, it is important to keep your dog motivated throughout the process. An effective method in doing so is by giving them a reward for good walking behavior such as, a favorite treat or a new toy (whichever works best). As you continue to acknowledge the good behavior with rewards, your dog will become accustomed to walking expectations and do so on its own.
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