Walking the dog is an important part of every dog owner’s daily routine. However, the experience can often be stressful. Pups tend to pull on the lead, making the walk anything but pleasant.
Fortunately, several strategies can help stop your dog from pulling on the lead. Be patient and consistent, and you’ll get your pup walking beside you calmly without any unnecessary tugging.
Here are the strategies:
- Get Them Used to the Lead
- Use the Right Equipment
- Use Positive Reinforcement
- Start With a Single Walking Method
- Start From Neutral Areas
- Distract Your Dog
- Be Unpredictable
- Include Smell Stops
- Try the Stop and Wait Technique
- Be Patient and Keep Calm
- Tire the Dog Before Training
- Seek Professional Help
1. Get Them Used to the Lead
The first step is to get the dog used to wearing the lead. The pup should feel comfortable and relaxed. You can start by having the pet wear it around the home. Then, gradually increase the amount of time they spend with the lead.
You can offer rewards when they wear the lead calmly. Most importantly, don’t tug or pull on the lead yourself.
If you’re only just starting out, make sure the walks are short and sweet. The short distance will keep their attention and lower the chances of distraction. Once the pup feels comfortable with the lead, you can take them for a longer walk.
2. Use the Right Equipment
Getting the right walking equipment can make all the difference. Leads and collars in the proper size are more secure and comfortable. Also, you can use harnesses to reduce pulling on the lead. The harness works by distributing the pull more evenly around the dog’s body.
Below is an overview of equipment useful for training dogs not to pull on the lead.
Collars
When choosing a collar, it’s best to go for a flat, well-fitted model. You should be able to put up to four fingers between the dog’s neck and the collar. Plus, the collar should be snug so it doesn’t slip over the dog’s head.
However, collars aren’t the best idea for dogs that:
- Pull too hard
- Pull until they have noisy breathing or cough
- Tend to unbalance you when they pull
Some training collars that hurt the dog may seem like a good idea. However, not many pet owners like inflicting pain on their pups even for the sake of training. Also, some choke collars can hurt the pet due to too much pressure.
Leads
Go for shorter grips or handles (no more than 10 inches in length) that feel good in your hand. The lead should be wide so that friction doesn’t burn your hands in case the dog pulls hard. Still, it should also be narrow and light for the dog.
As far as the leash itself is concerned, go for leads from 15 to 50 inches in length. Retractable leads aren’t a good idea given that they can cause friction burns to both you and the pet.
Harnesses
Harnesses can do wonders for dogs. They make a great addition to leads, especially the well-fitted Y-style or H-style options. Here’s what to look for in a harness:
- It’s easy to put on and take off.
- It doesn’t cause chafing.
- The dog can’t escape from the harness. Use “Double-H” harnesses for dogs with deep chests like Greyhounds.
- The shoulder joints of the dog can move freely.
- You can clip the lead in at least two places: front and back.
You can try Fur King No-Pull Harness available at Pet Parlour. This harness comes with reflective straps, durable and breathable material, a reinforced handle, and other features to help you gain better control when walking your dog without hurting them. More details about the harness are available on this page.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement
Keeping your dog motivated to show good behaviour is a must in any training programme. Pulling on the lead is no exception.
Always reward good behaviour in your dog. Whenever they walk by your side, offer them praise and treats. Positive reinforcement encourages the dog to continue with that behaviour. You can also offer toys if this is what motivates your dog.
As the dog gets used to rewards, it encourages it to be fond of the training.
4. Stick With a Single Walking Method
An important part of teaching your dog not to pull on the lead is to focus on a single walking method. The more consistent you are with how you walk your dog, the less room they have to misbehave. Your dog will soon learn which behaviour is acceptable on walks.
Choose whether your dog will walk on your left, right, or be a few steps behind you. Stay consistent with whichever method you pick. If multiple family members walk the pup, they should all follow the same principle.
This way, the pet will learn what is expected of them, which further speeds up the training.
5. Start From Neutral Areas
Dogs get excited easily. A cat passing by, squirrels in trees, or a neighbour’s dog barking – potential triggers are everywhere. If you want your dog to focus on the training, you should find a spot free of such distractions.
Walk your dog during quiet times of the day when most people and pets are indoors. Visit parks during non-peak hours. Anything you can do to avoid crowds and other animals will greatly help increase your pet’s focus.
A dog with poor lead manners can get overly stimulated walking in crowded areas. As a result, the quality of the training diminishes. If nothing else works, you can start from a garden or a fenced park.
Also, it’s important to start at a slow pace. The pet should understand that you’re the master and that it should stay close to you. You can gradually increase the pace when you notice that the dog begins to understand.
6. Distract Your Dog
There’s always a chance that your dog will get distracted, even if you take them for a walk in a quiet area. Whenever their focus switches to other people, dogs, or objects, distract them with toys or treats. This approach should help keep them focused and lower the chances of pulling on the lead.
7. Be Unpredictable
Another tactic you can deploy when your dog starts to pull on the lead is to change direction suddenly. Say “this way” or “come here” and walk in the opposite direction. As the dog obeys, offer them a treat or praise otherwise.
8. Include Smell Stops
Dogs are naturally attracted to smells. Studies show that for every scent receptor a person possesses, a dog has 50 or more. Smell is the primary sense for dogs and it helps them to learn about their environment and find food or partners.
Allowing your dog to smell and sniff around during the walk is necessary to keep their mental health in order. Plus, incorporating a few stops can serve as a reward for behaving well during the training.
9. Try the Stop and Wait Technique
If your dog pulls on the lead, stop immediately, and wait. The dog will take this as a lesson that they won’t go anywhere if they pull the lead.
10. Be Patient and Keep Calm
No matter how frustrated you get by your dog pulling the lead, try not to show your anger. If the dog senses you’re angry, it may pull even harder.
With enough patience, consistency, and training, you and the dog will enjoy your daily walks more. Keep this in mind the next time you’re having trouble containing your emotions.
11. Tire the Dog Before Training
Dogs often pull on the lead because of too much energy. You can tire the dog out by playing tug of war or similar games at home or in the yard before taking them out for a walk. This way, they’ll be more focused on the training and use less force to pull.
In addition, make sure the dog has had enough opportunities to sniff and explore the environment before the walk. You can give them 10 minutes to walk around in a closed or fenced area before moving on.
12. Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried all the techniques outlined in this article, and nothing seemed to work, it may be wise to seek the help of an expert. Certified dog trainers can create tailored training programs to address your dog’s specific needs or issues.
Effective Lead-Pulling Training Methods
Lead pulling can be a major nuisance for dog owners. Luckily, with enough patience and the right approach, it’s only a matter of time before you turn the situation in your favour. You can start by keeping the lead short and by walking in straight lines.
With enough treats in your pocket, you can reward good behaviour in your pup and achieve steady but great results. Always remember that patience and consistency are key to seeing changes in your dog’s behaviour.