How To Stop Your Dog From Pulling On The Leash

How does your dog feel about times to take a walk? Well, I’ll tell you about mine. They get overwhelmed with excitement. At first, it felt like the dogs were dragging me around. Dog owners around the park all used to look at me in awe.  It got me thinking; something needed to be done.

Your dog pulling the leash is always a great concern. People at the park admire calm dogs walking comfortably by the owner’s side. A well-trained dog will not react to other dogs approaching or adrenaline-pumped kids running by.

And that is the dream scenario for most pet owners. Whether you brought home a new puppy or need to teach your old dog better leash manners, keep reading this article to find out in detail how to stop your dog from pulling on the leash.

Why is your dog pulling on the leash?

Before you bother figuring out how to stop your dog from pulling on the leash, it is important to know why they are doing it in the first place. Different dog breeds come with different behaviors and mannerisms.

If you have one of them huge breeds like the German shepherds or pit bulls, you surely won’t want them out of control while out walking.

Some common reasons why your dog is pulling on the leash may include:

• The difference in speed. Dogs may be smaller in size compared to average humans, but they are relatively faster. 
• Another reason may be anxiety. This is common when your dog stays indoors or isolated a lot.
• In addition, if your dog’s harness is too tight or uncomfortable, your dog will pull due to an opposition reflex.
• Some may also relate pulling on the leash to a lack of training. That is why we have always recommended a dog training boot camp.

So, the main question remains to be, how do you stop your dog from pulling on the leash?

Training your dog to stop pulling on the leash is a process that requires patience. The amount of time it takes to train your dog can vary from one dog to the other.  However, if you spend 5-10 minutes daily training your dog, you will get results. These tips can help you.

1. Select a walking style and stick to it

The first step is determining how you love to walk with your dog. do you prefer your dog some steps behind, on your left or right side? Based on your liking, you need to pick one walking style and stay consistent. This makes the training process smoother and your dog can develop an acceptable walking behavior.

2. Reward your dog with treats

Whichever walking method you choose, it is good to use positive reinforcement keep your dog motivated with some treats. Let him know that taking walks near you comes with some benefits. Rewarding your dog for good behavior encourages them to keep doing that.

3. Stop when your dog pulls

Whenever you are taking a walk and feel tension on the leash, stop walking. Begin walking when your dog stops pulling on the leash. This helps your dog to know that pulling the leash will lead them to nowhere.

4. Choose a quiet time for practice

If you want to train your dog to walk nicely on the leash, it is worth considering the time you choose for training. You want a quiet time so that your dog can concentrate. For instance, you can choose to have an evening walk when many people are indoors or visit the park when it is not crowded. If you take your dog for a walk to the park when it is crowded, they will be over-excited and hardly pay attention. Too many distractions will prevent your dog from learning. Ensure you choose a calm place, and this will make your training successful.

5. Use a chest-led harness

A chest-led harness is a good walk training aid you can use. it removes the pressure from the dog’s neck and distributes it evenly on other body parts. When you attach a leash on the ring on the chest strap, the harness turns the dog’s body around when he pulls as compared to moving forward.

6. Be consistent

If you want successful training, consistency is the key. Maintain consistency each time you take your dog for a walk. I know this can be time-consuming, but it is worth it in the long run. Take longer walks and stick to them while your best friend is learning, and eventually, you will have a dog that no longer pulls on the leash.

Summary

Many pet parents think that a dog pulling on a leash is a sign of dominance. However, your dog is just excited about the walk, and they want to keep moving forward. By following the above tips, you can easily train your dog to pull on the leash. If you try these tips with no positive outcome, you can consider help from a professional trainer.