Taking your dog out for a walk should be fun for you and your pet, here are a few tips that could help.
However, if your dog continues to pull at the leash, a simple walk becomes a recipe for an entangled tug of war.
Untraining your dog from pulling is not only done for a relaxed walk; it is done to improve the dog’s behaviors, for safety, and bonding purposes.
Here’s an interesting and proactive way to teach your dog how not to pull you along every time the two of you are on your walk.
Why Do Dogs Pull on the Leash?
But before we proceed to the solution to this problem, let us first understand why dogs pull.
Dogs are innately exploratory animals that get easily provoked to various levels of activity or playfulness.
They are much quicker than we are, and sometimes, they forget that pulling makes the walk uncomfortable.
Moreover, they might pull on the leash because this is how they learned it, which means that they never went through professional training.
How to Stop Your Dog from Pulling on Leash.
1. Choose the Right Equipment
Start with the right gear. Thanks to this design, a front-clip harness offers a gentle way of preventing your dog from pulling.
Do not use such collars as choke chains or prong collars because they may result in some pain to your pet.
It is recommended to use an average of a 4-6 feet length leash as leashes with a retractable length can prompt your dog to pull you.
2. Use Positive Reinforcement
Dogs love rewards. Lastly, make sure to bring something to snack on or perhaps a toy that is well-loved in the car to entice good behavior and always have positive things to say.
The concept here is to encourage your dog to walk properly alongside you. Each time you find your pet walking on a round leash, give them a reward or at least encouraging words.
This makes people have a positive correlation of close contact with you.
3. The Stop-and-Go Method
Any time that you feel your dog is pulling, you need to pause. They should be standing still and waiting until the dog releases pressure on the leash by turning to the owner.
When they do reward them and begin walking all over again. This gives the child the idea that when he pulls, it stops the fun but if the leash is loose, the fun continues.
4. Change Directions
If your dog is pulling forward suddenly turn in the opposite direction. This compels your dog to follow you as they learn that they have to listen to where you are directing them.
There is no better way of encouraging them than to provide incentives each time you get the chance to lead them.
5. Be Patient and be Consistent
Training takes time. Consistency is key. Practice in short, intense sessions, and do not prolong daily walks, when the dog becomes annoyed.
Praise efforts, success, and progress with the time taken slowly for the walks.
Turning Walks into a Team Effort
Walking should not be an effort, but rather a teamwork. As you train your dog to understand what behavior is acceptable you will see that he or she will enjoy fulfilling the correct behavior.
Taking your dog for a stroll will make him happier; the relationship between the two of you will also improve.
Training a dog not to pull on a leash not only gets a better-mannered dog but also improves the master/ dog relationship by building up more trust between the owner and the pet.
Do it right, they’ll be eager to please you. A relaxed, enjoyable walk will make your dog happier and improve your relationship.
Teaching your dog to stop pulling on the leash doesn’t just result in better behavior it creates a stronger, more trusting bond between you and your canine companion.
