Teaching your dog to walk calmly on a leash is essential for enjoyable and stress-free walks. Here’s a guide to help you curb your dog’s tendency to pull on the lead.
Understanding Why Dogs Pull on the Lead
When you head out for a walk, both you and your dog should be able to enjoy a relaxed stroll with a loose leash. However, pulling on the lead is a common and frustrating issue. Before diving into techniques to address this behaviour, it’s important to understand why your dog might be pulling in the first place.
Your dog isn’t necessarily being disobedient when they pull on the lead. In fact, there are a few reasons behind this behaviour. Dogs generally move faster than humans, and while we tend to walk at a leisurely pace, dogs naturally have a quicker gait. Your dog may be pulling because they want you to keep up with their pace. Additionally, dogs are curious by nature and love to explore their surroundings, often wanting to investigate every new sight and smell. Teaching your dog to walk at your pace requires time, patience, and consistency.
Tips to Stop Your Dog from Pulling on the Lead
1. Assess Energy Levels Before you begin your walk, take note of your dog’s energy levels. If your dog is overly excited or full of energy, they are more likely to pull on the lead. To set the stage for a calm walk, try playing some games like fetch or tug-of-war to burn off excess energy. This can help your dog start the walk in a more relaxed state of mind. See below our top picks for fetch and play! or shop our whole range here.
Starmark Swing n' Fling Chew Ball
NERF DOG Blaster Target Game Set
2. Choose the Right Gear One of the most important things to remember when your dog pulls on the lead is not to yank the leash in response. This can be startling and harmful to your dog, especially if it puts pressure on their neck. Instead, opt for a harness that fits around your dog’s chest rather than a collar. A harness with a front-clip attachment will redirect your dog’s movement if they pull, gradually teaching them that pulling won’t get them where they want to go. Shop our range of leads and harnesses here.
3. Slow Down and Reward Encourage your dog to slow down by offering rewards. Every time your dog walks at a reasonable pace or ignores an enticing scent, praise them and give them a treat. Frequent rewards can help slow down the pace of your walk and keep your dog focused on you. It’s essential to choose treats that are both nutritious and tasty enough to grab your dog’s attention. We offer a fantastic selection of treats that you can explore here.
4. Use the Stop-and-Go Method If your dog begins to pull, come to a complete stop and wait until the leash is slack before continuing. If the pulling resumes, stop again. You can use treats to lure your dog back to your side if necessary. This method teaches your dog that pulling means the walk won’t continue. Consistency is key—make sure to send the same message each time your dog pulls.
5. Keep Training Sessions Short For puppies, shorter training sessions are often more effective. Aim for 10-minute sessions to keep both you and your dog focused. Always keep the training positive, and don’t forget to reward good behaviour. Puppy training classes, can be a great way to learn lead training techniques and basic commands in a supportive environment.
Walking with your dog is a significant part of your daily routine, so it’s crucial to master these steps early on. By teaching your dog to walk on a loose lead, you’ll ensure enjoyable walks for both of you and strengthen your bond.