Stop Your Dog Pulling On The Leash

One of the most common complaints owners make regarding their dogs is pulling on the leash. It is conduct that can really spoil your enjoyment of going out with your pup - that ought to be one of the best factors about having a dog! So how do you prevent the pulling?

Start with the Basics

To begin with go back to basics and begin the training in the home and garden, just as if your dog was a puppy once more. This means there will be no disturbances and you can both focus more clearly. You can also do plenty of quick training sessions which will reinforce the proper conduct more rapidly.

Use a fixed length leash not an extending one so that you have greater control. Do not use a choke chain as this could end up nearly throttling your pup, and they do little to instruct the pooch to walk in balance by your side. Once you have stopped him pulling in the home you can then progress to short 'boring' walks - to the shops or just around the block - to ensure that he doesn't get overly wound-up. Make sure you never 'wind' your dog up before the walk, he should never be permitted to jump up or bark before the walk.

No 'Water-Skiing'!

Whilst you are training your pup not to pull on the leash, it is essential that YOU do not pull. The more you pull him the more he will pull back. It may seem like the correct thing to do but it will simply make things worse, therefore do not get into that 'water-skiing' attitude behind him!

Instead you ought to try to walk in an upright but relaxed position, which indicates to your pooch that you are in control. Carry the leash hanging limp between you. If you want to signal to your pup when you request him to slow down, then just jerk once as you make the command and subsequently slacken the leash. You should not keep the leash tight.

Keep halting your dog, by order not by pulling the leash. Reward him as soon as he stops and make him sit. Then begin the walk again. Carry out all this by order not by pulling. Give a lot of treats and praise him whenever he obeys the order.

If you have used a clicker for other training then use it to prevent him pulling. But remember as with all dog clicker training you have got to click at the precise moment when your dog acts the way that you require - it will have no effect otherwise - and you will need to reward the right behaviour too until he makes the association with the right behaviour and the click.

Keep your Pup on his Toes!

Your pup may well additionally profit by being more in control of his walking and balance. You can assist this by building an 'obstacle course' in your home or garden. Arrange cardboard, doormats, cushions on the floor to make an uneven surface and then items that your dog has to move over such as plastic bottles, a ladder that he has to step through the rungs, low poles. You can make use of any items you like, as long as it makes your pooch focus on his balance and walking method. All the while you ought to continue to make him walk with you and not pull. This unusual walking experience will assist your pup to focus on your commands.

A further good tip is to try and do the unforeseen when you are outside walking with your pooch. Abrupt changes of direction or abrupt stops will keep your pooch on his toes and make him more attentive to you. Try ziz-zagging the length of the pavement or abruptly returning the way in which you came, running then stopping will all make your pooch focus on you rather than the destination.

In particular make certain that you remain calm and patient during this training. There's no rush and the more time you take and more thorough the training the better your dog will understand and follow your instructions. Dogs always know when you are annoyed!