Is Your Dog Pulling On The Lead? Here’s What You Could Do

Is Your Dog Pulling On The Lead? Here’s What You Could Do

Is Your Dog Pulling On The Lead?
Here’s What You Could Do

Going out for walks can be the most exciting part of your dog’s day, but when he constantly pulls on the lead it can turn a fun walk into a tiring one very quickly. Firstly, we might wonder why dogs pull on the lead? They do so because it is normal canine behavior. Is it worthwhile? No, but it is a natural instinct for them. 

Your pooch might be curious and excited to examine different sights and smells in the surroundings. Pulling on the lead helps your dog get where they want to go at a faster pace. If you’ve recently adopted a puppy and want to get them leash trained, now is the right time! Puppies can begin learning leash skills as early as four to six weeks old. Training them at an early age will help them combat their natural instincts to walk on the leash the right way. Even if your dog is at an adult stage, it is never too late to start training. 

Teaching your dog to walk calmly will benefit you with enjoyable and stress-free walks, build a good relationship with your dog and keep you in full control to prevent accidents or unwanted responses. We’ve rounded up some of our top tips to stop your dog from pulling on the lead:

1. Choose gear that is comfortable and safe. Certain equipment causes pain or discomfort when dogs pull by putting tension in a sensitive area. Walk your dog using gear that is most comfortable for them. The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is a padded everyday dog harness that is easy to put on and comfortable for dogs to wear. It also features a reinforced front clip webbing at the dog's chest to redirect dogs that pull on leash. Rogz Utility Explore Harness ensures comfort for your dog while providing you with additional control. It also includes a Multi Lead attachment on the front chest pad to reduce erratic pulling.
   
   
   
   
2. Reward your dog. Start training your dog indoors first and reward them for sitting or standing by your side. This will teach your pup that being near you pays off. Rewarding them with training treats like Thrive Dog rewards or Flamingo Training Mix would work best.
   
   
3. Patience is key. When your dog gets a hang of how rewards work, slowly increase the time and distance between rewards. You can gradually add more distractions but always remember to move forward at your dog’s pace. If they are struggling, go back to a stage where they were successful and take things slower. You might have to use many treats at the beginning as your dog progresses with training, but you can eventually reduce and give them a treat or some praise every so often.
   
   
   
4. Teach your dog that walking next to you with a loose lead means they move forward and pulling means they don’t. If the lead starts to tighten, stop walking. Don’t pull the lead back, instead just stand and wait calmly till the lead is loose again.
   
   
   
5. Stay consistent. Continue your training each time you go out with your dog. Walks may take longer while your dog is learning but will be worth the effort in the end.