Sometimes, nothing is better than a relaxing walk with your dog on a beautiful day. Teaching your dog how not to pull on the leash can help make your walks more enjoyable.
Pulling on the leash is rewarding for your dog. The excitement of all the new sights, sounds, and smells can cause your dog to pull, and it is rewarding when they do so, especially when they get to where they want to go.
Here are some Fear-free tips to help stop pulling behavior and, hopefully, make your time with your pet even more enjoyable:
• Keep tasty treats or high-value toys/rewards on your walk to reinforce good leash behaviors.
• Stop walking when your dog reaches the end of the leash. Do not continue to walk and reinforce the pulling behavior. Instead, wait until your dog turns back t o you. Reward and praise them for putting their attention on you.
• Turn around and walk in the other direction. Sometimes, not moving might not be enough to get your dog’s attention, so turning around and walking in the other direction can help gain their attention. Reward them when they catch up to you. Do not pull harshly on the leash.
• Try a “no pull” harness. Although it doesn’t prevent pulling altogether, it can slow it down and give the pet time to focus on training. Make sure that the harness doesn’t put pressure on the pet’s joints or the base of the neck, which could potentially cause harm.
• Stay connected. Paying attention and connecting with your pet can also be rewarding for them. It can help keep their focus on you, which can lead to a successful training session.
• Consistency is key. Consistent is the most important thing when training a pet, so ensure you are consistent when diverting, pulling, and rewarding loose-leash walking.
Hopefully, these tips will help correct your canine friend’s pulling behaviors and create a more pleasant walking experience for both of you. If you want to seek a professional trainer’s help, please visit the Fear Free website to find a certified trainer near you.