|
How To Stop A Dog From
Pulling On His Leash |
|
How To Stop A Dog From Pulling On His Leash
This is the technique to teach a dog, from puppy hood, or from an advanced age, how not to pull you on their leash, when you are walking him. Enjoy walking your dog with a loose leash.
- Remember that you are the boss of yourself. In order for your dog to respond correctly to your commands, you must be a strong pack leader. Walking is one of the best exercises to establish you as a leader.
- Start with a standard buckle collar and a strong lead. Retractable leads are not recommended. Use a WIDE collar, preferably with padding on it so as not to injure your pooch.
- Always have your dog sit and stay while you attach the collar and lead. Do not let your dog jump around or get too excited. You must always remain in command.
- Walk out the door first. Have your dog sit and stay inside until you have walked outside, then allow your pooch to follow.
- Your dog should always be walked on your left side. If he tries to change sides, stop walking, direct him to your left side, praise him, then continue walking.
- In order to stay in control, you should not let your dog walk far in front of you (even if the lead still has slack). Otherwise the dog is leading the walk, instead of YOU leading the walk. If you aren't leading, you aren't in control. Your dog's shoulder should not pass too far in front of your own legs.
- Once you feel your dog has walked too far in front of you, stop walking. Give him a LIGHT tug (this is not to pull him back, but to get his attention) and pull him back until he is positioned into an acceptable space in front of you. You should have a training noise established for your dog. A quick "tch" works, or a clicking of the tongue. This noise is a substitute for the word "no" which can become white noise to a dog during walks. Use this noise in conjunction with the LIGHT tug.
- You may have to stop many, many many times on your walks.
- Continue walking your dog. As the dog stays within an acceptable distance, give him lots of praise in a happy voice. Carrying treats is always a good idea too. When the dog walks to forward, repeat the stop, tug, pull and noise.
- Remember that patience, persistence and determination are key here. Many dogs take weeks or months to become perfect walkers. Your dog will not be a polite walker in simply a day. Always continue training and practicing.
- Remember that losing patience, or becoming upset puts the dog back in control. With you as the leader, you and your dog should get along just fine.
- If your dog continually charges forward despite your practice, remember the "touch" rule. Dogs will respond to touch. Touch him on his leg, haunch or back to get his attention, if he ignores your training noises or commands. Putting your hand down in front of the dogs face when he begins to charge forward may also deter him.
Tips
- Lots of praise is necessary. Body harnesses and Halti or Gentle Leader training collars may be helpful.
- Do not use choke collars or pinch collars without being properly instructed by a dog trainer, behaviorist or vet about how to use these training tools properly.
- If using training collars, do not leave them on your pet unsupervised. It's easy for a dog to become entangled and even strangled with a loose collar on.
Warnings
- If the dog is older or stubborn and the above isn't working....make him sit and stay on the sidewalk for an uncomfortably long time. Try him again. If, after two long sit/stays, he isn't getting the picture, put him back in the house and you walk by yourself happily for five minutes outside. Then try again with the dog. Be more stubborn than he is.
- Don't over train. Keep early training sessions to 30 minutes or less. End on a happy success moment. Don't end it when he is screwing up.
- Don't "punish" your dog with yelling, hitting or excessive tugging or pulling.
Click on the link below to contact us.
Contact Us
Thank you.
Forum Administrator
Steve
|
A Staffy-bull-terrier Frequently Asked Questions |
|
|
How To Stop A Dog From Pulling On His Leash
Status : 
