How to train a dog to stop pulling on the leash is probably the most common dilemma that faces pet parents. It all seems innocent enough while the dog is young but, as he gets older, larger and stronger, the question of how to train a dog to stop pulling becomes increasingly more pressing. In search of answers, pet parents turn to books, neighbors, their veterinarians or anyone else they think may be able to help them solve what has now become an almost intolerable situation. However, it seems everywhere they turn, they get conflicting answers.
Some people resort to taking their dogs for walks at odd hours in order to avoid the embarrassment of their dog's behavior. Others shorten their dog's walk to the bare minimum. It's better to be dragged 50 yards than a mile and a half. For many, the result of an unruly dog is an ever-increasing sense of frustration and disappointment. At the very least, dog pulling problems limit your dog's freedom, happiness and ability to socialize with others in a productive way.
How does it work?
If your dog pulling on the leash ceases to be fun to him, he will stop pulling. It's really as simple as that. If your dog gets a bump on the head when he runs into a wall, he'll learn that running into the wall doesn't feel good and learn to avoid it. The question is, how to make pulling uncomfortable to your dog without being abusive or losing his trust in the process. The answer is, with a balanced combination of consequences and rewards.
Think about teaching your dog to heel as if you were teaching him to respect a perimeter. After all, it is a perimeter you're teaching him isn't it? What you're really demonstrating to him is that after he hears you say the word heel, he can't go too far ahead, too far to the side or too far behind you right? If your dog learns that by breaching the perimeter you have set for him, he will be less comfortable than if he respects it, he will choose to stay within the perimeter. In theory, it's really very simple. However, as with most theories in life, the difficulty is in the application.
How To Train A Dog To Stop Pulling
The best way to start the process of teaching a dog to stop pulling on the leash is first, to get his attention. Essentially, this is a loose heeling exercise. The objective is to get your dog to start paying attention to where you are and which direction you're walking. If every time your dog surges out ahead of you, you turn and walk in the other direction, he will learn to look at you.
The main focus point for this exercise is to turn and walk in the other direction before the leash gets tight. If your dog hits the end of the leash before you make your turn, you won't correct him, you'll simply pull him around the turn.
It's important your dog gets a mild jolt when he hits the end of the leash in order to motivate him to make different choices. It is also very important to note that at no time should you get emotionally invested in the consequences your dog receives. In other words, you should never correct your dog out of anger. Never yell or move in a frustrated or angry manner. The corrections your dog receives during this process should be presented to your dog as if you just have a nervous twitch in your arms every time he makes a mistake. Act as surprised as the dog when he gets corrected and immediately encourage him back toward your left leg where he'll receive praise and be comfortable.
Start off by taking your dog outside on a leash and a collar. Start walking in any given direction. When your dog gets out in front of you, turn and walk in the opposite direction. Remember, it is critical that you make your turn before the leash gets tight. You need slack in the leash in order to achieve a proper correction. Without the jolt, the correction will hold no deterrent value and your dog will have no reason to pay attention. Every time you change your direction and your dog surges out in front of you, make the turn and walk in the other direction.
Keep in mind, if your dog is out in front of you, he can't see where you are going. If every time he gets distracted and surges ahead, you turn and walk the other way, he will quickly learn to pay attention to where you're going. This process can be as short as a few minutes or as long as an hour depending on your dog and how properly you're making your turns. What you're really doing here is showing your dog that walking without pulling is a more important choice than he previously thought. All your dog really needs to understand is that it makes him happier to pay attention and walk without pulling on the leash.
If done properly, your dog can learn to walk calmly by your side without any tension on the leash in less than an hour. The key to success is to your leash handling and your ability to teach your dog a new behavior without becoming frustrated.
Some people resort to taking their dogs for walks at odd hours in order to avoid the embarrassment of their dog's behavior. Others shorten their dog's walk to the bare minimum. It's better to be dragged 50 yards than a mile and a half. For many, the result of an unruly dog is an ever-increasing sense of frustration and disappointment. At the very least, dog pulling problems limit your dog's freedom, happiness and ability to socialize with others in a productive way.
How does it work?
If your dog pulling on the leash ceases to be fun to him, he will stop pulling. It's really as simple as that. If your dog gets a bump on the head when he runs into a wall, he'll learn that running into the wall doesn't feel good and learn to avoid it. The question is, how to make pulling uncomfortable to your dog without being abusive or losing his trust in the process. The answer is, with a balanced combination of consequences and rewards.
Think about teaching your dog to heel as if you were teaching him to respect a perimeter. After all, it is a perimeter you're teaching him isn't it? What you're really demonstrating to him is that after he hears you say the word heel, he can't go too far ahead, too far to the side or too far behind you right? If your dog learns that by breaching the perimeter you have set for him, he will be less comfortable than if he respects it, he will choose to stay within the perimeter. In theory, it's really very simple. However, as with most theories in life, the difficulty is in the application.
How To Train A Dog To Stop Pulling
The best way to start the process of teaching a dog to stop pulling on the leash is first, to get his attention. Essentially, this is a loose heeling exercise. The objective is to get your dog to start paying attention to where you are and which direction you're walking. If every time your dog surges out ahead of you, you turn and walk in the other direction, he will learn to look at you.
The main focus point for this exercise is to turn and walk in the other direction before the leash gets tight. If your dog hits the end of the leash before you make your turn, you won't correct him, you'll simply pull him around the turn.
It's important your dog gets a mild jolt when he hits the end of the leash in order to motivate him to make different choices. It is also very important to note that at no time should you get emotionally invested in the consequences your dog receives. In other words, you should never correct your dog out of anger. Never yell or move in a frustrated or angry manner. The corrections your dog receives during this process should be presented to your dog as if you just have a nervous twitch in your arms every time he makes a mistake. Act as surprised as the dog when he gets corrected and immediately encourage him back toward your left leg where he'll receive praise and be comfortable.
Start off by taking your dog outside on a leash and a collar. Start walking in any given direction. When your dog gets out in front of you, turn and walk in the opposite direction. Remember, it is critical that you make your turn before the leash gets tight. You need slack in the leash in order to achieve a proper correction. Without the jolt, the correction will hold no deterrent value and your dog will have no reason to pay attention. Every time you change your direction and your dog surges out in front of you, make the turn and walk in the other direction.
Keep in mind, if your dog is out in front of you, he can't see where you are going. If every time he gets distracted and surges ahead, you turn and walk the other way, he will quickly learn to pay attention to where you're going. This process can be as short as a few minutes or as long as an hour depending on your dog and how properly you're making your turns. What you're really doing here is showing your dog that walking without pulling is a more important choice than he previously thought. All your dog really needs to understand is that it makes him happier to pay attention and walk without pulling on the leash.
If done properly, your dog can learn to walk calmly by your side without any tension on the leash in less than an hour. The key to success is to your leash handling and your ability to teach your dog a new behavior without becoming frustrated.
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