You’re walking down your favorite trail. It’s just you and your beloved pup. After clocking in some serious steps, it’s time for a break. As you stand there, sipping on water, your dog does it. He yanks on that leash. You, your water, and everything attached to you go flying.
Why does he do it and how can you get him to stop? Do you really have to use all your strength and willpower to restrain your dog from pulling on his leash each and every walk?
If this sounds like you and your dog, we’ve got good news. There are some tried and true tips that can actually stop dog from pulling on their leash. Or at least, get it under control. Hey, we all have to start somewhere! Keep reading to learn how.
Why Do Dogs Pull On Their Leash?
Before you can implement tactics to help stop your dog from pulling on their leash, you’ll want to understand why our furry friends do it in the first place.
When you take your dog for a walk at the park, they’re likely enthralled by the adventure and the many sights, sounds, and smells surrounding them. Dogs use their sense of smell to perceive the world. So naturally, there’s a lot of information to take in. Once their natural instincts kick in, it can be hard to reel them back in. Dogs pull on the leash because it helps them get to where they want to go – without all the slowdown that comes from their human.
If your dog has always pulled on the leash, you may find it a challenging habit to break. But don’t give up! With patience and persistence, you may be able to stop your dog from pulling sooner than you think. Just remember that there are many ways to break a habit. No one tactic or tip works for everyone. So you may have to play around with different methods to get the results you’re looking for.
Follow along as we discuss different methods you can incorporate to stop dog pulling on the leash.
Meet Your Dog’s Needs First
If your dog is always on a leash when walking or getting their daily dose of exercise, they may be more likely to pull. If you want to see results quicker, make sure they get activity that allows for freedom beforehand. What do we mean by that?
In a fenced, safe area, let your dog get in some vigorous activity. Maybe play fetch or allow them to run around and explore the backyard. You want them to exert energy without feeling restrained. When these needs have been met prior to their walk, your dog is more likely to keep up with your pace and not pull on their leash.
Hold Off On Exciting Environments
To start, you may want to avoid hikes that are full of people and other animals. This can be too exciting for your dog and make training more challenging. Instead, you may want to train them in an area that won’t stimulate them too much. A stroll in a quiet neighborhood at a time where there aren’t many people or cars may work best when dealing with a dog pulling on leash. This way, your dog’s attention is on you and your training.
Keep A Consistent Walking Method
Dogs love consistency and by being consistent, you can help them develop a desired behavior quicker. It may be a good idea to choose one method of walking and stick with it. Keep your pace consistent. Do you prefer your dog to be on the left of you or on the right? Ideally, keep this the same so they know what’s expected of them.
Have Healthy Treats On Hand
Dogs love rewards. And treats are one of the most effective rewards when it comes to training. When you want to start your journey of loose-leashing and eventually stop dog pulling on the leash, treats can come in handy.
Show your dog that good things happen when they walk without pulling on their leash. Especially in the beginning, you may want to toss them a healthy treat or give them lots of praise when they do a good job. This can help your dog understand what’s considered good behavior.
Our Alaskan Salmon topper treats are petite in size but full of flavor. To help stop dog pulling, you may want to keep several on hand during your walks or time together outdoors.If your dog is looking for something a bit bigger than bite-sized, our Sweet ‘Tater Bones may be the perfect fit. And if you want an even more enticing, lip-smacking treat, get our Sweet ‘Tater Bones. They’re covered in rich peanut butter and may be just what you need to stop your dog from pulling.
Training takes time. Make sure to have fun and be generous with positive praise. Soon, you’ll find the right methods that work best for you and your dog! Who knows? You might be able to succeed in dealing with your dog pulling on their leash sooner than you think!
