Training Tips For Dogs That Pull On The Leash

Many pet owners describe dogs that get frenzied when it’s time for a walk. They
bark and jump up making it impossible to get the collar and leash on, or they lunge and drag their
owners down the block or walking path, causing a spectacle. Some dogs get so excited they end
up injuring their owners by pulling them down or jerking too hard on the leash, causing strained
muscles and leather/nylon burns.

Because walking on a leash is an important form of exercise for many dogs and is often required
by city ordinance, it is important to teach your dog to walk nicely or heel when on the leash.

How To Stop Dogs From Pulling On a Leash

1.) CALM THOSE PRE-WALK JITTERS
If your dog gets too excited when you put on her collar or go to get the leash, you will first need
to teach her to calm down. If things are out of control before the walk even begins, you are
setting the tone for the rest of the activity.
If your dog knows to sit and stay, give her this
command before putting on the leash and don’t
give in until she does it. At the very least, your
dog should stand still and let you get situated. If
she does not comply, you do not put the leash on
and the walk is postponed. You can’t give in
because then you will be reinforcing the negative behavior. If your dog is especially hyper when
preparing for a walk, you may need to plan ahead and anticipate that this could take some time.
Don’t wait for the last minute to begin preparing for a potty break walk or you may end up with
an accident.
By insisting on a calm demeanor before putting on the collar or leash, you start out in control
and teach the dog that you expect her to behave in a certain manner while on the leash.

2.) DON’T LEAVE THE HOUSE UNTIL YOUR DOG IS CALM
This is simply and extension of tip #1. If the dog sits still while you put the leash on, but then
goes crazy, jumping and pulling all over, you still don’t have control and shouldn’t leave for the
walk yet. Patiently stand still and let your dog romp around until she realizes that you aren’t
going anywhere with her acting like that.
It may take awhile but she will eventually calm down and you can praise her and proceed with
the walk. But if she begins jumping or lunging, stop and make her sit until she is calm again.
Then praise her and move on. At first, you may not get beyond the sidewalk, but your dog will
eventually learn that nothing is going to happen until she calms down. If you continue to walk
while your dog pulls on the lead, you are teaching her that the behavior is okay. You must be
firm and consistent if you want her to learn quickly.
For large, powerful dogs, or extreme lungers, a mouth harness will give you more control
without hurting the dog and making her fearful of collars and walks in general. Remember, this
is supposed to be fun for both you and your dog.

3.) TEACH YOUR DOG TO HEEL
The “Heel” command means that the dog walks on your right side with her head near your knee.
The leash is slack, and the dog responds to the pace you set, slowing and speeding up as needed
in order to stay in the heel position. She watches your knee and moves with you as you turn
corners or weave through people and other obstacles.

To begin teaching this command, say your dog’s name and then the word “heel” and step
forward. If she does not follow, give a jerk on the leash or pat your leg. A small treat held just
in front of her nose can also work well. When your dog reaches the heel position next to your
knee, praise her and give her the treat but keep on walking. If your dog moves too far ahead or
behind, repeat the command and give another corrective tug on the leash.

You do not want to give the dog a treat every time she strays from the heel position and then
returns. She only gets the treat when she stays in the correct area for a certain amount of time.
At first this may be several seconds, but it should gradually increase to minutes or entire walks.

4.) TRY A DIFFERENT COLLAR OR A HARNESS
Some people have had success with prong collars, but we prefer less painful methods. As their
name implies, prong collars have sharp spikes of metal that push into the dog’s skin or give him
a sharp pinch when he pulls to hard on the lead. Our trainers felt that there was too much
opportunity for this type of collar to be misused. And they also felt that adding pain to a heeling
exercise makes the dog want to avoid the activity all together.

Choker collars have been in use for years, and if treated properly, can be an effective tool for
teaching your dog not to pull on the lead. If you are using a regular collar, you may want to try a
chain choker, but be sure to ask a trainer or veterinarian for advice on how to use it. If you jerk
too hard on the collar, you can damage your dog’s throat or airway. The point of a choker collar
is to let the dog decide to back off the leash when it feels its airway getting restricted.
One of the most recommended products to help curb a dog’s pulling is The Gentle Leader®
headcollar, developed by Dr. R. K. Anderson, DVM, a well-know animal behavior expert, and
Ruth E. Foster, past President of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors. The
two came together to develop a humane and effective way to manage one’s dog without all the pulling,
jerking, and power struggles.

The Leader uses two soft nylon straps, one that fits high at the top of the neck, and the other
that fits loosely and comfortably across the base of the dog’s nose. Although it looks somewhat
like a muzzle, the Leader only holds your dog’s mouth shut if you pull on the leash. Otherwise
he is free to eat, drink, pant, and any other normal behavior that requires him to have his mouth
open.

The Leader is based on basic dog behavior principles. The strap over the muzzle mimics an
alpha dog’s gentle muzzle bite used to demonstrate dominance. Also, any dog with his nose
pushed down is put in a more submissive position. This helps with general obedience as well as
deterring the dog from pulling on the lead.

The strap at the back of the neck applies pressure in the same location that mother dogs use
when picking up their pups by the scruff of the neck. The dog’s natural instinct is to relax, rather
than pull, making lead training much easier and avoiding any choking or sharp jerks. Several
owners in our group use the Gentle Leader and have had success with it. Dave explained that it
gives him gentle control over Abby without causing her fear or discomfort that would add to her
insecurity. For more aggressive dogs, the Leader not only reduces their pulling on the leash, it
keeps them from barking or biting if the leash is held tight.