Teaching your dog not to pull on the leash can be very challenging. Most often a dog will pull because of its emotional state. Because dogs are pack animals, they have the instinct to guard and protect their territory. Also pulling is done for fun or excitement. In this article we will go over the why and how to teach a dog not to pull on the leash, ways to prevent the pulling, and why consistency and repetition are important.
One important tip on how to teach a dog not to pull on the leash is consistency. Dogs learn best when they are taught a lesson consistently. So if you happen to be teaching him to not pull on the leash each and every time you take your dog out for a walk, he won’t know that you mean business and will most likely think that it is okay to pull on the leash as well. You want your dog to walk on a consistent basis.
The second tip on how to teach a dog not to pull on the leash is repetition. Repetition is the key to successful dog training. With the consistent repetition you will teach your dog that pulling on the leash when on walks is not acceptable. When your puppy gets excited, he will want to pull on the leash, especially if his master isn’t paying attention and doesn’t correct him.
A third tip on how to teach a dog not to pull on the leash is patience. Patience is very important when trying to train your dog not to pull on the leash while on walks. If you’ve never owned a dog training dog before, or if you aren’t sure how to properly train your dog, you may find that it can take some time. Be prepared, because it can take many attempts before you begin to see results. Give your dog enough time to get used to the idea and then you’ll be ready to begin your walking sessions.
Once you have worked your dog to walk correctly, you can begin with the next step of how to teach a dog not to pull on the leash while on walks. This step involves using the side harness for walks. The side harness works by attaching to the dog’s collar with a buckle. When the dog pulls on the leash, the harness releases the strap so that it tightens around the dog’s torso, holding him firmly in place.
As with any type of dog training, you need to remain consistent. If you start out by letting your dog pulls on the leash during walks, you will confuse him. This could cause your dog to develop fear and begin pulling even more, which could lead to a potentially dangerous situation. Consistency in the use of the harness is very important. He will learn to walk nicely with the harness and will enjoy being able to relax and enjoy being with you.
One other thing that you may want to consider is offering your dog a treat when he is walking near you, so that he learns that pulling will get him a treat. This may sound like a strange way to motivate a dog, but most dogs respond well to rewards. After all, it’s better to give your dog a treat every time he obeys your commands than to allow him to pull on the leash for his whole walk. Your dog will soon understand that pulling is not rewarded, so he won’t do it.
You now know how to teach a dog not to pull on the leash, so go ahead and take it to the next level – the side harness. Start out by attaching the side clip harness to the dog’s collar, making sure that the harness is placed on the top of his hips. Next, put a doggy treat on your dog’s nose and lead him through a simple walkway or down the block, allowing him to see that he’s in control. After a few days of using this method, your dog will realize that pulling doesn’t get him anything.
