Dogs pulling on the leash is one of their common behavior, especially when they are not familiar with it. They usually have a different agenda as compared to their human companions. While the humans like to walk in an orderly fashion along a sidewalk or trail. They followed their nose and wanted to go wherever they wanted.
Moreover, dogs vary their speed depending upon different factors as compared to the deliberate pace of humans. All of these factors lead them to a love-hate relationship when it comes to walking together. People don't like their dragging behavior on the leash, especially when you down sideways every time you head out the door. Does your dog also head out on his leash? Let's see the different ways to stop your dog from pulling on the leash.
1. Used a chest-led harness
The right gear makes a big
difference in your dog pulling, especially when it comes to walking. If your
dog is also pulling during walking, it's time to invest in a chest-led harness.
These types of harnesses have a leash attached to a clip on the dog's chest
instead of the collar around their neck. Naturally, dogs pull in the opposite
direction against the pressure put on their body. For example, when you walk
behind your dog, they pull you in the forward direction, and when you push on
their back, they resist. You can use this harness in combination with your
traditional collar.
2. Don't reinforce bad behavior
Don't yell on your dog to punish him when your dog begins to pull. Yes, it can be your first tempting behavior when your dog tries to pull you along with him, but you need to show some patience.
You need to stand still for a few minutes whenever your dog tries this and don't resume walking until your dog comes back towards you.
Praise
him for coming back and resting and begin walking again slowly. Repeat this
process until your dog understands that slow forward motion is the only way to
move forward without interruption.
3. Be unpredictable
You can reverse your direction
whenever your dog tries to pull. Whenever he pulls you, just stop and say, "let’s
go” or “this way” and begin in the opposite direction. Praise him each time he follows
you in the reverse direction. It may take some time for your dog to understand,
but after a while, he will understand that the best thing for him is to walk
right aside from you.
4. Incorporate small stops on your route
Sometimes it’s very boring for
the dogs to walk in a straight line on a concrete sidewalk through his sense of
smell. So, whenever you are training your dog with a leash, you can place a few
smelly places along the route and allow your dog to stop, sniff, and leave his
calling card here. It’s a great way of rewarding the good behavior of your dog.
Moreover, these smells are also a great way of stimulation for your dog.
5. Reward their good behavior
Use the small treats to
motivate your dog during the training. These treats help him to learn the
process quickly with great fun. You can reduce the number of treats with the
time when your dog learns to behave well on a leash. But don’t miss to praise
him for his good behavior as it’s reminded him of the behavior you want.
6. Be patient
Patience is one of the most
important things in any kind of dog training. Yes, it’s very frustrating for
the owners to constantly monitor their dog's progress, but it’s important to train
your dog. The right mindset is always necessary to get the perfect results. Hopefully,
with patience, you will enjoy your daily walks with your dog as it’s a good
physical activity, which also provides you with many mental and emotional
benefits.
