But is doesn’t have to be that way!
You dog could walk great like this…
When your dog won’t stop pulling on the leash you might start looking at options to fix this like:
- Working with a Dog Trainer or Dog Behaviorist.
- Using a choke collar, prong or e-collar.
- Try all sorts of training techniques with treats to have them calm down.
- Yet you find that none of these options end up fixing the leash pulling…
So what can you do to fix this?
If you want to have a well behaved dog on a walk one thing you need to do is let them see that you’re the pack-leader. Lack of leadership is so often a cause for so many problems including pulling on the leash and other lack of manners related issues.
In most cases, once a dog has leader or a good relationship with their handler they will follow, without ever pulling or misbehaving.
Becoming the pack leader has little to do with asserting dominance or being harsh with your dog. It has a lot to do with applying rules and boundaries which humans sometimes overlook and in many cases are not aware of… Dogs communicate primarily using non-verbal methods… and humans also use non-verbal methods but they often contradict them with verbal communication. Understanding non-verbal communication isn’t something we’re normally taught.
These leadership rules of dog-psychology go back to how wolves function as pack animals. Within packs there’s always a leader. And the leaders are the ones who run the show. They eat first and the pack follows… And this is a critical thing you need to understand: The pack leader LEADS the hunt. And in your dog’s mind, when you go for a walk, it is the equivalent of them going on a hunt…So if your dog is out in front of you pulling on their leash… You are allowing them to think they’re the pack leader! That means they are responsible for themselves and you. That is a lot of responsibility you are placing on them.
So what can you do about this? You need to become the leader in your dog’s eyes
Don’t let your dog think the food magically appears on the kitchen floor. Be sure they know it comes from you and you control it. The control can be anything from making them wait, to making them work for it. Ideally I recommend that whatever you do, modify it so it continues to increase the challenge for your dog.
When there is an issue, take care of it like a leader would. If your dog alerts you to something/anything…. take the lead roll in dealing with what your dog is concerned with. This can be done by getting between the issue and your dog and having your dog move back away from the issue.
Have the dog respect your space. Whether you just come home from being away all day or your are trying to walk from one room to another… Don’t let the dog invade your space unless they are being invited. If your dog pushes by you to get out the door, or jumps on you when you get home that is disrespectful. In most cases, changing this doesn’t take hurting your dog physically. If you are concerned it could hurt their feelings start thinking about how they feel since they don’t have anyone to protect and take care of them
Start walking your dog, not them walking you. Although this seems like it is the results of the problem, it is often part of the cause. You can make simple changes in your wakling routine to help change your dogs mindset about who is taking care of who. Here are a few tips that can help:
- When you start out, walk like you have someplace to be and you are late.
- Try to walk with a short but loose lease.
- If the leash is tight, stop until it loosens. Don’t move forward toward the dog to loosen the leash, wait for them to learn that they don’t move unless the leash is loose.
- Harnesses are for dogs to pull a sled or for police dogs to increase their excitement trying to get to a bad guy. Try to use a collar that stays up near the head. There are gentle leaders, slip leads and other collars that make walking a strong dog much easier.
