Welcome to our “Detraining Your Pet” series, where we help you “detrain” your pet from those naughty or boring bad habits and get them back to being the best boys and girls.
If you feel like you’re trying to hold off a runaway team of reindeer while walking your dog, you’re not alone. Leash pulling is a common problem for dogs and their parents. So here are some tips for training your dog to walk on a loose leash that will hopefully make the walk a much more enjoyable experience for both of you.
Keep them harnessed and in control
You wouldn’t use a draft horse’s harness on a Shetland pony, and the same rule applies for fitting a harness and leash to your dog. Be sure to use the correct harness for your dog’s size. You can check which size harness to buy by measuring your dog’s weight and girth. The harness should not cause his neck or shoulders to swell, and you should be able to fit two fingers comfortably between the harness and your dog’s body. A harness is the safest option while your dog is learning to walk on a loose leash, because a leash attached to a collar could cause your dog to choke if he pulls on it.
While your dog is undergoing leash etiquette training, it is best to use a shorter leash for more control. Consider your size and your dog’s size so that both of you are comfortable as you walk around. Once your dog has mastered loose leash walking, you can use a longer leash, as long as there are no leash length rules where you are walking. For example, some nature trails limit leash length to 6 feet.
Stop. Go. Stop. Go (and repeat).
Once you’ve verified that you have the correct harness/leash configuration, it’s time to tackle the traction problem. It’s a good idea to start training indoors or in a place where there are fewer distractions (eg a squirrel running past). Start by asking your dog to stand by your side with a loose leash. Reward them if they stand still next to you. Then take a step forward and if he “stays” without shooting, give him another reward. Keep repeating the process around the house, increasing the number of steps you take and rewarding them when the leash stays loose.
If your dog starts to pull, stop moving and wait until you feel the leash loosen a bit and praise him immediately. You want them to learn that a loose leash is the goal and that they are rewarded for staying loose. When they come back to you, praise and reward them, then start walking again. Stop if they start shooting and repeat the reward process. Once they have mastered walking around the house on a loose leash, venture outside where there are more distractions. You may have to repeat the “stop, go” process, but hopefully they will soon remember that a loose leash means rewards.
Who is a good dog?
Once your dog begins to walk without pulling, it’s important to continue rewarding good behavior. Don’t just reward them when they fire and then stop, but also reward them when they walk right beside you. It just keeps reinforcing that a loose leash leads to a lot of love.
And if your dog wants to stop and smell the roses or a mailbox or another dog, let him. Dogs use scent to understand their surroundings and to “talk” or send “messages” to each other. This is a natural behavior that should be encouraged on your walks, unless either dog is showing signs of aggression or stress.
Like most bad habits, pulling on a leash can take some time to overcome. But with perseverance, patience and praise, I hope you won’t be dragged into the block again. If you continue to have trouble pulling on a leash, seek advice from your veterinarian or consult a professional trainer.
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