Loose lead walking
WHY IS MY DOG PULLING ON THE LEAD?
There are several reasons why your dog could be pulling on the lead, but here are a few common reasons:
OKAY, SO HOW DO I GET MY DOG TO STOP PULLING ON THE LEAD?
When training loose leash walking, it’s imperative that you consider every leashed event a training opportunity. There are many effective methods to train loose leash walking, but this particular method is my favourite.
Points to remember about loose lead walking
If this method doesn’t seem appropriate, here are a few other methods to practice loose leash walking.
Remember, practice makes perfect!
There are several reasons why your dog could be pulling on the lead, but here are a few common reasons:
- Dogs oppose restraint. When the collar tightens as your dog pulls, your dog naturally pulls harder. The opposition restraint reflex was a great way to survive in the wild, but unfortunately it doesn’t carry over to life with humans.
- It’s unnatural. Humans walk, while dogs prefer to trot. Humans want to get from Point A to Point B, while dogs want to chase and sniff.
- Random variable reinforcement. By allowing your dog to randomly pull on the lead to sniff or chase, the behaviour is randomly being reinforced.
OKAY, SO HOW DO I GET MY DOG TO STOP PULLING ON THE LEAD?
When training loose leash walking, it’s imperative that you consider every leashed event a training opportunity. There are many effective methods to train loose leash walking, but this particular method is my favourite.
- With your dog leashed, head out on a walk. As soon as your dog pulls, stop walking.
- Wait for your dog to turn back and look at you, encourage him to return to a loose leash position by offering a treat delivered at your side (not held out towards the dog). If necessary, use a treat to lure your pup to the loose leash position. Note: Loose leash walking is different than heeling. Heeling should not be done for long periods of time.
- Once your dog is in a loose-leash position, begin walking again.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 each time your dog pulls.
Points to remember about loose lead walking
- Every time your dog is on lead, you are training, so if you are in a hurry or just don't 'feel' like it. Then don't take your dog for a leashed walk, you will undo your training and make future training very difficult.
- This is a 'casual' form of walking, personally I don't mind where my dogs walk in relation to me, as long as the lead is loose. Yes, I let them sniff, but as long as my one criteria is being met, that the lead is loose.
- Don't just follow your dog wherever they want to go, it sets a bad habit, as the dog will learn that if the pull hard enough you will eventually give in and let them go sniff that amazing spot.
- Highly recommend starting this style of walking with a hands-free lead, this way it is easy to feel when there is tension on the lead. Try threading the handle of your lead to a belt.
- If your not going to use a hands-free lead then get your lead hand to hold on to a piece of your clothing so that your arm can't travel out and give the dog more room to pull.
- I don't use a command when walking, its assumed that when the lead is attached that the dog will use their manners and settle into the walk. If I allow people to use commands to walk, all of a sudden it becomes a march, rather than a casual relaxing walk.
If this method doesn’t seem appropriate, here are a few other methods to practice loose leash walking.
Remember, practice makes perfect!