In the second installment of Common behavioral problems, we are looking at Leash Pulling. Ideally, leash training should take place as soon as possible with a puppy so they don’t form habits that are far harder to break as they get older.
Leash pulling is a very common problem and the number one problem I have worked on with puppies and young adults. It is not only problematic as it makes the walk unpleasant for both the dog and yourself being pulled along, but can cause some serious issues to the dog’s throat and neck.
There are several ways to manage this problem such as using a halti collar and some say a harness with the strap across the chest eases the pulling, both can certainly ease the pressure and damage that can be done to the dog’s throat. Any type of collar that causes pain to the dog to manage the walk is not only cruel but can ruin the bond you have with your dog. It does not teach them that good things come when walking with you and can do a lot of damage to a stubborn dog who will continue to pull and harm themselves. There are also methods for positioning the collar high under the dogs’ jaw and leading them with a short and tight leash but I personally find this is a constant adjustment technique as the collar can easily work its way down the neck.
I personally prefer to work with the dog to change the behavior and thought process rather than using any special equipment. Leash respect training is the start of the process and involves rewarding your dog with a treat and verbal reinforcement for simply being on lead and not pulling. No walk required. The aim is to get the dog to focus on you and gently redirect them when they lose focus and start pulling away on the lead. Its best done at home in a quiet and relaxed environment and the dog learns that when on leash, if they are not pulling good things happen.
I then move onto techniques that train the dogs mind to realise that pulling gets them nowhere. These methods do not hurt the dog at all nor cause any discomfort. Stopping all together when a dog starts pulling until the leash goes slack is one technique, I have had most success with. Although it may be tedious at first to stop every time pulling starts, the dog quickly learns that the walk resumes when they are not pulling and the walk stops when they start pulling. Once again, positive reinforcement with this training is vital, and this is done with treats and verbal praise. I also keep the dog focused on myself and reinforce that good things come from me when they display the right behavior. Finally, walking close to my side on a loose shorter leash is the next part of the process once they perfect not pulling. This comes fairly quickly and easily when the dog understands the task and realizes how the walk should be done.
There are more simple fixes that can help your dog pulling on a leash and a combination of dog training methods are usually required, especially for younger more distracted dogs. This includes teaching the dog to relax on the leash when in distracting environments with chill time on the walk and training to the dog to come rather than get distracted and try to run off on a walk. Be assured this problem can be fixed, it’s just takes commitment, daily reinforcement training and some patience.