Struggling with dog leash pulling? Here’s how to fix it
If you’ve ever been on a walk with your dog, and they’ve stopped dead in their tracks, you know how frustrating that can be. It seems your pet’s stubbornness reaches a whole new level. Aside from ensuring you have an excellent dog leash to prevent your pet from running away, what can you do to get them going again?
Read on for valuable leash training tips next time your dog pulls this little trick.
Identify what causes your dog to stop
Usually, there is a reason your dog has stopped during a walk. Puppies, in particular, could be feeling a sense of danger being so far away from what they have grown to know as home.
Dogs can be perceptive and may sense fear or danger. That could lead them to feel anxious about what’s ahead.
If any of the above could be the case, pause with your dog to look at the surroundings.
See if you’re seeing anything that might be causing them to feel stressed. In these situations, sit down with your dog and talk with them.
Pet them a bit and try to bring them comfort. They need to know that they can trust and feel safe with you.
In other cases, your dog could be bored or alerting you to something they are feeling physically. Either way, you want to identify what causes them to stop.
Change up your walking route
Some dogs become bored with their walks.
They want a little more excitement, and they very well may be stopping out of sheer boredom.
If that’s the case, change the route if possible.
Switch it up and start in the opposite direction. Venture down different side streets.
If possible, take them in the car to a different location for a walk.
Take note of any pain or discomfort
In some cases, your dog stopping abruptly on a walk could be a sign of some pain or discomfort they are feeling.
Maybe you notice your pet always stops in the same spot (which could mean they stop at a particular time during the walk), which indicates this is when they start to find the pain unbearable.
Observe how your pet is walking.
Are they limping? Is their stride different?
If you suspect pain could be why they are having difficulty during your walks, sit with them, hold the dog leash tight, and talk to them. Ask them if they’re feeling pain.
Take a look to see if you can find it. Then, offer a solution. Let them know you can go back home if they need to.
If you have any concerns about their health, talk with their vet to identify what could be happening.
Leash training techniques
Here are some specific training techniques and strategies to encourage continuous walking and discourage pulling or stopping.
Set realistic expectations and focus on polite walking.
Use positive reinforcement
Treats and praise: Carry high-value treats and offer them to your dog when they are walking calmly beside you. Praise them verbally and enthusiastically to reinforce this behavior.
Clicker training: If you’re using a clicker, click when your dog walks beside you without pulling, and immediately follow with a treat. This immediate feedback helps them associate walking nicely on the leash with positive outcomes.
Establish a ‘heel’ command
Teach your dog a clear ‘heel’ command to indicate the desired walking position.
Start in a quiet area, encouraging your dog to stay close to your side. Praise and reward them for maintaining the position.
Gradually increase the level of distraction as they get better at it.
Stop and go technique
When your dog pulls ahead, stop walking immediately. Stand still until they come back to you or show a loose leash.
Once they do, continue walking. This teaches them that pulling does not lead to progress; stopping does. And it encourages loose-leash walking.
Change directions
When your dog pulls or stops, change your direction quickly.
This unexpected movement motivates them to pay attention and follow you.
Make sure to reward them when they respond to your change in pace and direction.
Frequent breaks
Incorporate regular breaks during walks.
If your dog stops or pulls, let them have a moment to sniff around or explore briefly. Then, continue your walk.
This not only gives them a chance to exert some energy but also teaches them that walk time includes both movement and exploration.
Short, engaging routes
Begin with shorter walks that are more manageable. Choose routes with varying sights and smells to keep your dog engaged.
As they get more comfortable walking on a leash, gradually increase the distance.
Leash training equipment
Consider using training collars or harnesses designed to discourage pulling.
A front-clip harness can redirect your dog’s attention back to you when they pull.
Ensure whatever equipment you choose is comfortable and safe for your dog.
Practice focus commands
Teach your dog focus commands such as “look at me” or “watch.”
Practicing these commands during walks can redirect their attention to you instead of distractions, encouraging them to keep moving.
Consistent routine
Keep a consistent walking routine regarding duration, time of day, and routes. Dogs thrive on routine, and this familiarity can reduce anxiety and encourage them to walk more calmly.
Avoid adding stress to the situation
The first thing you don’t want to do when your dog abruptly stops walking is add stress to the situation.
In many cases, your dog could stop because they are anxious.
Making them feel even more nervous by trying to tug on their dog leash or demanding that they start moving will only delay them longer.
This advice isn’t simple to implement, as it can feel incredibly frustrating to have your dog refuse to move.
Instead of getting frustrated, do something calming to take you out of the situation. Take a few deep breaths.
Pull out your phone or take a book with you to flip through. Sit down next to your dog.
Showing your dog that you won’t feed into their behavior can result in them realizing you’re not going to give in to them.
When your dog does start moving again, toss them a treat to reward them for walking again.
This will help your dog learn that walking is the good behavior you’re looking for and will strive to meet that need again.
Final thoughts on leash training
Taking your dog for a walk can be very relaxing, but you can feel annoyed when the walk ends abruptly.
As you get your dog comfortable with using a leash and taking walks, understand the leash training process can take a while to nail down.
Some dogs even develop challenges in their adult years.
Training is a lifelong challenge, so you’ll need to continue leash training.
Follow these leash training tips to effectively find a solution to help your dog and get them moving again.