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7 Tips Against Pulling on the Leash

If the dog constantly pulls on the leash, this is not only annoying, but can also be dangerous. Read here how to teach your dog to stop pulling on the leash.

Daily walks can quickly become overwhelming if the dog is constantly rushing forward and pulling on the leash. A dog should be accustomed to the leash as early as possible and learn to walk alongside you. But you can still teach your dog later to refrain from pulling on the leash. Read here how you can do this.

Stop and go

It is safe, but also time-consuming and tedious to teach the dog to walk on the leash again with stop-and-go training. To do this, proceed as follows:

Always stand still without a word when the dog tightens the leash. That irritates him. If he turns and comes towards you, reward him. If he moves on, do not follow him, but stand still and stop him using the leash.

If it continues, he will probably pull again and you will have to stop again. Even if it is difficult, you should stick to this strategy. Because your dog will ultimately understand that it can only keep running if it doesn’t pull.

Palm as a stop sign

Use your hand to slow down your dog. A palm in front of the nose clearly sets the pace. This is how you signal your dog: This far and no further!

Diversionary tactics

Get your dog’s attention by making yourself more interesting than his surroundings. Through small tasks, alternating between holding a ball or a tether, the closeness to you becomes more exciting than the (futile) tugging.

Collars and flexible leashes are taboo

No collar will hold back a dog that puts in a lot of effort and puts excessive strain on the leash. On the contrary: it damages the larynx and the cervical vertebrae. Spiked collars and chokes should be a thing of the past anyway, because they don’t teach the dog anything but cause pain and injury.

Also the flexi leash is counterproductive because it minimizes the impact you have. Until the leash training is done, it is best to use a harness that fits perfectly and distributes the pressure on the chest.

Small deal

Encourage your dog to walk loosely on a leash with treats. Be sure to keep scented treats in a pocket on the side you walk your dog. The dog is allowed to sniff this before the leash training. Then let the line slack and lure by tapping the bag. If the dog walks on a loose leash, it deserves a reward.

Change of pace and direction

Go ahead, turn around immediately if the line gets too tight and run in the opposite direction. Sometimes fast, then slowly. Each time the dog begins to pull, change either direction or pace. This confuses and requires concentration from the dog. But also from you, because under no circumstances should you bow to his change of pace or direction.

Such a walk can even be fun if you develop enough imagination. Put words to each change: laaaangsaaam, speed, back, forward, left around, right around, turn, and now in a circle! All in an encouraging voice, by no means strictly as an order, but like a game that just occurred to you.

Especially small dogs, with which you can keep up, soon find such a dance walk exciting and try to read the next steps from your eyes. As a reward there is unlimited free running or a sniffing round in which your dog can determine the breaks.

Be consistent and reward

If your dog pulls on the leash again despite the training, don’t be put off. If you stay consistent with your strategy, your dog will learn that there is no other way for him to walk than to walk loosely on a leash. Because only then will there be a sense of achievement for him, in the form of praise or a reward. Give him a dog-friendly pace once he gets the hang of it.

You should adapt the training time to the age of your dog so that it does not become overtired. After that he should let off steam or be allowed to play with other dogs.

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