Orlovia
I don’t think there is even one reader who doesn’t know this: Instead of a relaxed walk, the dog pulls on the leash as much as it can. That may still be possible with puppies, after all the little guy is only just learning and is still a lightweight.
The Dog Pulls on the Leash
But if, for example, you take in a young dog in its rebellious phase or give a home to an adult dog, it is quite possible that there have been gaps in dog training in the past. You must now eradicate these. You often see the following on the street: someone either has a brand new dog on a leash or is not the owner of the animal themselves, but is just doing a friend a favor by quickly taking their four-legged friend out for a walk: the dog pulls and the Man, at the other end of the line, jerks the line back. In the following article, I have summarized why you should not do this and how you can get this problem under control.
Why is the Dog Pulling Like That?
Dogs that move their owners around are often simply unsettled. Here you should ask yourself whether you are being stringent and assertive enough for your dog. Consequently, when in doubt, your dog will want to make you change direction in order to protect you. He fears something unpredictable.
In addition, your dog may doubt your steadfastness and consistency. Think about whether you may have actually “let yourself be dragged”. If you were simply too relaxed and let yourself be pushed around, then pulling your dog on his leash is only a logical consequence.
Also, it may be that the leash you put on your dog somehow doesn’t suit him. Not every dog is used to this from the start and takes a leash for granted. Try using a harness. You can also try clicker training. Of course, everything that distracts and motivates and directs you in your direction is also possible: games, squeaky toys, and treats. Bribery expressly allowed!
How Do I Solve the Problem?
First of all: Simply giving the leash a strong tug to retaliate is not an option at all. This can result in injuries to the larynx and spine. In principle, it doesn’t have to be a leash, a harness is often more digestible overall, especially since the dog sometimes gives up pulling on its own because the stupid collar may have been the only thing that bothered you. In the meantime, there are also head holders that exert slight pressure on the dog’s snout in order to correct its pull.
It is very important that you and your dog have learned all commands clearly and patiently. An understood and implemented “Stop!” often works wonders here!
If you have a little troublemaker at the other end of the leash who just likes to show off and wants to point you in the right direction, be more stubborn! If the leash is pulled, stop. No matter how much your four-legged friend freaks out – you imitate a pillar of salt.
Only when your dog has calmed down and lets the leash slack can you praise it and move on again. Even if it only works for two meters: repeat this exercise. Treats are expressly allowed. The reward is a must to reinforce the learning effect. Is tugged – you stop and ignore your four-legged friend again until the leash is loose again.