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How to Leash Train Your DogTips to Correct Your Pet's Pulling BehaviorIt's no fun to walk a dog that's pulling at the end of his leash. There are ways to curb this conduct using positive reinforcement methods.
Dogs learn best when they’re rewarded, either with verbal praise or treats. When pet owners use positive training methods, they forge stronger bonds with their pet, which will encourage the dogs to want to please their masters. When dogs are physically or verbally punished, they learn to fear and will follow commands simply to avoid consequences. This does nothing to correct the underlying behavior. Furthermore, it doesn’t make the dog feel safe and loved, two things dogs need to be healthy and happy. Why Dogs Pull on Their LeashesMost dogs love walks. They love the idea of getting out and having an opportunity to explore the sights, sounds and smells of the great outdoors. A dog pulls on its leash in an effort to get to the next tree, bush or source of entertainment that much faster. If a dog has been allowed to do this every time he’s walked, he sees nothing wrong with it. As is the case with previously abused or abandoned dogs, it's possible that the dog has never been walked before, and just does what comes naturally. He thinks it’s perfectly fine to pull his master down the street toward the next exciting destination. Correcting a Pet's Pulling BehaviorTo put an end to this, the master should let the dog “run out” of leash. When he does, the dog will have no choice but to stop. When he pulls, repeating a simple word like “heel,” or “stop,” or even a sound like “ah” will get his attention. Then once he stops in his tracks, he can begin walking again. Repeating the process will teach the dog that he’ll only get to move forward if he doesn’t pull. As smart as dogs are, they don’t understand long speeches, so it’s important to keep it simple and consistent. If a dog hears “hey” sometimes, and “no” other times, and “heel” still other times, he won’t get the message right away. Choose a command and stick with it. Reward him when he walks where he is supposed to, whether it’s close or a few steps ahead. Speaking in a soothing manner when praising him, patting him or slipping him a treat will let him know he should continue this behavior. He’ll get the message. He’ll then discover that walking without pulling is the fun activity, since he’s rewarded. And we all know dogs like to do things when there’s a reward involved. When training begins, it could take ten minutes to go twenty feet. But with consistent training and positive reinforcement, walking the dog will soon be an enjoyable activity.
The copyright of the article How to Leash Train Your Dog in Dog Training is owned by Colleen O'Brien. Permission to republish How to Leash Train Your Dog in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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