STOP YOUR DOG PULLING ON THE LEASH
Does your dog drag you down the street? Follow these steps to stop leash pulling and start enjoying your walks.
Why Does Leash Pulling Happen?
Leash pulling happens for one simple reason – it works. Your dog pulls on the leash and it gets them to where they want to go.
Avoid Reinforcing Pulling
When your dog is on leash, it’s important to consistently avoid reinforcing pulling. The function of the pulling behavior is to move towards whatever has their attention. If you move towards what they are pulling to get to, you reinforce the pulling.
Pulling on leash should no longer work for your dog to get them where they want to go. Instead, pulling now causes them to lose access to what they were pulling towards. The moment your dog starts to pull, immediately turn and go in the opposite direction. You can then circle back to the original direction you were going as long as they aren’t pulling.
A Note About Gear
Regardless of what kind of gear (harness, martingale collar, prong collar, head halter, etc.) you choose to walk your dog in, you will still need to actively train loose-leash walking.
Gear doesn’t train dogs – people do. If pulling works for your dog – regardless of gear – they will continue to pull on the leash.
Reinforce Loose-Leash Walking
Now that you’ve stopped reinforcing your dog for pulling on leash, it’s time to start reinforcing your dog for walking on a loose leash. Incorporate the attention game and the follow me game into your walks.
Attention Game
Eye contact is the foundation for many behaviors, including loose-leash walking. The more you can capture your dog offering you eye contact (without being cued first), the more often they’ll check in with you and the better they’ll listen to you. You can do this in a structured game, and by paying them when they offer it unprompted during your daily life.
To play the Attention Game, start with treats in your hands by your hips and wait quietly. The moment your dog makes eye contact with you, say “YES!” and pay them.
The next step in criteria is treats in your hands held away from your hips a bit. Then treats held out to the side away from your body. The step after that is waving the treats around.
Practice this in different environments (inside, in the yard, and on walks) to create a strong reinforcement history of paying attention to you no matter the environment.
Follow Me Game
Playing the follow me game will create a reinforcement zone (next to or just behind your pant seam) that your dog chooses to be in because it is reinforcing.
Start with a treat in your hand and walk around your home. The moment your dog goes to the reinforcement zone (the area next to or just behind your pant seam) they get the treat. When this is going well with the treat in your hand, practice without the treat in your hand. Instead, have treats in a bait bag or pocket ready to deliver when they land in the reinforcement zone. Be sure to pay behind your pant seam to prevent reinforcing crossing in front of you.
Use A Longer Leash
Whenever safe to, use a longer leash. 10 feet is a great manageable length that gives freedom for your dog to sniff and explore without pulling.
Let Them Sniff
Sniffing is how dogs experience the world. Encouraging them to sniff will help meet their needs, leading to a more calm and content dog, and reducing pulling on leash.
Not allowing your dog to sniff on walks is the equivalent of taking a child to Disneyland and not allowing them on any rides. Allowing your dog to sniff (as long as it’s safe and they don’t pull you to do so) will mean more enjoyable walks for both of you.
Be Consistent
With consistent practice, your dog will learn that pulling doesn’t work, and walking on a loose leash will be rewarded. Frustration will be replaced with relaxation and you will both enjoy your walks.