Top Dog Training Techniques to Stop Your Dog From Pulling
Many people have pulled their dog from a lead because they just can’t stand the habit. It’s not that they don’t understand the reason – pulling on lead is very dangerous to a dog and his owner! However, when a dog pulls on a lead, the owner must put pressure on the lead in order to correct the behavior. This can be quite difficult, and is not the easiest thing to do. Luckily, there are simple solutions to stop dog pulling on a lead.
First, the dog should be given the chance to walk away from you without you having to pull him. If you catch your dog by surprise and he is not given the opportunity to go anywhere, gently push him away from you so that he backs away slowly. If he runs away, praise him and give him a pat. You can also try rubbing your arm up and down his back to train him to move away from you without pulling on the lead.
Try not to use any kind of choke collar when training your dog. When a dog pulls on a lead, the collar tightens on the dog’s neck causing pain and discomfort. A good alternative is a head halter which attaches to the top of the collar with a buckle or clip. This will give your dog freedom to move around while you keep him close to you.
The second way to train your dog not to pull on a lead is to stop dog pulling on leads using praise. Praise your dog for staying where he is and not pulling towards you. As he learns to stay where he is, he will learn not to pull. It takes practice to get to the point where your dog pulls with no resistance from you. Over time, you will become aware of when your dog pulls and correct him.
An excellent exercise to teach your dog not to pull is to take him for a walk and have him follow behind you without a loose leash walking side by side with you. Do not pull back towards him or give encouragement. After a few times, he may begin to understand that pulling on a lead is not acceptable.
An alternative to teaching your dog not to pull is to exercise the muscles that are located in his neck and shoulders. To exercise these muscles, try laying your hand on the back of your dog’s neck while he is walking. If you feel resistance, apply more pressure and hold for ten seconds. Repeat this several times until you no longer feel resistance.
You can also teach your dog to stop pulling by having him walk beside you in the beginning of walks. Have him walk next to you and then while he is still walking backwards, bring your arm down towards his back. This will force him to follow you without pulling. He will eventually learn not to pull whenever he feels like it. Be sure not to get hurt when doing this so be very careful.
The last method involves the use of a spray bottle or an attached spray head. Spraying the dog with the spray whenever you are walking can quickly train him not to pull. A good idea would be to do this before you even get out of the car. Then, you can simply aim the nozzle of the spray at his hindquarters and let the mist hit him. The mist will usually remind him that pulling is not acceptable. In addition, this spray can distract your dog from pulling and you can easily move forward again while your dog is distracted.
