4 Easy Ways to Stop Leash Pulling in Dogs in Under an Hour
Why do dogs pull the leash when you walk them? Well, who likes being tethered to someone and being told where to go all the time? Some dogs may let you put a leash on them but being free from such restraint is almost always preferable to being tied up.
Why Does My Dog Hate the Leash?
There are many reasons why your dog may hate their leash.
1. Negative Feelings
Dogs attach memories and meaning to smells, people, and items. If your dog has previously associated the leash with something negative, they could fear it. They could be upset with it. Using a leash could make them anxious, and thus they'd keep pulling to getaway.
2. Fear of the Unknown
Sometimes, it's not previous experiences but the lack thereof that may be triggering the leash pulling. For example, if your pup has never seen or used a leash before, they may not know what to expect and will try to get away. The same could be said for an older dog that's never been leashed before.
3. Control Issues
Finally, your dog could just really hate not having the freedom to go where they want. Therefore, they'll pull on the leash to direct you where they wish to be. They might also pull when they want to connect to the environment or people and animals for longer or when they feel you're moving too slow during the walk. Leash pulling then is their simple way of getting what they want.
Unfortunately, if your pet has gotten used to leash pulling behavior, it's not something you can just hope goes away. It's a behavior that needs to be corrected.
How Can I Stop My Dog from Pulling the Leash?
When walks have become an exercise in a tug of war, you can't help but ask. So how can I stop my dog from pulling its leash?
Unlearning things is often more difficult than learning them in the first place. This is true in both people and dogs. It doesn't mean that you'll have to suffer through leash pulling, though. It may require a lot of encouragement, time, and effort, but you can teach your dog to stop pulling.
There are many different methods you can use. It would be best always to remember that not all might work for your pet. But with patience and consistent effort, training them to stop pulling on the leash is possible.
Four Easy Ways to Stop Leash Pulling in Dogs
Leash pulling in dogs can be corrected. These methods are straightforward and easy. Done correctly and consistently, you may even get rid of dog pulling behavior in under an hour.
1. Stopping
When your dog begins to pull the leash, stop for a while. Observe if they will stop too. This way, you are teaching your dog that every time he pulls the leash, signals you to stop walking or pause for a while.
In this dog training method, you stop walking and then wait until your dog sits and stops, too. Reward them when they do so they can easily remember what behavior gets the treats. This trick will prevent them from pulling the leash.
2. Use a Prong Collar
A prong collar may look intimidating to most. But used correctly, it is a safe and effective tool. When out walking and your dog begins to pull and stray, applying gentle pressure on the lead attached to the collar will tell them to stop. It can help tremendously in preventing your dog from pulling its leash.
A few things to remember before training with a prong collar:
- Always make sure that the prong collar fits your dog correctly.
- Get your dog comfortable with training before introducing the collar. A new sensation may distract the dog from learning the correct behavior. So, ease them into it instead of using all your tricks at once.
As always, when it comes to dog training, rewarding your pet's participation will let them remember the behavior faster. It also helps them associate the learning session with something good.
3. Use an E Collar
Another tool you can use to help with correcting leash pulling is an e-collar. E collars, also known as dog shock collars, remote trainers, or remote training collars, are very useful in fostering communication with your canine companions. They also have the advantage of sending a correction only when needed and at longer distances. So, when your dog starts to weave and sniff and pull, you can simply trigger a quick static or vibration to get their attention and get them back on track.
Some of the best dog training e collars you can use for this are:
Educator collars are some of the best remote training collars in the market. It's a favorite among trainers and pet owners alike. The Mini Educator ET-300 is feature-packed, and finding the right combo to train your dog has never been easier.
The ET-300 Mini Educator by E-Collar Technologies has a ½-mile range, 1-100 user-selectable levels of wide pulse stimulation, and up to 60 levels additional boost. The small receiver is waterproof, and the collar has a LED light feature for night visibility, suitable for dogs 8 pounds and up.
Bonus points if you want some individuality – the Mini Educator e collar also comes in a black version and an Educator Zen 300 version. You can even purchase different colored skins for it.
The ET-400 Educator includes a wide range of features and stimulations like its mini version. This has 100 selectable levels of static stimulation and up to 60 levels of boost. With the "Lock and Set" safety feature, you can also control accidental shocks.
Training even the most stubborn breed of dogs is easy with the Easy Educator EZ-900 remote training e collar. The EZ-900 remote trainer has a ½-mile range, 100 levels of static stimulation, five (5) stimulation modes, seven (7) vibration levels, is fully waterproof, and includes four (4) types of tone with volume control. This will fit dogs 8 pounds and larger.
4. Figure 8's
Finally, you can use the figure 8 training method to stop the leash-pulling. The goal of the figure 8 method is to introduce changes as you walk your dog. This distracts them from straying or sniffing and forces their attention back to you.
Start by walking in one direction. Before your dog even has a chance to pull (or even when they already are), change directions. Then, turn around and go back in the opposite direction. As you do, you can call your dog's name to get them used to your voice and encourage them to engage with you.
Once your dog turns when they hear your voice, lavish them with praise or give a treat to let them know they've done right. If your dog is not listening and still pulling away even when you call their name, apply a bit of lead pressure to get them to follow. Keep doing this for a few minutes. Don't forget to foster eye contact so you keep your dog engaged with you.
When your dog is not paying attention during the walk and pulling you everywhere, they do not get a productive walk. A walk is more than just physical exercise. It's about getting mental stimulation, too. It's about focus, engagement, and building a relationship with you. Leash pulling is not just a challenge to both owner and pet physically. It's also a deterrent towards developing healthy interactions.
Thankfully, leash pulling behavior can be corrected with the right tools and attitude. Good luck!
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Posted in
Dog Training, E-Collar Info & Guides, Obedience Training
