What should I do if my dog pulls on the leash during walks?

We asked dog trainer Tdog:

If your dog pulls on the leash during walks, here are some strategies you can adopt to correct this behavior:

 

1. Use a Biothane leash: This is much better for guiding the dog and making natural changes in direction to prevent them from pulling on the leash.

Teach "heel": Train your dog to walk by your side. Start with short sessions and gradually increase the duration.

 

Stop walking: When your dog starts to pull, stop immediately. Do not resume walking until they return to you or release the tension on the leash. This teaches them that pulling does not lead to moving forward.

 

Change direction: If your dog pulls in one direction, abruptly change direction. This will encourage them to pay attention to you and follow your movement.

 

Use rewards: Reward your dog with praise when they walk calmly by your side. This reinforces the desired behavior.

Practice positive reinforcement exercises: Train your dog on basic commands such as "sit," "stay," and "come." This improves overall obedience and can help reduce pulling.

 

Avoid distractions: At first, choose quiet places to practice leash walking. Once your dog improves, you can gradually introduce more stimulating environments.

 

Be patient and consistent: Behavior change can take time. Be patient and remain consistent in your training methods.