How To Stop A Dog From Pulling

HOW TO STOP A DOG FROM PULLING – IS WALKING A STRUGGLE WITH YOUR DOG?

​If you’re not sure how to stop a dog from pulling on the lead while out for a walk then take a look at this Doggy Dan video where he talks about the basic principle and underlying reason why your dog does what he does.

The main behavioural issue most people seem to be struggling with, is when they are outside, in that they loose control and the dog either pulls on the lead, gets over-excited, barks at moving objects like cars, runners and bikes, or runs away when they are let off the lead, or indeed any combination of these…  

Things seem to be generally okay inside, but outside it's a different matter – I know I used to find that with Oscar… perfect at training inside, but outside, he was a law unto himself!

Learn how to stop a dog from pulling with just 1 thing!

What people need to know (as I did) is that any behaviour where they don’t listen to you and do their own thing, is not because they are ‘naughty’, it’s because they truly believe they are the pack-leader, are in charge, and will do what they see fit, paying no regard to you, because you are lower than them in the pecking order.

Being in charge, they decide what is a danger and what is not, and of course, they can make mistakes, like when they might be aggressive to other dogs they see as a threat.

So, in order to remain in control, you must remain the pack-leader and this starts inside the home before you even step foot through the front door.  Your dog must be calm before leaving, without barking, jumping or pressuring you to go out: this is crucial when learning how to stop a dog from pulling, as once outside, the behaviour is intensified.

If he’s at a level 5 (out of 10) when you bring the lead out, jumping around, enthusiastically, then he will be at a level 6 when you attach it, a 7 as he pulls you to the door, 8 through it, 9 by the time he’s down the path and eventually at a high of 10 once outside into ‘freedom’ with all the exciting things to distract him!  At that stage, there is little hope of getting his attention back and responding to your commands.

And that’s no good, as it will only serve to frustrate and agitate you the more he ‘doesn’t listen to you’, which will, in turn, back up everything your dog feels to start with (agitated and on the lookout for danger) which creates the proverbial circle.

Simple tips on how to stop a dog form pulling:

Follow these tips – be sure to leave plenty of time to do this right on your first attempt:

• Bring the lead out and wait for your dog to be calm.  If they are leaping around, yapping, or even pacing excitedly, then stand still and wait, and wait and wait, until they are still
• Attach the lead to their collar – again, if they start making a fuss, then stand still and wait; no shouting, no verbal commands, just wait and if they persist, then take off the lead, hang it up and walk away for 5 minutes, then repeat the first two steps
• Once you have the lead on and your dog is calm and not pulling then walk to the front door.  Make them sit before opening it, as silently as you can, and walk calmly through it

For more tips on how to stop a dog from pulling on a lead, including the stop-start technique, have a look at Doggy Dan’s site.  I have personally used his site and his ‘No Force, No Fear’ techniques and I can’t recommend them enough.

Happy training!