We’ve all been in the position where we’re trying to enjoy a nice, relaxing walk with our dog but they keep pulling on their leash – something even the most patient and easygoing pup parent can get frustrated by!
But what can you do to stop your dog from pulling on the leash, particularly when there are so many exciting distractions for them to try and run off toward?
Professional dog trainer and behavioral consultant Amelia Steele, or Amelia the Dog Trainer, has laid out three invaluable tips in a new Instagram post, so let’s take a look at how they might be able to help us.
“If your walks are starting to feel like a nightmare because your dog is dragging you everywhere, then I’m going to share three really simple changes that you can make on your everyday walks to improve your dog’s loose-leash walking,” Steele begins. They are, as follows:
1. Change how you deliver treats
“We always want to reward them next to us,” says Steele, so when training dogs with treats, reward your pup next to your leg. “If all the treats and rewards come from right in this position here, they’re much more likely to hang out with us, walk nicely, and pay attention,” she adds. Feed with the hand that’s on the side your dog is walking on, too.
Here’s more info about dog treat delivery methods.
2. Make sure you have the right leash
Steele recommends a long, fixed-length leash rather than a tight, restrictive one as it can make walking uncomfortable for them.
“The same goes for a retractable leash,” she explains, “If there is always tension on the lead, it’s difficult for your dog to distinguish when they’re walking nicely and getting rewards, and when they’re pulling.”
The right leash should give your dog plenty of freedom to enjoy the environment around them.
3. Take treats or other rewards on every walk
“I’m just using dry food and all we want to do is reward every time my dog chooses to look at us or check in, and that goes for on or off the lead,” says Steele. In her video, her dog is far away but is looking at her – she can mark ‘yes’ and give him a treat.
If you’re struggling with leash pulling due to reactivity, you might find this article useful: My dog’s leash pulling made walks miserable until I helped her reactivity, here’s how.
