The tips to prevent the dog from pulling on the leash will depend on the specific case of each dog and it is not about a generalized problem or lack of education, it is, in most cases, a problem directly related to their well-being.
In this article on our site we will give you the key to finding good walking equipment (harness and leash) and we will also give you some advice and explanations about animal welfare and how the walk should be. a dog.
Stop worrying about leash pulls and awkward rides, read on to find out what to do:
The Right Team
To begin with, you should get a good kit before going outside so that neither you nor the dog can get hurt due to this situation.
The dog, when pulling on the leash, exerts tremendous pressure on the neck that can lead to eye complications such as glaucoma, especially in the case of young dogs. For this reason our first piece of advice is to buy a comfortable and suitable harness for him
If the dog pulls so much that you can't handle it, your only option will be to buy a anti-pulling harness, with it you will practically not notice that your dog is pulling you. In the image you can see the anti-pull harness. Find out how it should be placed at the chosen point of sale. The results will surprise you, guaranteed. In addition, they are perfect for training obedience and teaching him to walk alongside.
To avoid pain in your hands every time you pull hard, you should buy a strap with a padded band where you put your hand. Avoid extensible straps, too thin or made of hard materials. Once equipped and ready for the adventure, the key moment arrives: start working with the dog.
In the image we can see the anti-pulling harness:
Causes that make your dog pull on the leash
Below we explain some causes that can cause your dog to pull on the leash. It is very important that you identify them if you really want to solve this problem:
- The first thing that can make your dog pull on the leash is basically the excitement of going outside to socialize with other dogs and discover new tracks. It is totally normal and understandable for dogs to get excited when going for a walk. Generally they tend to shoot the first 10 or 15 minutes of the walk and then they relax.
- On the other hand, there are dogs that have stored energy that they just can't burn off. In these cases we must review the calories of the food it consumes and we must prepare ourselves to start exercising with our pet. It is very important that we comply with this requirement to avoid stress or anxiety in our dog.
- If our dog suffers severe stress or anxiety it is very important to offer him comfort during the walk (no pulling, letting him sniff, allowing him to exercise…). This type of dog needs extra time on walks and the use of anti-stress toys, in these cases, from animal expert, we recommend that you buy the Kong. Training should not be done with a dog that suffers from anxiety, it could get worse.
- Finally we can include in another group dogs that have some type of problem either of a psychological or symptomatic nature that can only be solved by going to the specialist.
How should the dog walk be?
The first 5 or 10 minutes of the walk are exclusively for relieving yourselfAt this time we should not interrupt the dog with orders nor should we try to make him "walk by our side", it is important that we let him urinate calmly and without pressure. After this time the dog will continue to urinate less frequently, at least for another 15 minutes.
After urinating, the ideal would be go to a pee-can or an area where the dog canrunning without being tied down This is one of the basic premises that any ethologist or canine educator will recommend. Obviously, dogs that run away without obeying should not be released in places without fences or protection.
After urinating and releasing the stored energy, the dog is ready to practice obedience, walk beside us or exercise with us.
Tips to promote tranquility and well-being on the walk
On many web pages we find various "tricks" to prevent the dog from pulling on the leash but we must be wary of those that suggest us to give strong pulls (they can cause eye and respiratory problems) or those that do not have no sense " Lead your dog on a short leash and stop, then change direction… " If they don't make sense to you, imagine for your dog.
Below we offer you a list of tips that will allow you to improve your dog's well-being so that he relaxes and walks are more pleasant and calm:
- Walk your dog at least 2-3 times a day.
- Let your dog smell the environment without limit during the walk so that he relaxes, even if he comes close to urinating if he is properly vaccinated nothing should happen to him
- Don't pull the leash, let him free.
- Find pipi-can areas where you can run.
- Practice exercise and sports with your dog.
- Don't scold him, practice positive reinforcement.
- Don't punish him, a stressed dog can worsen his behavior before punishment
- Offer love and support during this time.
- Try to make your walks calm and relaxed, take advantage of the first thing in the morning or the last thing at night.
It is also very important to point out that we must avoid some common mistakes during walks, as this also causes discomfort in the dog. Pulling too hard on the leash, not allowing sniffing, or offering rides that are too short are some examples.
Teach your dog to walk alongside you
To start working with the belt slackened we have to locate ourselves in a quiet place and without any distractions. We'll put the dog on his harness and leash and begin:
- Choose a word or sound to communicate to your dog that you want him to walk with you. Usually the word "together" is used, but you can use a sound with the tongue or any other word.
- Stand up with your dog, wait until he is calm, without tightening the leash. Then say "together" and give him a little piece of food (dog snacks or frankfurter for example). Immediately, and without giving your dog time to move away, repeat the word "together" again and give him another piece of food. Repeat this five to 10 times, the dog will start to match the word with the treat
- Start taking small steps from where you are, keep telling him "next" and reward him every time he comes to you
- Now it's time to start walking. She takes a treat and lets the dog sniff it without offering it (with a clenched fist). Guide him by drawing an imaginary line with the treat while saying "next, next, next…". Before he gets distracted say the release command "Okay!" and reward him with the treat.
- Keep practicing this procedure, each time with more and more distance. The idea is that the dog walks by your side following the food, watching you.
Practice this command for about 5 or 10 minutes a day, always without pressuring the dog and trying to get him to carry it out on his own initiative, don't try to force him. After the session you should allow the dog to run and play. Do not use the command together for other situations, you should only use it during the walk so that the dog associates it correctly.
Remember that pulling on the leash is not effective, on the contrary, it increases a dog's stress levels. A good canine educator or a responsible owner will always bet on teaching to walk alongside rather than pulling their dog on the leash.
Common problems when teaching to walk with you
1. The dog is very easily distracted
Train in a different place where there are no distractions of any kind. This exercise is difficult for dogs (especially adults) and you need to start in a very quiet place where you can control distractions.
Distractions can also happen if the treat you offer isn't powerful enough. Get yourself more appetizing food such as bits of frankfurt.
two. Your dog goes crazy when you go for a walk
Many dogs get excited when their owners grab the leash. This is the result of classical conditioning, as most dogs are very fond of going for walks.
Release several times during the day, at times when you are not going to walk your dog. Just grab the leash and keep it with you for a while, ignoring your dog's "crazy things."Then, return it to the usual place and repeat the procedure several times. This way you will extinguish your dog's behavior.
3. Your dog jumps and barks before you put him on the leash
The answer to the previous problem will help you with this problem. However, you should also make sure that you never put your dog on a leash if he is very excited. Before putting him on the leash, wait for him to calm down, even when you go to take him out for a walk. Do not put the leash on it while it is not controlled.
It can also be very useful to reward him when he is calm. We must always reinforce the behaviors that we like in the dog and try to avoid unnecessary punishment.
4. Your dog goes everywhere
There are many distractions in the training facility and your dog finds many focal points. Make sure the only thing that catches your dog's attention is the focal point you've chosen (you). If necessary, change your training location.
5. Your dog tightens the leash even though he is close to you
If you have a regulation leash of two meters, this is impossible. Perhaps you are holding too much leash in your hands. Give your dog a little more leash, so he doesn't feel trapped.
If you have a small breed dog (Chihuahua, Yorkshire terrier, etc.) or a puppy, you may find it easier if you get a slightly longer leash, say eight feet.
6. You can't walk your dog without it pulling on the leash
Your dog is still Not ready to walk without pulling on the leash. Don't expect him to walk perfectly down the street when he's still learning to walk in places without distractions. Keep practicing daily without getting overwhelmed, some dogs take longer to learn.
Go to a professional
If your dog is really stressed or doesn't seem to understand anything you teach him maybe you should think about going to a professional The educators canines, ethologists or trainers will propose tricks and appropriate guidelines for your case and will explain all the details you need to know about your dog.
Tips
