So your dog pulls the leash. A lot. You’re not alone! Let’s talk about why it happens, and what you can do about it.
Spring is in full swing, and everyone wants to get back out on walks with their dogs to enjoy the beautiful weather. However, with spring comes lots of new and exciting smells as well as more people than in the cooler months. During this time, a lot of owners find that with the added distractions, it feels like their dog pulls the leash like it’s her job. You are not alone if you are feeling this way, and it is much easier than you think to get your dog back on track. Starting off slow, rewarding for good behavior, and being consistent will help ensure you are successful when going out on walks. Here’s how:
Starting off slow:
If you expose your dog to too many distractions right off the bat, there is a good chance you both will get frustrated, making the walk unenjoyable for you both. Instead of just heading out on your walk, go back to the basics and practice driveway drills (demonstrated in our video here). To practice these, you are going to walk back and forth in a low distraction environment (like your driveway). Any time your dog gets out ahead of you or is pulling, you want to turn and head in the opposite direction. This reminds your dog she needs to focus on you to move forward. Once your dog shows she can stay focused on you and not your surroundings, you can start your walk. Start off with short walks around the neighborhood and slowly add in more distance as you both feel ready.
Rewarding good behavior:
Grab that treat pouch back out of the drawer and load it up with your dog’s favorite snack or meal. You want to go back to rewarding your dog for the behavior you want to remind her that good things come from you when she listens. When your dog chooses to stay focused on you rather than the distractions around, give her a treat to remind her this is the behavior you are looking for. If your dog pulls the leash, she doesn’t get a treat. She’ll start to work harder to earn that treat!
Consistency:
It is important that you are consistent with what your expectations are for your walks. If you sometimes let your dog pull and other times expect her to be in a strict heel, it is going to be confusing for her on what your walks are supposed to look like. Staying consistent with her will help ensure she gets back into the swing of things sooner rather than later. A good way to let your dog get their springtime wiggles out is allowing her the chance to sniff and potty before you start.
Walks should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. If you find that either of you are getting frustrated, take a deep breath and go back to the basics. Remember to take it slow, reward for good behavior, and be consistent. Your dog will remember those good habits she had in no time and you will both be back on your fun adventures together soon.