While exercise is important in tiring your dog out, you can still have an out of control dog.
You can also have a dog who hasn’t exercise, but sill doesn’t pull you across the yard when you first let them out the door.
Why?
Ill explain in this article. Ill explain why even when you ran 5 milles with your dog, they still pull on the leash.
Ill also explain how to teach them how to walk politely on a leash.
The walk is the most important part of your day with your dog.
You are probably at work all day and want a relaxed walk.
The only issue is that your dog has been sleeping when you get home and is now filled with so much energy.
You open your crate door and your dog zooms out.
Next, your dog runs around in circles while you struggle to put their leash on.
Then you almost fall because your dog is racing outside.
Your arm is in pain as you wrap the leash around your hand to get a better grip and hopefully more control.
But the only thing this does is cut off the circulation to your hand.
You dog is sniffing the ground and marking every patch of grass or fire hydrant they see.
Your shoulder is in pain and you just want the walk to be over.
So you start going for shorter and shorter walks until you no longer go outside.
Now I know I’m being dramatic for some people, but I have actually seen cases like this.
It doesn’t matter if your situation is similar to the above or its not as bad.
Everybody wants a dog that can walk on the leash properly.
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Some things dog owners do wrong
Now there are 4 primary ones and also many others, but lets talk about the primary ones.
Allowing their dog to ignore them
This is not done on purpose. But most dog owners have not taught their dog to pay attention to them. Their dog is checking out the other dogs, the grass, the kids playing in the schoolyard. They are checking out everything and everybody except for you.
Using a harness
A harness is used for pulling. In protection we use it to build drive. Its also used by sled dogs to do what………. PULL!!!!
Using a flat buckle collar
Usually your dog will pull and keep pulling even when they are choking themselves. Most dog owner think these collars are safe, but they can actually lead to a dog getting choked out. Not a pleasant site.
Get their dog excited before the walk
If you start squeaking toys and saying things like “ Are you ready to go outside” in an excited tone, you dog is more likely to pull. Calm it down.
NO Talking!
NO Eye contact!
NO Touching!
Tools to use
Prong collar
I Know these look barbaric and torturous, but they are not. They are the safest to not choke your dog out while also being gentle in guiding your dog
How to get your dog to stop pulling on the leash
1. First thing you must do is realize that the walk starts before you leave your house.
You must become relevant in your house with your dog before you go outside.
If your dog can’t pay attention to you in the house then outside they will never listen with all of the distractions. Distractions like the leaves blowing, a bird chirping, a skateboarder is skating by, or even another dog 100 feet away can make walking unpleasant.
Become the “go to” person for all of your dog’s decisions. You must become strict on this at first. Once your dog understands the rules then you can ease up. Use calm energy. Less talking and more showing your dog where you want them to go.
“Calmness is key”
2.Next you should fit you dog with a prong collar.
If you have a big dog you will use the 3.0 millimeters. Medium sized dog you will most likely use the 2.25 millimeters.
You can also get extra links in case your dog’s neck is wider.
Now we get to doing the walk.
3.You should do what is known as a structured walk.
This walk is pure focus for your dog.
I use the 80/20 rule for this. This means that 80% of the time your dog is focused by your side, head up, and looking straight ahead.
There is no sniffing until we stop and allow the dog to go. This is that 20%.
Otherwise there is no pulling ahead.
Remember above we talked about being relevant. Well part of that is putting some rules in place. Being responsible for choices the dog makes.
4.The final thing you must do is teach your dog leash pressure.
Your dog has to know how to give in to the leash.
Most dogs pull backwards when you try to pull them forward.
This is a natural reaction for your dog called an oppositional reflex. You have to teach your dog that it is better to give in to the leash. This is how it is possible to walk your dog with just two fingers.
Try this out and let me know how you did.
Do the foundational work then tackle these 4 areas and you are well on your way.
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