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Pet Tip
From Trainer and Pawtropolis Owner Amanda Rodriguez

Teaching Your Dog to not pull on the leash:

As Tina Van Why, Clicker Class instructor for Pawtropolis, states, “Dogs aren’t born knowing how to pull on the leash, they are actually taught to.” So, have you taught your dog to pull on the leash?

Puppies instinctually follow their mother. She is their pack leader. Even within a large pack of dogs the tendency is for the majority of the pack to follow behind one lead dog (huskies for example.) What happens when people walk their dog is that they allow the dog to be the leader. This actually sets precedence throughout other areas of your's and your dog’s relationship.

When a dog pulls on the leash and you follow behind, as long as they are allowed to continue forward, then they are being rewarded for the bad behavior; i.e., pulling on the leash. You have to not allow for them to get the reward, which in this case is getting to go where they want to. How do you do this? Most importantly: From this point on NEVER allow your dog to pull on the leash. Sounds simple? It is. Try some of the following techniques:

1. Go the other direction. If your dog is pulling to the left; stop, and head towards the right. If your dog is pulling forward; stop, and head backwards. At first your walks will only be in front of the driveway, back and forth. Don’t be discouraged, your dog is still getting exercise and is using her brain, which burns more calories as well. Most importantly, this prevents her from getting to go in the direction that she wants.

2. Stop. That’s right, simply stop. When you start, if your dog starts pulling again. Stop. Your dog has to figure out what behavior can elicit getting to walk again. She is learning on her own not to pull.

3. Use a corrective device. The misconception with choke chain and prong collars is that they work as soon as you put them on the dog. But any dog owner will know that a dog will still continue to pull even to the point of coughing and turning red. You have to learn to appropriately use the training collar. A qualified obedience instructor can show you how to properly and effectively use a training collar and see quick and easy results. A training class or private lesson with an instructor from Pawtropolis is essential.

4. Do not use a harness. I hear it everyday. An owner will put a harness on their dog because, “They pull so hard the collar is hurting their neck.” Or the owner may believe the harness will prevent pulling. Two points: First, a dog will not continue to do something if it is causing undue/intolerable pain. So if they keep pulling on the leash, it isn’t your responsibility to be afraid that they may hurt their throat. They recognize their own pain threshold. So don’t be discouraged to use a regular collar because of this. Also, harnesses are used for huskies to pull sleds. It actually encourages the dogs to be able to use their full weight to pull the leash. Exactly what you don’t want.

5. Use a Gentle Leader: A Gentle Leader is a newer product from Premier Pet Products. It looks like a harness worn on the muzzle of the dog. It allows you to be able to control the dog’s head. Dog have less strength to pull in just their heads, so this device allows for greater control with less work on the owners. The success of this device lies in getting your dog used to wearing it, which can easily be done with treats and praise.

6. Clicker Training: The clicker classes available at Pawtropolis teaches the dogs to focus on your hand as a target. The dog will use this skill to target your hand as you walk and not forge ahead. This takes a bit longer, but uses all positive reinforcement.

The main point to remember is that you have to be the pack leader. You have to walk and act like the leader. Stand tall and confident, looking in the direction you are heading, walk with a purpose and except nothing less than a dog that walks nicely by your side.

There is even a website made especially for Athens Dog news: