One of the most common complaints of dog owners is a leash. We all dream of the day our dog can walk perfectly—no yanking, no leashes wrapped around strangers’ legs, and no tug-of-war brawls on the sidewalk… As frustrating as this behavior may be, it helps to remember that walks are usually the most interesting time of the day for the dog. They are naturally curious to explore all new smells and people, but it can be difficult to know how to keep that excitement under control. So, take a look at our tips to learn how to keep your dog from getting stung by fleas!
Beagle dog pulling on leash
1. Use positive reinforcement techniques
Almost all vets agree that positive improvement training gives you the best results when you are training your dog. Positive reinforcement necessarily involves rewarding the good behavior you want to see (your dog is calmly walking next to you), rather than punishing the negative behavior you don’t want (leash-licking).
Whenever your dog shows good behavior on a walk, praise him immediately and give him a treat. In this way, he will have a comfortable walking link with the pleasant prize.
2. Dont go back.
One of the biggest mistakes when dealing with petting is responding by pulling your dog back to you. This really teaches your dog to pull hard, due to something known as anti-reflection.
When pulled in one direction, the body’s natural response is to lean or pull in the opposite direction to stay in balance. So when an owner pulls on the chain, the dog pulls hard in the other direction to maintain its balance. It certainly isn’t what you want.
3. Be silent.
When your dog starts to pull, stop and shut up. Just keep your head up and keep your back straight.
In the end, your child will have to look up to you. Praise him and reward him with a treat, then proceed on your journey. If it starts to leak, repeat the process. You won’t go far on this walk, but consider it a training session rather than a walk for exercise purposes.
If your dog doesn’t look back at you or stop pulling, you can break it further; praise when the chain dries up a little too. And if he’s still in the Middle, try to make a little noise to get his attention. At the end of the day, your child needs to have the right mindset.
4. Mix and enjoy!
Give your dog a reason to pay more attention to your movements by being unhelpful. Stop and change direction, and when your dog turns to hold back, reward him.
You can turn it into a game — when your dog runs towards you, use a super-excited voice, praise him a lot, and make it fun for him to follow you.
5. Be calm and steady.
When it comes to eliminating leash-throwing, being consistent is really important. Try to let your dog walk only when the net is dry to really incorporate the new habit.
It can take a long time for your dog to be able to walk peacefully over long distances; some people report that it can take up to a week for half a block to be successfully walked. So be as patient as possible, and if some areas are too distracting for your dog, avoid them until she becomes some success with loose-leash walking.
When it comes to eliminating leash-throwing, being consistent is really important. Try to let your dog walk only when the net is dry to really incorporate the new habit.
6. Give your dog time to become just a dog.
Dogs need time and space to do all the “dog things” they want to do on a walk, such as sniff well and relieve themselves. You can control when it is time to make a decision.
Give your dog a signal, say “go sniff,” and give him a few minutes to become a dog. Then again signal when he needs to start paying attention and start walking up to you again: “come on.”
After getting some doggy urges from his system, he should be a little calmer and be able to walk the best way you have.
7. Consultation with a dog trainer.
Some dogs naturally struggle to learn better walking habits than others, so if you still have problems after weeks of training efforts, don’t hesitate to contact a dog trainer. Depending on their years of experience with each type of dog, they will be able to make the walk more pleasant for both you and your dog.
Are there any special rules for the use of the holy grail?
Yes! There are many collars and harnesses that are specifically designed to help with leash-throwing.
Head halters (a popular type is the “Gentle Leader” halter) are collars that fit around your dog’s nose and are attached to a chain under the chin. When your dog pulls, his head is turned back towards you, discouraging him from pulling.
Similarly, chest-led or front-attachment harnesses can be useful. They are harnesses that attach to the chain on the chest rather than the dog’s back, so they automatically turn the dog back in front of you when the pull begins.
Keep in mind that while these types of tools can help prevent shackling, they are not a substitute for good training. It is also important that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that they are used correctly, as they can be dangerous for your dog if used incorrectly.
If your dog leans too hard, we recommend using a harness, as the leash attached to the neck collar can increase the risk of injury to the neck. In general, watch out for coughing or choking when your dog pulls, as this is a sign that they may injure themselves.
Finally, we strongly recommend that you never use Chuck chains, prong collars, or electronic collars. They cause your dog pain and discomfort, and they are not an effective way to teach new behaviors.
Breaking a leash can be a difficult behavior, but with patience and consistency, most dogs can learn to walk with you instinctively.