Training your dog not to pull is fairly simple. You just have to put in the work in order for them to learn.
I’ve put this in a list below to make it more simple…
Basic steps
To start, you’ll want to go on one of your regular walks together.
- When your dog immediately starts pulling or there’s tension on the leash, you stop walking.
- Wait until the leash has loosened up, or they look at you to figure out why you stopped.
- Give them a treat.
- Repeat. The key is repetition, so your dog learns that pulling is not okay.
- Whenever the leash is loose or they start to walk more by your side, reward them with a treat and/or praise. This helps them know that they’re doing something right; that they’re pleasing you.
The goal is to get them to pull less and less, and to have them walk when the leash is loose. This is also known as loose leash walking. If your dog is still pulling the same amount after a few practice walks, you might need to incorporate more steps in order for them to learn better. Here are some additional steps.
Additional steps
After you stop walking, tell them to sit for a few seconds, and then begin walking again. You can also be more verbal with your dog, so they look at you more often; this is a great way to try and teach them the ‘look’ command. When you want to be more verbal with them, you can also say ‘easy’ and/or ‘heel’. I’ve listed these commands in another article if you want to learn more. Make sure to reward them after trying these!
It may take your dog a while to learn loose leash walking, but with patience and consistency you and your dog will get there.