How to Stop Your Dog From Pulling on the Leash #DogTraining #LeashTraining #heel #Labrador, by Vanessa | Dog Trainer on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Choose which side your dog will walk on, left or right, and keep it the same on every walk so he always knows where to be.
Clip the leash to a flat collar or harness and load your pocket or pouch with small, smelly treats he does not get at other times.
Start somewhere quiet with few dogs, people or smells. Practise there before you try a busy street.
Walk forward. The moment the leash goes tight, stop moving and stand still. Do not pull or yank him back.
Wait. When your dog turns and comes back beside you so the leash hangs loose, praise him, give a treat and walk on.
Reward the good choice too. When he stays beside you with slack in the leash on his own, mark it with a word like yes and pay him.
If he keeps pulling and will not check in, turn and walk the other way for a few steps. Forward motion only happens on a loose leash.
Let him sniff and explore as a reward, but only once the leash is slack. Tight leash means the walk pauses.
Keep sessions to 5 or 10 minutes and add distractions slowly over a few weeks. End each session on a good loose-leash stretch.
Tips and common mistakes
Never jerk or yank the leash. Stopping your feet is the whole correction.
Use treats he only gets on walks so they beat the smell of the lamp post.
Avoid retractable leads during training. They teach a dog that pulling gets him further.
Skip choke and prong collars. A flat collar or well-fitted harness is safer for the neck.
Questions
How long does loose leash walking take to learn?
Most dogs need a few weeks of short daily sessions. Expect it to fall apart around other dogs or squirrels at first, then improve with practice.
Does a loose leash mean my dog has to heel perfectly?
No. He can sniff and wander a little as long as the leash stays slack. The goal is a walk you both enjoy, not a robot heel.
What if my dog pulls toward another dog?
Increase the distance until he can stay loose, reward him for looking back at you, and walk away if he locks on. Practise at that distance before moving closer.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
