How can you train a 1yr old dog to walk by your side and not pull?

Answer 1

If your dog decides to run ahead, let him reach the end of the leash. At the moment of impact say "heel" in a cheerful, but authoritative voice and quickly make a complete U-turn to the right and walk briskly in that direction. Your dog will be startled and forcibly turned in the new direction, so praise him when he catches up to you. Repeat this procedure..

If you keep surprising him with frequent turn-abouts, he will soon learn to watch you and stay close..

while in training, don't walk in predictable patterns..take an unusual route, so he isn't thinking ahead of where you are going..

Keeping the collar high on his neck will give you much more control... Keep his head up, so he learns that he can't stop or lunge and sniff everything along the path..

don't allow him to pee just anywhere, but do stop frequently and give the permission.."OK, go pee"....When he does, say "Good boy..go pee"....and then move on.....You can use whatever phrase that is comfortable for you..such as the pros say, "park" instead of 'pee'......
Teaching this is especially helpful in bad wether, as they will soon 'pee' on command..so you can get back in quickly.

Answer 2

IMHO The single most important thing in teaching a dog to heel is how the lead is held in the persons hands.
With the dog on your left, the lead should go from the dogs collar (regardless of kind of collar) to the handlers left hand with slack between the dog and the handlers hand. The lead should then continue on to the handlers right hand which should be holding the loop at the end of the lead.
Whenever the lead becomes tight between the dog and the handlers left hand, the handler should drop the lead out of their left hand in order to restore some slack,,, then turn and go the other direction. The philosophy is that it is imposable to make a meaningful correction when the lead is tight, it must have slack in it when the correction is made in order for the dog to understand that it is it's responsibility to maintain slack in the lead when going for a walk. Maintaining slack in the lead is what we are trying to teach the dog so that it won't pull.

Answer 3

You could try several methods - this one makes your walk last longer --- ok, put dog on lead and walk with him by your side - when he/she pulls, turn immediately to the opposite direction. You will look a fool - but eventually the dog will realise! Also you can back this up with CLICKER training.

CLICKER training involves a small clicker avail from pet shops - and when the dog does something you want it to do you click, then reward with a treat. IE you start with SIT.... Just say it once wait till the action is done click and reward... Go on to DOWN, do the same - soon you can extend the distance between the click and the reward... We use SLEEPY for the DOWN position - you can use any word just always use the same one so not to confuse.
Do this over a few days - get dog used to hearing the click - he will soon want to please you - then you can go on to HEEL and when the dog is by your side looking up at you THAT IS IT... click and reward!.. Takes patience - it is worth getting a book. My Borris was trained this way - he still is a bit naughty but as soon as I get the clicker and treats he understands!

Oh.. and train them before they have eaten - use part of their ration of food as the treats. And only train for a few minutes a day!

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I don't believe in choke chains, what I did was every time the dog pulled I started to walk the other way, they get really bored with this and want to go for their walk, just start to say heel and pull gently on the lead. My dog still tries to pull but hates being made to turn around when I do this she then starts to walk by my side and I just keep reminding her to heel.

Answer 5

If you pull the dog it will pull you. So - pull dog hard once to your side whilst walking so the lead becomes loose again. If the dog pulls again, jerk back again whilst the dog is walking by your side. If the dog pulls again, jerk back again whilst walking by your side. Keep doing this and your dog will learn that if it pulls you will jerk the lead but if it walks with a loose lead no jerk will be received. It may take 6-7 times before it realises. Good luck

Answer 6

There is a good trainer lead which is used alongside your ordinary lead. This one goes around the dogs nose/face, so when he pulls, it turns his head to the side, which makes him stop because he can't see where he's going. He will soon learn that pulling makes this happen every time and eventually he will walk to heel.

Answer 7

Firts of all it depends on the breed of dog, Persaverance and patience are the keys. Walk with your dog on the lead and when he pulls away from u pull him back to your side, at the same time saying come to heal, , every time he pulls away keep doing this. Eventualy stars to prais them for this and give them a treat(pocket full of treats and let him/her know you have them).Keep at this till it works(depending how much work you put into it depends how quick theyll learn it) ounce there walking to heal on the lead try taking the lead out of the equasion and doing the same thing. Its worked with all my dogs and they are all working dogs, you need to show them who is boss, if you can not be ferm with them then your wasting your time. good luck Amended on wed 27 Reading what alot of people have said, you are wasting your time if you use a extendable lead .You want a cuer not a prevention

Answer 8

Get him to sit first. Start walking with the same foot always, the one by his side. Use the word "heel" each time he stays with you, give him a treat.
If he pulls then stop. Keep stopping each time he pulls. It takes time and patience. He will eventually learn not to pull because then he can't go anywhere.

Answer 9

Carry food in your hand as you walk if he walks ahead pull him back to your side gently with the command HEEL and give him a treat.

Slowly wean out the treat and just give him praise. Hopefully this will help - Im no expert but this is what I did!

Answer 10

You could change direction really quickly when your out walking with your dog, just turn round and go in the opposite direction, it totally confuses them and they stay at your side in case you do it again, it does take a few attempts but does work, good luck.