How can I get my dog to stop pulling so hard on his leash?

Question

When I walk him, he pulls so hard and is in such a hurry. I know he's just excited, but are there any ways to get him to slow down a little?

Answer 1

Teach your dog to "heel". Practice at first at home, have a treat in your hand, and pat the side of your leg, and tell your dog to heel. When he sits next to you, give him a treat. Start walking, and put another treat in your hand, on your side, and have your dog walk next to you, and say "Heel." If your dog listens, give him the treat. He'll start associating walking next to you with treats and praise. After a while, you can wean the treats and he'll get used to walking next to you. I think another good way to keep him next to you is a 24'' leash and a harness.

Answer 2

Seriously, this is true- not just my opinion. If you stand in one place and everytime he pulls on his leash, you jerk him back to you, he will learn that he shouldn't do that. They also have something called a halti (it kinda works like a halter on a horse) the leash attaches to a ring thats under their muzzle so they cannot pull without it turning their head back towards you. It will annoy him at first becasue he won't be used to it being on his face.

I recommend just training him to walk beside you by correcting him when he pulls like I mentioned before. Don't be angry about it , just correct him. Remember you are teaching, not punishing. He doesn't know what he is doing is an undesirable behavior.

I taught my golden retriever in a matter of 2 or 3 days. He hit the ground a few times when I pulled him back to me (and when I say pull- I really mean jerk- a sudden movement). but he learned very quickly and didn't hurt him. I used his regular collar and leash. I would not recommend "pinch" collars- a lot of vets have dug those out of dogs necks. However if you are educated how to put it on (becasue there is a certain direction it needs to face before putting it over the head) and how to use it , than a "choke chain collar" can be a good training tool. However do not leave tis on your dog. Only use it when he is in your sight. Dogs have been known to get caught on things (including each other while playing) and choke themselves.

I hope this helps. I'm sure that you could look up dog training or contact a local trainer if you need. There are places you can send your dog for training and they ill teach them everything fom heeling (walking beside you) to sitting, laying, and coming.

Answer 3

Yes there is, example put on a collar and leash, and show him. Don't pull on it when you are walking. speak to know one unless they speak to you 1st. Treat every child as if they are the only one in the world, and you are always happy to see them. Only eat when fed, not to mention the bathroom. Only get a bath once a week, month or so. And never leave the small apartment for more then 1/2 hour at a time. And see if you can behave.

Answer 4

Try a gentle leader. You can buy them at Petco or any other animal store. It goes around the snout and around the neck, so when a dog pulls, it puts pressure on the nose and the back of the neck at the same time, which sends conflicting messages to the dog, and they stop. We have used one for our puppy since the beginning, and she does really well with it. It took her a few walks to get used to it, but once she did, it was no problem. Also, hold him right by your side (shorten the leash) to teach him to heel. Praise him profusely and say "good heel"...eventually he'll learn that heel is what will get him the praise. Good luck!

Answer 5

Even though some people call them barbaric, a "choke chain" (more apropriately called a pinch-collar) really does the trick, because the dog IMEDIATELY notices the diference and in just a few weeks yuou will notice a major difference. A good way to train as far as walking goes, and they don't really hurt as bad as people think, because it is the dog's own weight and action that puts the tension on the neck. They learn quickly that to make the feeling stop they must walk slower!!

Answer 6

I have a dog that pulls on her leash as well. What really works is a "Gentle Leader". Its a strap that goes around their nose and clips behind their ears. You attach the dogs leash to the gentle leader instead of the collar. Its not harmful or pain full to the dog at all, it aplies pressure above their nose causing them not to pull as much. I have one and it works very well.

Answer 7

What I do is start walking. When She starts pulling I jerk firmly on her leash, and stop. I make her sit and wait on me. I start walking again and I keep doing this for the entire walk. Before long your dog will get the idea and stay with you and won't pull. Good luck

Answer 8

First of all, there are two possible reasons he is pulling so hard; either you are waiting too long before taking him out to p** or he is just trying to out rank you. Top Dogs lead. You must re-establish that you are Alpha Leader not him. Be sure always eat before you feed him and do not let him lead going through doorways or anywhere else. The "Dog Whisperer" show is good to watch. Using a "Halti" helped 5ft/110lbs me with our 75 lbs german shepard

Answer 9

You could get a choke chain--which I know sounds terrible, but really--and when the dog wants to go one way tell him no and keep walking in your direction. If he doesn't stop then say no firmer and yank sharply on the lead. If that doesn't do the trick then say no one more time and walk in the other direction.....

Answer 10

When you walk him keep his leash very short and keep him right by yourside,(make sure to bring a couple of treats along but don't let him know it) and when he starts to pull just gently pull him back to yourside and sternly say no, when he starts to stay at yourside for a little bit give him a treat, keep doing this til' he learns. Don't give him too many treats though, he may always expect them if you give him too many.