Dog Walking 101: How to stop your dog from pulling on leash

Taking your dog for a walk may seem simple, but doing it correctly can make a world of difference for both you and your furry friend. Let’s dive into the essentials of walking your dog properly, ensuring safety, enjoyment, and mutual respect.

1. Master Leash Control

The leash is more than just a restraint—it's a tool for communication and safety. By law, you’re required to use one in public spaces to maintain control. However, control goes beyond simply attaching a leash to your dog. Here are the basics:

• Training is Key: Begin leash training early. Teach your dog to respect the leash through consistent practices, like redirecting when they pull or stopping altogether until they return to you.

• Avoid Common Mistakes: Many dog owners hold the leash incorrectly, either letting their dog pull to the very end or wrapping the leash tightly around their hand. Wrapping the leash can put you in danger of injury if your dog pulls suddenly.

Correct Way to Hold a Leash:

• Insert your thumb through the loop and gather the slack.

• If the loop is large enough, slide your hand through it and then gather the slack.

These methods allow you to release the leash quickly if needed, ensuring your safety in unexpected situations.

2. Understand Why Dogs Pull

Dogs pull for various reasons:

• They move faster on four legs than we do on two.

• They’ve caught an enticing scent or are eager to reach a destination.

• Excitement about heading home or greeting another dog.

Unfortunately, our response to pulling—like tugging back—can worsen the problem, especially if your dog is wearing a rear-clip harness. Rear-clip harnesses encourage dogs to dig in and pull harder, leading to potential leash aggression. When dogs rear up in front of another dog, it can signal aggression and escalate tension.

The Solution:

Opt for a front-clip harness (e.g., EZ Walk). This type of harness redirects your dog toward you when they pull, minimizing rearing and aggressive interactions.

A dog wearing a no pull front clip harness. From Tom and Captain (not sponsored)

3. Structure Your Walks

A well-structured walk benefits both you and your dog. It provides mental stimulation, physical exercise, and strengthens your bond.

How to Structure Your Walk:

1. Start with Bathroom Time: Let your dog have free rein at the start to sniff and relieve themselves.

2. Walking Mode: Transition to focused walking where sniffing and stopping are not allowed. This helps burn energy and reinforces discipline.

3. Alternate Periods: Rotate between free-sniffing time and structured walking to meet your dog’s needs.

For example, during my walks (typically 45 minutes to an hour), I let my dogs sniff and explore for about 5–10 minutes. Then, I gather the leash slack for structured walking. After a stretch, I release the leash slightly to let them explore again. This routine keeps the walk balanced and enjoyable for both of us.

4. Key takeaways of how to stop your dog from pulling on leash

To summarize, here are the crucial points for a successful walk:

1. Never wrap the leash around your hand. Use your thumb or wrist loop and gather the slack for control and safety.

2. Use a front-clip harness to redirect heavy pullers and minimize leash aggression.

3. Avoid leash tension battles, which can lead to aggression or injury.

4. Understand why your dog pulls and address it with positive training.

5. Structure your walks to ensure both mental and physical stimulation.

By following these tips, you’ll transform your daily walks into a more enjoyable and harmonious experience for both you and your dog.

For more tips or to ask questions, feel free to connect with me on Instagram at @waggingwoofies, on Facebook, or via email at waggingwoofies1@gmail.com.

Until next time, keep those tails wagging and those leashes secure!

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