Dog pulling your arm off on walks?

The best way to stop pulling on leash, is to prevent it from ever happening! The best way to stop pulling on leash if your dog is already doing it, is to prevent him getting any reinforcement from that pulling! We have some ideas to get you started, whether you have a puppy or an older dog who is pulling like a freight train at the end of your leash!

Dogs pull because pulling works...there is something they want to get to at the end of that pull, right? And chances are, he pulls you along, and gets to that thing he wants, right? Pulling works!

Start by setting up some new rules. Tension on the leash now means 'we stop, and go nowhere until you check in with me'. Don’t take one single step if your dog is pulling, not one step. Just wait for him to turn back to you cuz he'll want to know, 'Hey, why can't I go any further?' That simple turn will make his leash loose again. And, now you have something you can reinforce - a check in with you, and a loose leash!

You are teaching your dog that HE has a choice, if he wants to go ahead. The only thing that will work is a 'check in' and a loose leash!

Check out some more ideas to get you started on a new path of lessons around more relaxed, calm walks with you! Check in with us for more formal training on 'Enjoyable Walks', like adding a cued behaviour to your right and.or left side, which your dog can learn to position himself in when asked, and to stay in that position at your side, until he is released.