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How to stop a dog pulling on the leash

Dogs pull because it works: pulling gets them to the smell faster. Loose-leash walking flips that. A slack leash moves forward; a tight one goes nowhere.

  1. Start indoors, with treats at your side

    Reward your dog for standing next to your leg before you take a single step.

  2. One step, reward by your leg

    Then two steps, then five. Feed where you want your dog to be, not out in front.

  3. Leash goes tight: stop

    Stand still and stay quiet. The moment the leash slackens, mark it and walk on.

  4. Let sniffing be the reward

    Walk calmly to the lamp post, then say 'Go sniff'. The thing they pulled for becomes the prize for not pulling.

  5. Keep a calm, slow pace

    Rushing the walk winds your dog up. Short, calm practice walks beat one long tug of war.

By breed group. Northern breeds were bred to pull and need more patience and a well-fitted harness. Scent hounds follow their nose: build in plenty of sniff breaks.

Avoid choke, prong and shock collars. They suppress pulling through pain and can make dogs fearful or reactive.

Sitspark has a whole class on loose-leash walking, with levels for distance and distraction. The first class and the first lesson of every class are free, with no account.

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