We all love to walk our dogs, and it can sometimes be a therapeutic experience to bring them around parks or even bringing them for a scenic hiking trip. But one caveat that most dog owners might not understand is that if the dog is not in your control, then it is very likely that the dog will pull you even when they are on the leash. While some people might think of it to be a funny scene, it isn’t funny if the dog gets into danger’s path when they pull on the lead. For example, it is possible that the dog run into traffic when it starts to chase after the random object or animal that it sees on the streets. Or the dog might decide that it is fun to chase after a squirrel that has squirreled along its path, and the dog ends up jumping into a pool of water or worst still into a thorny patch of grass!
Why do dogs like to pull
The above scenarios might appear far fetched to many, but it is indeed a plausible scenario. So, if your dog is constantly pulling on the lead when you are out with them, then it might be a cause for concern. But while it is a cause for concern, it will be beneficial for you to understand why would dogs pull without any reason at all. By understanding the whys, it will then empower you with enough knowledge to tackle the issue.
- It is innate to them
You see, dogs pull simply because it is ingrained into their DNA that they can go wherever they want to go. When they are in the wild, you can expect that the dogs will simply roam freely without restraint. The pulling action brings them to where they want to be, which is forward. So if the dog is pulling ahead of you, it simply means that they want to move forward! It is a natural behavior.
- Natural for dogs to reject
It is the dog’s natural behavior for them to reject any form of restraint that is being imposed onto them, hence when the dog pulls on the leash, they are simply opposing the notion of being trapped.
- There’s something more interesting in front of them
Dogs are curious by nature. So when the dog starts to forage forward, it is highly likely that there is something that is much more interesting. It can be a squirrel or even a random dog that run past it. You can’t really blame the dog for this as it is ingrained into their DNA!
So, how do we stop your dog pulling on the lead
As you can see, dogs love to pull away simply because of their natural instincts more than anything else. It is hardly a behavioural issue, unless the dog have been brought up to pull on the lead, which is highly impossible.
Now that we understand the dog’s natural instincts to move forward, it will better equip us with the knowledge to stop the dog. There are a few ways at which you can stop the dog from pulling on the lead. Read on to find out more!
Training the dog
The best and most cost-efficient way to stop the dog from pulling on the lead is by training them to respect commands as well as to train them to understand your signals. First of all, you should ensure that the dog is comfortable walking by your side. If need be, bring along a couple of their favourite treats so that you can reward the dog for its good behaviour. Also, for starters, choose a place that is free from distractions as it will allow the dog to be fully focussed on the training.
Once you are in position, move forward and allow the leash to be slack. In the event that the dog pulls away, you will need to stand firm and just stop moving altogether. You should move only when the dog stops pulling, and the leash becomes slack again. While this may take some time, you will need to be aware to be consistent and not given in to temptation to pull the dog back. As soon as the dog returns to you, reward it with a treat and carry on moving forward.
Eventually, the dog will start to understand that is should not be pulling away!
- Buy a no pull harness
There are certain harnesses that are specially designed to stop the dog from pulling. Commonly termed as the no-pull harness, the mechanism and design of the harness means that the dog’s movement will be constricted when it tries to pull away from you. While this is an effective tool to use, it can be rendered useless if the dog decides to struggle and continues barging forward, essentially causing hurt to itself.
- Commanding the dog to stop
One good way to stop the dog from pulling on the lead is by using your voice to get the dog’s attention, especially when it is running forward. Try to use a higher pitched voice as it will most probably get the dog’s attention. It will take a few attempts at this, but eventually the dog will stop pulling and will come back by your side.
- Using treats to lure the dog
This is perhaps my lest favourite method, but a method that works nonetheless. You can have a handful of treats in your hand and allow it to be the motivating factor to get the dog to stay beside you while you are out walking them.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are various methods that you can use to stop the dog from pulling. Whichever method you choose is completely up to your prerogative. What is more important here is that you are consistent in your training methods so that the dog will not be confused by your signals. For starters, if you are intending to train the dog to follow your lead, you should use a body harness than a collar so that your dog will not be injured while they pulled on the lead.