The Only Solution Is Training
Leash pulling doesn't seem to be such a big problem until you try to walk around the block with a dog that thinks he's the lead dog in a sled team, determined to reach the dog park in record time. Pulling on the leash is one of the major reasons people stop taking their dogs for walks. It takes all the fun out of a leisurely walk around the neighborhood when one of your arms feels as though it is being pulled out of its socket.
If you look in pet stores and in pet supply catalogs, you will see dozens of devices that supposedly stop your dog from pulling. The truth of the matter, however, is that dogs will continue to pull until you teach them to stop, regardless of the equipment you are using.
Only you, as your dog's trusted companion, can choose what method you want to use to teach your dog to walk with you instead of dragging you, and there are many options out there that you can try. The key to any training program, however, is you — how much time you invest in the project and how consistent you are about sticking to it until the job is done.
Why do dogs pull?
Dogs pull because it gets them where they want to go. If every time your dog leaves the house he is allowed to hit the end of the leash and you follow him wherever he pulls you, you are reinforcing the behavior and letting your dog think it is okay.
Define Your Terms
Whenever you want to fix any behavior problem, it is a good idea to sit down and figure out what you would like your dog to do instead. In this case, it is important to define how you want your dog to behave on leash. Do you want him to walk at perfect heel position or is a loose leash sufficient? Where exactly would you like your dog to be, and what will it look like when he's there? Will your arm be relaxed or extended, is sniffing okay, and which side should he be on?
Narrowing down what you are looking for gives you a better idea of what you are going to reinforce and will help you recognize it and reward it. Only by reinforcing the right behavior will you be able to get rid of the undesirable one. If you don't know what your dog has to do to get the reward, you will not be successful at getting rid of pulling and teaching him an acceptable alternative. Sit down with your family now and decide how you want your dog to behave on leash.
A good barometer for heeling is to pay attention to the slack in the leash. Look at the arm that is holding the leash. If your elbow has a bend in it, the dog is walking with you nicely; if your arm is straight, you've got some training to do.
Lack of Exercise Contributes to Pulling
Nowhere is a lack of exercise more apparent than when a dog is on leash. A dog with few outlets for his energy will pull, spin, and tug on leash to get where he wants to go. Giving your dog appropriate outlets for his energy, such as playing with other dogs, swimming, and playing fetch, will help give you a more calm on-leash companion.
Active dogs need at least 30 minutes to an hour a day of flat-out running to take the edge off of their energy. Without this outlet you can expect behavior problems. Exercise is part of a dog's basic needs for mental, physical, and emotional stability. To ignore this fact is to set your dog up for failure.
If you don't have the time to exercise your dog to the point of fatigue, consider hiring a pet sitter, dog walker, or doggie day care professional to help you give your dog the exercise he needs. Trying to train a dog that is not getting enough exercise is an exercise in frustration and should be avoided at all costs.
