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Are you upset that your dog is pulling on the leash too much, and you can’t enjoy long walks with it? This is a widespread problem and by no means defines you as a “bad parent.”

Forcing your dog to wear a collar and short leash to train him not to pull on a walk is not smart!

On the contrary, you can replace these two accessories with a harness or long leash, which will allow your dog to move freely and feel less controlled. Only when the dog is relaxed during the walk and, above all, is happy to be with you will you notice that he is happy to cooperate.

Walking the dog on a leash, where to start

Start your walk, trying to maintain the same pace as the dog. The goal is to adjust it to your pace, which will certainly be calmer and more relaxed. During the walk, the leash should not be pulled tight; otherwise, your four-legged friend will feel that he is losing his freedom.

Every time the dog pulls, stop, return your body weight and extend your arms until the leash’s tension is again lost – only then continue moving.

This exercise is effective because it is used to train the dog to walk only if the leash is loose, that is when the dog is not pulling it!

To continue your walk, grasp the part of the loose leash that you released your dog onto when he took another step.

What to do if your dog pulls abruptly on the leash

It is perfectly normal for your dog to stop while walking to sniff or make friends with other animals, as long as it does not drag you along with it abruptly. If she does, repeat the exercise we just explained to you, and then walk up to your pet, shorten the leash, and show the direction in which to move. A balanced and relaxed dog does not make decisions on its own. It only relies on you.

To get the dog accustomed to the leash, do the exercises in an open space and remember that the leash cannot be used to maneuver or guide the animal – it should serve as an aid for moving your pet!

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