We’ve all been there. You’re hoping for a nice leisurely walk with your dog to start your morning off in the best way or to unwind after a long day, but your pup has other ideas.
They’ve got one of the best dog leashes on, but they keep pulling on it. You’re content at your own pace, but your dog seems impatient. What can you do? Well, Juliana DeWillems, owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, has given us three expert tips in a recent Instagram post. Just keep reading to take a look at her ideas.
First and foremost, remember that positive reinforcement is the way to go when it comes to changing your dog’s behavior. If you’d like to know how to stop a dog pulling on a leash, it’s important to keep in mind that treats, play, and praise are all brilliant ways to get your dog to do what you want, and DeWillems’ advice, as follows, reflects this.
1. Get a longer leash
“Replace your four or six-foot leash with an eight or 10-foot leash [like this one on Amazon] because this gives your dog more space to move around, sniff, and explore without hitting the end of the leash and putting tension on it,” advises DeWillems.
2. Bring new treats
Try using treats your dog hasn’t had before – why not go for something high-value? They’ll find them more exciting than their usual treats, and DeWillems explains that they should prompt more frequent checking in with you and walking close with you. You can then reward these behaviors to in turn see more of them.
3. Play before you leave the house
For a few minutes before you head out on your walk, play with your dog at home.
“You might be thinking, ‘Wait a second, isn’t the walk how I’m supposed to exercise my dog?’” says DeWillems, “If you play with your dog for just a few minutes before you go for a walk, that can actually get some of their energy out before you walk out the door.”
This can make your walk a lot more enjoyable for both of you, and you get to have some fun just before the walk, too.
Read next: My dog’s leash pulling made walks miserable until I helped her reactivity, here’s how
