How can I train my 1-year-old dog to stop pulling on the leash?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on May 25th, 2018

  Correcting the Behavior
  To train a dog to walk by his or her owner’s side with a loose leash, some methods are listed below. You should remember that, for all training, you should reward the dog when he is doing something you want, instead of just telling him what you don’t want. Training can be a long process; these methods require consistency and perseverance. Training sessions should begin after your dog has had sufficient exercise and not as a substitution for exercise. Be sure not to give up!!!
  1. Rewardyourdogwhenheisnotpulling
  Start with your dog in a quiet area. Walk your dog on leash. When your dog is walking next to you for 2 steps, give a treat. Gradually increase the amount of walking and distractions. The idea is to catch your dog doing something right and reward that behavior☺
  2. The“TreeMethod”
  When your dog pulls, become an immoveable object. Once your dog stops pulling and the leash is relaxed, call the dog to your side and praise or give a treat. This reinforces the positive behavior of maintaining a loose leash.
  3. WalkingtheOtherWay
  In order to reinforce a dog’s natural tendency to follow, once your dog pulls out in front, you should turn quickly and walk the other way. Reward once you feel slack on the collar. This can cause a walk to go no more than a few feet at the beginning, so be patient. The pull back should only be strong enough to get your dog’s attention. Excessive force, especially when using choke chains, may cause neck trauma.
  For more information, please contact your veterinarian or a trainer who uses humane training methods.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on April 4th, 2017

  It's very possible to teach dogs to walk on a loose leash, but it takes lots of time and effort and you have to be very consistent - or else it won't work. The best way to teach this skill is by carrying treats with you on your walks, and rewarding your dog frequently for walking nicely beside you with the leash loose. If he starts to pull, simply stop and wait for him to pay attention to you again - then praise and reward, and go on with your walk. Eventually, he will learn that by keeping the leash loose the walk continues, and he also gets lots of treats; whereas if he pulls, you stop moving.
  
  If he has trouble with the Gentle Leader, you might try a front-clip harness such as the Easy Walk Harness instead - most dogs aren't bothered by the harness as much as they are by a head halter, and it can be helpful to prevent him from pulling as much while he's learning.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 12th, 2017

  If your dog pulls on the leash while walking than I recommend using a Gentle Leader or Halti collar. This type of collar prevents a dog from pulling and makes walking much easier. It will take some time for the dog to get used to walking with the collar. You can use treats to help train him to walk properly. With a little patience and persistence, he will learn how to walk properly. You can also put the collar and leash on him inside and let him drag the leash around the house, while you monitor him, so he gets more used to it.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful