“Once established lead pulling can be trained but it will take time, training your puppy at an early age  not to pull is essential. .” - Sam Hughes

How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Lead Without Pulling

Introduction:

Training your puppy to walk on a lead without pulling can be a rewarding experience that strengthens your bond. 
All training should be practised indoors, away from distractions that will cause your puppy to lose focus. Loose lead training is hard for some dogs, but you can achieve your goal with practice, time, and patience.

Here are some effective steps and tips to help you achieve this:

Easy Ways To Train a Dog To Walk On Their Lead

Choose the Right Equipment

Whether you want to use a collar or harness to walk your dog, finding a suitable one for the size and breed of your puppy is essential.

A harness is probably a safer option, They do not encourage your dog to pull, any more than a pair of trainers make me a runner. Collars can be painful and cause damage to the delicate neck area. I advise a Y-shaped harness. Ensure that it fits correctly and that you make wearing it a positive experience.

• Harness: Consider using a front-clip harness which can help reduce pulling. Lead: Use a standard leash (4-6 feet) rather than a retractable one to maintain better control.

Get Your Puppy Used to the Lead

• Allow your puppy to wear the collar or harness and lead around the house to get accustomed to it. Get them used to wearing it by putting the harness on them and doing some training, feeding them or implementing enrichment activities.  check this video out

• Give treats and praise to create a positive association with the leash.

• Play fun games where they chase you and stop when they reach your side to reward them.

Short Intervals of Training

• Puppies have a short attention span. You will have success if you train for short periods of time, more often. 

• Lead training can be boring so make it fun, play games, vary your training and don’t expect miracles.

• If they start chewing the lead, it is time to stop!

Why Do Dogs Pull On Their Lead?

Walks can be a scary time for puppies. Part of lead walking training is to ensure that you habituate your puppy to their environment, pulling on the lead can manifest through over-excitement, fear and conflict. Preventing these feelings will help them focus and be calm when outside. 

Your puppy may not pull, and they might refuse to walk, this is likely due to fear and anxiety, reassure your puppy, give them love and treats and never force them to walk. You can pick your puppy up, take them home and try again tomorrow, changing the direction, if they stop in a particular place. If you are struggling with this behaviour please book a call here

How To Stop Your Dog Pulling On Their Leads?

Your aim isn’t to stop pulling it is to prevent it from happening, until you change why the dog is pulling, stopping it is only a temporary solution. Puppy classes are a great start to teaching you the skills to implement training your puppy.

Patience, short sessions, teaching calmness and focus work. You cannot train your dog not to pull for their entire walk, it isn’t practical. Consistently reward your puppy for walking beside you, even if it only happens for a few seconds, use treats, praise, and affection to reinforce good behaviour. Rovers Return Dog Training, offer puppy classes and lead walking classes. 

How To Get Your Dog Focused When Walking

Your puppy will find it difficult to focus when out and about. Focus is a key skill for walking on a loose lead. Teach them to pay attention to you by rewarding it whenever it happens, any time that they look at you, mark the behaviour and reward them. When out walking place a piece of food on the floor and let them eat it, when they look at you as if to say where is another treat, mark this and reward them. Choice training builds behaviours and they will grow as the puppy understands that it means a tasty treat is coming their way!

Gradually Increase Distractions

• Once your puppy is doing well indoors, practice in more distracting environments.

• Gradually increase the level of distractions to help your puppy learn to focus on you.

• Set them up for success. If they over-excited and can’t focus, take them away from the distractions to a quiet area and begin training.

Begin Walking

• Start by walking slowly, your puppy doesn’t have to be by your side, but the lead should be loose, when you see a dog or person place a piece of food onto the floor and let them eat it. 

• When the lead is slack, reward your puppy with treats and praise.

• A short session of 1-2 minutes outside your house, to begin with, will build their confidence, if you have to hold them at first that is fine. 

Reward Good Behaviour

• Consistently reward your puppy for walking beside you without pulling.

• Use treats, praise, and affection to reinforce good behaviour.

• Avoid using no-pull harnesses or head halti’s, prong collars or e-collars, these cause emotional harm to your dogs. 

Consistency is Key

• Be consistent with your training. Everyone who walks the puppy should use the same techniques to avoid confusion.

• Practice short, frequent sessions rather than long, infrequent ones.

What is the Number One trick to stop your dog from pulling on the lead?

I’m afraid there isn’t one. Once established lead pulling can be trained but it will take time, training your puppy at an early age  not to pull is essential. 

 Patience and Positive Reinforcement

• Stay patient and avoid punishing your puppy for pulling.

• Focus on positive reinforcement to encourage the desired behaviour.

Example Training Session Outline

1. Warm-Up: Start with fun activities such as play, and running around to get your puppy's attention.

2. Lead Training Indoors: Practice walking around the house and garden with the lead on and off and reward when they are by your side. 

3. Focus Practice: Work on focus and attention with treats.

4. Short Walk Outdoors: 1-2 minutes, making it fun and no pressure to meet or see people or dogs.

5. Cool Down: End with playtime or a favourite activity to keep the experience positive.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Excessive Pulling: Go back to a less distracting environment and reinforce the basics.

• Distractions: Use high-value treats to regain your puppy's focus.

• Frustration: Take a break if you or your puppy becomes frustrated. Training should be fun and positive.

Conclusion

By following these steps and maintaining consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, you'll be able to train your puppy to walk on a lead without pulling, making walks more enjoyable for both of you.