How I Stopped My Dog From Pulling On The Leash
Last updated on By Puppy Leaks
If theres one thing I envy at the park its seeing dogs that walk perfectly by their owners side. Another dog coming up? Doesnt phase them at all. A trio of excited kids approaching? The dog doesnt seem to notice.
My dog and I used to be the complete opposite. I was the lady trying desperately to keep my dog calm on walks. Id be holding her back with all my power whenever someone walked by, and I was the one with a tight grip even when nothing exciting was around because pulling became her default on walks.
But a few years back I finally found some tips that helped. After reading and watching everything I could find on the subject I found some methods that worked. In this article well go over why dogs pull on the leash, methods to stop the pulling, and why consistency is key. Heres how I stopped my dog from pulling on the leash.
When To Start Running With Golden Retrievers
You should wait until your Golden Retriever is around 18 months old before you start running with them. Before this age, their bones and muscles are still growing and developing. The growth plates on the bones cannot handle the impact and stress of the long runs. Intense running at a young age can lead to joint problems, like hip dysplasia later in life.
You can spend the first year and a half with your Goldie leash training them and getting them used to walking along at your side. Building a solid foundation of obedience training will guarantee that your puppy will grow into a great running partner.
Before You Attach A Leash
When you imagine a dog pulling on leash, what does it look like? Like the dog is trying to get away from the human on the other end. It’s pretty obvious that the dog isn’t interested in being with the owner. So, before we walk a dog on leash we want to develop your dog’s desire to be with you.
So, before we put a leash on, we need to start without one. Start inside, because outside is too distracting. Puppies do super well at this game because they naturally want to be with you. You can do this with older dogs too but you need extra tasty treats.
Be ready with treats and a toy, if your dog likes to play. Show your dog that you have treats and toys and then simply walk around. As your dog follows give him treats and praise or little games with the toy. If he gets distracted by something, you run off and hide! This will teach your dog to think that if he takes his eye off you, you’ll disappear with all the treats and games!
Once your dog has the hang of this game inside, try doing it out in your fenced yard. Praise and treats and little games when the dog is following you. But if he gets distracted by a passing butterfly or a smell, run and hide behind a tree or shrub or lawn chair. When the dog realizes you disappeared he’ll think “where did that human with all the treats go?!”
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Which Is The Best Dog Leash To Buy Best Leash For Golden Retriever Puppy
Outdoor Training
It is recommended that you purchase a leather leash that is about 8 to 10 feet. If you are training your puppy for distance commands, you should get a line between 30 and 50 feet long. In both cases, you should opt for a nylon webbing leash. You may also want to wear gloves to avoid the occurrence of rope burn if your dog pulls, and you grab the leash, and it accidentally slips from your hands.
Everyday Use
Your best option is to use traditional six-foot nylon or a leash made from leather. Six-feet is adequate enough to give freedom of movement while keeping your dog nearby and within your control. It is up to you whether you want to choose nylon or leather. But steer clear from materials such as cloth and rubber since they arent strong or durable.
Start In A Non Exciting Area
When it comes to teaching your dog how to walk nicely on a leash one thing you want to avoid is setting them up to fail. So when youre trying to teach your dog to remain calm and walk nicely its important to use a non exciting are for you training. Pick a quiet time of the day and practice walking down the street, go for an evening stroll during dinner time when most people are indoors, or go to a park during non peak hours.
If you take your dog to a crowded park before they have good leash manners chances are theyre going to be far too excited and stimulated to pay attention and learn anything. Theyll be far too distracted by all those exciting sounds, smells and sights and of course squirrels. Dont set your dog up to fail like that. Start by teaching your dog how to walk nicely in a calm area and build from there.
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Before You Get Started
Please remember that all dogs are not the same. Not even all Golden Retrievers are the same, though they do exhibit some of the same traits.
The first thing to note before training your new puppy to walk nicely on a leash is to know what motivates them.Not all puppies will work for treats. Some dogs are motivated by verbal praise, physical attention like petting, or access to toys. Training should be a fun and engaging experience for both you and your dog it should be something that your puppy wants to do because they enjoy it.
Make sure you know what reward your dog will work for. If your dog is food-motivated, as many Golden Retrievers are, treats that have a stronger smell will typically entice them more. Also, you do not have to give them a full-sized treat each time. Break your training treats into small pieces so that you arent over-feeding your dog.
The second thing to know before leash-training your Golden Retriever puppy is what you, as the trainer, are capable of. Training is extremely time-consuming so make sure that you have enough time to train your puppy thoroughly. Also, leash training can sometimes be physically exhausting, especially since Golden Retrievers grow very quickly.
Four On The Floor To Start
When most dogs see you take out their leash, they go ballistic. They jump around, spin, whine, and bark.
If you take your dog out in that excited state, your walk is already off to a bad start. And it will probably go down from there.
Itâs best to do practice training exercises by the door so that when you need your dog to be calm for a walk, heâll be able to.
I recommend physically or mentally exercising your dog prior to practicing this training.
Always try to set your dog up to succeed.
You can play fetch or have him work a puzzle toy first. Eventually, he should be able to be calm without first exercising him.
So train your dog to be calm at the door before you go out on your trek through the neighborhood.
Donât take him on a walk until he has some impulse control and isnât over-stimulated.
To teach him to be calm before you begin your walk, practice the following training exercise.
Take out his leash. Wait until heâs calm to attempt to attach it to his harness or collar.
If heâs over-stimulated, donât attach the leash. Just hold it up or put it on a table.
Then, when heâs calm, try attaching it again.
Repeat again until you can attach the leash when heâs calm.
This training set-up exercise helps your dog think about how he gets the reward of a walk: by being calm first.
If needed, you can tell him to sit first if heâs able to sit and remain calm.
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Set Your Golden Up For Success With Loose Leash Walking
Alright now that your dog is comfortable with wearing a harness with a leash attached, the next step is to start teaching loose leash walking!
But before you start it, you need to set them up for success.
First, make sure theyve had enough exercise before you put the leash on.
Putting a leash on a golden retriever full of pent-up energy is like trying to lasso a raging bullits just not a going to work.
Playing tug or fetch before you train will help take the edge off and make walking on a leash without pulling a lot easier.
Another tip for setting them up for success is to work on loose leash walking in an area with minimal distractions.
Start in the house, and then when they can pay attention to you and not pull in the house, go outside in the back yard or right in front of the house.
Slowly work towards more and more distracting environments, until they can pay attention to you and not pull on the leash anywhere.
What Should You Look For When Buying A Golden Retriever Leash
To pick a leash, you should understand how a leash does more than walk your golden retriever. It becomes a tool to train your dog with, and a $30 leash with fancy decorations on it doesnt accomplish the principal purpose: Controlling your dog on a walk.
Different leashes will serve a different function, and you should understand what kind of training you have in mind for your golden retriever. You have two types of leashes: the regular dog leash and the retractable leash. Both of these leashes have their benefits and disadvantages.
For example, the regular dog leash teaches your dog basic obedience and walking right, but it will not correct the dog when walking a long distance. This leash hands you the maximum level of control.
Retractable leashes can stretch itself for up to 30 feet. However, it wont control your dog.
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Why Do Golden Retrievers Pull On The Leash
Before you think about teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash, its important to know why they pull on the leash in the first place.
The biggest reason is that they have not been taught not to!
Theyve lived their whole lives without a leash, going wherever they please, as fast as they want.
So when you put a leash on them, theyre not used to it and still try to move how theyve always moved, which results in them pulling.
In addition to the first reason, heres the second: golden retrievers love everything and everyone.
They love life and are very curious, so when they see a new sight, or smell a new smell, they get excited and want to go explore it.
Trying to restrict their exploring with them on a leash is actually quite difficult .
And the third reason is this: theyve learned that pulling gets them what they want.
For instance, lets say youre outside with your puppy on the leash for the very first time ever.
She sees a leaf blow by and wants to go check it out so she pulls towards it.
If you let her get to the leaf, she learns that pulling gets her what she wants, so technically, youre rewarding her for pulling.
And this is how puppies learn to pull on a leash.
Dont Let Pulling Be Reinforced
As mentioned, dogs do what gets reinforced, so make sure your Golden is not being rewarded for pulling. If your Golden Retriever pulls on the leash and gets what he wants then he will continue to do it and it will only get worse. So, if you feel your Golden start to pull you in one direction, plant your feet and dont move, waiting until he returns to you. If he is stronger than you, turn and walk the opposite direction. Once he is walking next to you nicely, you can turn back and go the way he wanted. This teaches your Golden that if he wants to go somewhere, he has to keep that leash loose. I find dogs get the rules very quickly and this method is proven to be most successful.
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Ezydog Zero Shock Dog Leashby Ezydog
This is one of the best shock-resistant leashes on the market. This leash can reduce pulling and keep you safe from related injuries.
The leash comes in two sizes and many different colors. The two sizes are 24-inch and 48-inch leashes.
In addition to the patented shock reduction technology, this leash also includes a secondary handle you can use in traffic to keep your pooch close to you.
The handles are padded with neoprene lining and waterproof, and they are very comfortable and soft to the touch.
This leash also has a highly reflective trim that allows you to walk your pooch during the night or early in the morning.
Like a few other leashes I mentioned, this leash can also unhook occasionally from the collar or harness, which is a big drawback.
Also, the elastic part of the leash can lose some of its elasticity over time, and if your dog likes to chew on everything, this leash is not for you since it is not chew-proof.
»PROS: Available In Two Sizes and Many Colors, Durable, Shock Absorption, Has a Traffic Handle, Padded Handles, Reflective
«CONS: Expensive, Not Chew Proof, Leash May Get Unhooked from the Collar Sometimes, Losses Elasticity over Time
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S To Stop Your Dog From Pulling On A Leash
There are numerous techniques you can use to stop your dog from pulling on his leash.
These are tried-and-true methods. But, like all training, they require patience and consistency.
Everyone who walks your dogfamily members, friends, dog walkersmust be consistent.
And thereâs no cookie cutter approach. Each dogâs an individual.
If one method doesnât work, another will.
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What To Look For In A Leash For Dogs That Pull
Before you buy a leash for your dog that pulls, you should know what factors are most important. Consider the following elements as you compare leashes:
Design
One of the first factors to consider is the leashs design. Look for features such as padded handles and loops, swivel designs, and other elements that make the leash more comfortable and easy to control.
You can also consider the style of the leash, finding a color option to fit your pups personality.
Material
Leashes come in multiple materials. Nylon is one popular choice because its durable and difficult to chew through.
Leather is another popular material, adding more style to your pets leash. Cotton leashes are also common, providing your pet with lightweight comfort however, they can be less durable than leather and nylon designs.
Length
Consider your main goals when you decide on what length to purchase. If you want to keep your dog close and need added control, a 1- or 1.5-foot leash could do the trick. However, you may want to consider a 25- or 30-foot lead to train your dog to go off-leash.
The Cheater Method: Using A Front Clip Harness
My favorite method when it comes to teaching your dog not to pull on the leash is one I call the cheater method using a front clip harness. The best part is front clip harnesses are easy to use the hardest part is figuring out how the hell to put them on the first couple of times.
I have zero regrets about getting a front clip harness years ago, in fact its one of the tools I wish Id had from the very beginning. Ive never seen a single piece of equipment have such an immediate impact on walks. Using a front clip harness is one of my favorite dog walking tips for that very reason its a nice simple way to help reset your dogs leash manners if you havent been using one.
Using a different piece of gear works especially well on dogs that are already accustomed to pulling with a traditional collar/leash combo. From the moment you start using your new harness keep up the praise as your dog walks nicely. Your dog will start to associate the harness with loose leash walking.
Its the same method used by a lot of police K9s. They have different collars they wear depending on the tasks theyre being given. A simple switch of their collar puts them into a different mindset, and they know exactly what is expected of them.
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Great Leash Training Tips To Stop A Golden Retriever Puppy From Pulling On The Leash
July 10, 2017
Sunshine is a seven-month-old, Golden Retriever puppy who lives in Gretna. Her guardians set up a dog obedience training session with us for leash training to help Sunshine stop pulling on the leash, as well as counterconditioning with the cats and basic dog obedience training.
When I arrived at the house, Sunshine was sleeping in the living room and did not come to greet me until her name was called. Once she came over to me, she started to jump up but quickly settled back down. You can see how Sunshines greeting went in the video below.
I sat down with the guardians to discuss Sunshines unwanted behaviors and what puppy training they wanted to accomplish during this puppy training session. While Sunshine did have some rules in place, I noticed that the guardians had a habit of repeating commands when Sunshine didnt listen right away. The more times you use a command the less likely your dog is to listen. As a dog behaviorist I have learned that desensitization is a bad habit many dog guardians pick up unintentionally. Repeating a word or command that your dog is not responding to you is almost a textbook definition of desensitization.
I introduced a martingale collar with a straight leash to do some leash training with Sunshine. You can see pick up some free dog training tips to get your dog to stop pulling on the leash in the video below.
We wrapped up this session with Sunshines Roadmap to Success video, which you can watch below.