There are a few different methods to train your dog to walk without pulling on his leash. There are also a few basic guidelines to remember when doing the training sessions.

* During the training process consider any walks you take your dog on as teaching sessions.

* Be sure to train frequently. Keep each session short and fun.

* Exercise your dog prior to having a training session. Dogs usually pull on their leash due to having excess energy.

* You will need plenty of rewards during the sessions. Use treats you know your dog loves. Soft treats work well. Make sure they are small bite size pieces.

* During the training sessions walk at a quick pace. Your dog is less likely to stop and sniff.

The first focus must be placed on how well your dog does when preparing for the walk. If he should get overly excited and start running around and making it difficult to put his leash on, there is a way to change this behavior into a more positive habit of your dog remaining still as you put his leash on.

To start, walk to the door and get his leash. Make sure he notices you picking up the leash and standing by the door he knows you leave from to take him for a walk. If he starts to race around, jump, spin, etc. be sure you stand still and do not say or do anything. Once he has calmed down a bit, then slowly place the leash on his collar.

If he starts to get excited again before you have the chance to clip the leash on, quickly take the leash and put your arms to the side of your body. Remember not to say or do anything and remain completely still. Repeat this process until your dog has calmed down,is sitting in front of you, and the leash can be put on. This will definitely pay off if you are consistent.

This method can be used with dogs who are able to remain in a sitting position and will come to you on command even if in a place with distractions.

Begin by walking in your intended direction. As soon as your dog reaches the end of his leash and pulls, stop dead in your tracks and wait. As soon as your dog stops pulling on the leash and allow slack in the leash, call him to you. When he obeys and comes to you, say the command word “sit”. Be sure to say “yes”and give him a treat as soon as he sits. Immediately begin walking again. If he pulls again, repeat the process of you stopping dead in your tracks.

You should reward your dog frequently as you are walking to show him how pleased you are with him staying next to or slightly ahead of you. With consistency, your dog will quickly learn if he stays near you or beside you,he gets treats and gets to keep walking.

He also learns if he pulls on his leash, its not a whole lot of fun since he does not get to keep walking and instead must come back to you and sit. If your dog should pull toward something he see’s, repeat the process of stopping and waiting for him to stop pulling on the leash and to come to you when given the command word.

Instead of rewarding him with a treat when he comes back to you,reward him with allowing him to see the object he was pulling towards. Be sure to say “yes” and give him enough slack to go see the object. You will notice after doing this for a week or two, that you will not be making as frequent of stops.

Another training method which might work for you and your dog is done by starting with your dog at your left side. Have a number of treats in your left hand.

Put your left hand in front of your dog’s nose. Say the command words “let’s walk”and begin walking in your intended direction. Every few seconds, give your dog a treat and do not forget to praise him for doing well by walking at your pace. If he should start to pull ahead or pull to the side,immediately stop again.

Say the command word “sit” and praise him when he sits down. Show your dog your left hand filled with treats and allow him to get a smell. Begin walking again.

Practice this method every day. Increase the distance you walk by a small amount each day. After you have done a weeks worth of this daily “lured” walking, stop luring him with your hand full of treats. Now show your dog your closed left hand as you did when it was filled with treats and say the command words “let’s walk”. Every few steps reward your dog with a treat you take out of your left pocket.

As soon as he is able to walk without pulling his leash for several minutes at a time, start gradually increasing the number of steps you take in between treats. This way your dog will be walking longer distances. The idea is to reward him every other step, then every 5 steps, every 10 steps, etc. You have reached your goal when you can walk with your left hand down at your side.

This method works only if your dog is not wearing a choke, pinch collar, or head halter. With a few dogs using the stopping and luring method with treats is not very successful. Instead of stopping that is used in the other methods which teach him when he pulls, this is a signal for you to turn and walk back to where you started at.

You will add a verbal warning with this method. Before your dog gets to the end of his leash, say the command word “easy.” When he slows down, say “yes” and call your dog to you. Give him a treat but continue walking. The idea is for your dog to come to the understanding that pulling on the leash results in unpleasant reprimanding of being checked against the end of his leash as he gets farther away.Use the same reward method as described in the previously described training methods.

This method is used with a dog that is not wearing a choke, pinch or prong collar. There are some dogs who respond better to a jerk on their collar when they pull.

You will need to hold the end of the leash at your left side, with a elbow bent. Make sure you never allow your dog to pull your arm straight.A warning to your dog needs to used with this method. Before your dog reaches the end of the leash, say the command word “easy.” If your dog slows down, respond with the word “yes” in an excited and praise tone. Call your dog to you and give him a treat.

Remember to keep walking. If he does not slow down and continues to pull, jerk firmly on the leash in a backward and upward direction.Make sure you firmly jerk his leash instead of pulling it. Always give your dog a treat and praise him for not pulling and for walking with you in the proper manner.

See this next article on how to train your dog by using a “clicker.”

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/276347_how-to-use-the-clicker-to-train-your-dog

Introduce the leash.

When you first introduce the leash, take a calm and gentle approach. Let the puppy smell the leash and get used to it and relate the leash with a treat. Every time he smells it, give him a treat and praise him so he can associate this foreign object as a positive interaction.

Help your dog get used to the tension of the leash.

When the leash is put on him, he will typically not like the fact he is getting pulled. Puppies usually do not like tension around their necks, but they will become immune to it overtime. A good way to help him get used to the tension is to tie the leash around his neck and then tie the other end onto something sturdy so he cannot pull it off. Make sure you keep praising him and showing him that this is okay.

Repeat these actions frequently.

You should do this everyday for about 15 to 20 minutes until you think he is ready to actually be walked.

Use a short leash.

I say this because you do not want your dog to get used to leading. You are the human and he is the dog. He follows you and you do not follow him. One of the worst types of leashes to use is a retractable leash. These types of leashes teach your dog to lead and pull you. A walk with your dog should be a good, steady non-fighting pace. You want to be able to relax when walking, not worrying about your puppy chasing other dogs or wanting to lick little kids. You are in command, show it. If you use a short leash, it will teach your dog to stay beside you and follow you wherever you go, not the opposite. What is also good about using a short leash is that since your dog is so used to walking right beside you every time you walk, when he gets older, you can start to walk him without the leash (which is the ultimate goal) without worrying about him running away fromBe persistent during your walks.

Be persistent during your walks.

Remember if he tries to get in front of you, make sure you give a sharp pull back and a command to let him know that you’re going to lead and not him. A common command for something like this is, “Heel!” But you can use whatever command you want, just make sure you’re very persistent with the same command.

Teaching your puppy to walk on a leash is very important and so easy to do. All dogs are different and have different maturity levels. The process does not take very long, just be patient. You are the pack leader of your dog, make sure you show it, and a good way to show your dominance starts with the walk.

Question by LivinLife: Why does my dog growl and attempt to bite me when I take his leash off?
Ok so whenever i come home and try to take my dogs leash off, he starts growling and attacking me. He doesn’t do it when i put the leash on, and he doesn’t attack me when i just pick him up. Whenever i take his leash off or wash his paws he becomes a completely different dog. What can i do?

Best answer:

Answer by Helpful Person 18
He could be somewhat leash aggressive. Maybe he thinks that leash=walk and when you take it off he gets mad because he wants a walk. You could call a local professional and have them help train your dog also.

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