Walking your dog can be both enjoyable and healthy. However, if she pulls on the leash, this activity can soon become tiresome and sometimes even dangerous. The bright side is that pulling on the leash can be easily remedied. Most dogs can learn to walk without pulling in one or two training sessions.
At the beginning of the walk, make sure your dog is sitting calmly while you put the collar and/or leash on her. As you are ready to move forward, give your dog a command such as “walk” or “move forward.” Then have her walk with you at your left side. As you and your dog walk, make sure to stop as soon as she pulls or lunges. You may need to get her attention at this point, especially if there is something distracting her and causing her to pull or lunge. Once the leash becomes slack, try walking again, making sure to stop all movement if she pulls or lunges. This needs to be done every time until your dog learns that the only way to move is by keeping pace with you.
You can also help your dog learn to walk alongside you by switching directions quickly and, at the same time, giving a quick, gentle tug on the leash to redirect her to walk. This helps her stay attentive to your walking pattern and reinforces the idea that she needs to walk alongside you. Be sure to give lots of praise or to reward your dog with treats when the leash becomes slack.
Some dogs do well with the use of a special collar such as a head halter. This specialized collar is worn around the muzzle and right behind the ears, applying pressure on the muzzle and back of the neck when the dog pulls on the leash. As she pulls, or as the leash becomes tight, the dog feels the pressure and soon learns that the pressure stops when the leash is slack. Do not use tugs with this type of collar because the dog will feel the pressure and correct her own behavior.
Whether you use a regular or specialized collar, give lots of praise or treats to reinforce the proper walking behavior. After a while, your dog will walk alongside you without constant reinforcement or correction.
