Whos Pulling On The Leash, You Or Your Dog?

Hopefully no one is pulling the leash. The ideal situation is that you and your dog are equally enjoying the walk and neither is pulling and tugging the other in any certain direction.

If your dog tends to be pulling you off into its own direction a large amount of the time you are walking, you can train the dog to stop doing this. What's interesting is that you have actually been training the dog to do this behavior not only by allowing it but by supporting it without realizing it.

There are various reasons that cause a dog to automatically pull on the leash. For example, when a beagle sees a squirrel or other animal scurry quickly across in front of him, he is going to go berzerk. You can count on that. So be ready to hold on strongly if you plan to keep the beagle in tow in a situation like this.

Just holding the dog in tow is not enough, though, since this will reinforce the dog's desire to pull. Think of it as a training opportunity! To use it as a training opportunity, you'll need to know exactly how you're going to train.

Another example that will cause your dog to pull you off course is when your dog wants to sniff out an area, he will automatically go to the area with no thought of you who are on the other end of his leash.

Expert trainers have techniques to keep a dog focused in the direction of your choice. You want to take care not to reward the dog when he goes off your chosen path and expects you to go with him. Since it takes you by surprise, you may inadvertently reward him by following him, impulsively reacting to his sudden behavior.

Now you may take a look at what you are doing that is rewarding this behavior. You say, "I'm not rewarding him! I don't give him a treat for doing this." This is the time to consider what a dog considers a reward, then.

To a dog a reward is when you give him something which brings him happiness whether you meant it as a reward or not. As you know, treats are not the only thing that bring happiness in a dog's life. Consider that you are rewarding the dog when he is allowed to pull you off course at his whim.

Any dog can be trained to stop pulling on the leash. There are no limits as to age or how long the dog has been allowed to pull on the leash. From what you have read here and with some patience, focus and repetition you can train your dog to stop pulling on the leash.

The bad news is that this training takes some education. The good news is that this education is available and the training is possible for anyone who can physically hold the dog on a leash. And more good news: there is no pain or punishment involved at all, neither for you nor for your dog! An expert trainer can give you some basic steps to getting the results you want by following a specified formula.

Mogens Eliasen of K9joy is an expert trainer with 30+ years experience and author of the fabulous resource titled "Don't Pull On The Leash." http://www.PullingOnTheLeash.com

Juanita Bellavance, the author of this article can be contacted at jjbellava@MyCopywritingSpecialist.com

____________________

Advertisement: SitStayFetch Dog Training - Click Here!

---

Westie - West Highland White Terrier Puppies - Fragile and Needful Of Protection

Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures are cuddly and white furry balls, at least 12-15 inches tall, possessing a pair of coal black... Read More

The Wire Fox Terrier

Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first used for hunting of some sort and so came up as aggressive and lively), the Wire Fox... Read More

Dog Training - How To Communicate With An Elderly Dog

As dogs grow older, their senses become less sharp and this can lead to communication difficulties developing.Other problems, such as a breakdown in toilet training, can also... Read More

How To Load A Horse Into A Trailer - Easy As Pie!

If there is an art to getting horses to load in a trailer, then this it.The first thing that must happen is communication between the horse and... Read More

Do They Really Need a Dog Bed?

When Lucky was starting to show signs of aging, we were concerned about her comfort. She would have a hard time getting up in the morning. Her... Read More

Commercial Pet Food for Your Dog?

What you feed your dog is really SO important for your dog's ultimate health, susceptibility to illness, and longevity.You know, if you really want your dog to... Read More

Living With a Pet Serval

Some sources seem to indicate that living with a serval is no more challenging than feeding your pet goldfish. At the other end of the extreme spectrum,... Read More

How To Prevent Your Horse Going Lame From The Most Common Cause Of Lameness

There are lots of ways a horse can go lame. Perhaps the most common cause of lameness is a result of Navicular Syndrome. The fortunate thing is... Read More

Fat and Obese Dogs Live Shorter Lives

Obesity is one of the most important health concerns facing dogs. If you love your dog, you should do something about it. Overweight dogs live shorter and... Read More

A Dog Name is Something To Be Chosen Carefully

How important is a dog name? Well let's think about this.How often do you call your dog? Who will hear your dog's name? Will you be writing... Read More

General Information, Caring For & Breeding Silkworms

BackgroundSilkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native to Asia that spins a cocoon of fine, strong, lustrous fiber that is the source of commercial... Read More

My Tips to Take Care of a New Dog

So you're bringing home that cute little puppy from the best breeder after doing all that research, or you found the most adorable "mutt" at the pound,... Read More

Personal Pet Check-Ups

For all pet owners, regular monitoring and "examinations" of your pet will give you a better idea of the animal's overall health and prove as good "quality"... Read More

Ears Stand Corrected: Cosmetic Surgery and Pets

Are you irritated by your dog's drooping ears or your kitty's tail which is capable of sweaping off a coffee table in a mere second? Is your... Read More

How To Find Your Lost Dog

The first thing to do when searching for a lost dog is to confirm that your dog is actually lost. Dogs, especially curious breeds, can easily find... Read More

Dog Behavior Training: Methods of Working with a Shy Dog

Shy dogs are more common than most people think, but unfortunately many dogs who suffer from this affliction are never seen by the general public because of... Read More

How to Buy a Purebred Dog

If you decide you want a purebred, make sure it's because you love the breed since purebreds are often not as resilient as mixed breeds. Consider carefully... Read More

The Top Ten Reasons You Can - And Should - Hold an Equine Educational Event

Boarding, Breeding, Training & Showing Stables:1. You need to fill stalls.2. You want to generate some public awareness about your operation.3. You want to create new potential... Read More

5 Things You Must Do If You Want To Create a First Aid Kit For Your Family

1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently. Maybe more frequently than we realize. Statistics show a fatal injury occurs every 18 minutes in homes... Read More

Housebreaking Dogs and Puppies - A Step by Step Guide to Potty Training Your Dog or Puppy

If you're reading this I think it's safe to assume that you either currently own, or are about to buy, a dog or puppy and don't want... Read More

Applehead Chihuahua

The term applehead Chihuahua refers to the shape of a baby Chihuahua's head. The dome of the skull is broader than the jaw, giving rise to the... Read More

Keeping Gars - A Short Review

If you take a quick look at this species they don't seem like aquarium fishes. They are large and highly predatory. But then again, these are qualities... Read More

Top 5 Dog Health Problems

The most common dog problems:Dog Owner's commonly ask me the same questions repeatedly. This article aims to help dog owners prevent and find information about the most... Read More

You Dont Get a Second Chance!

I'm sure you're aware of the bad reputation Pitbulls have. That reputation is mostly based on ignorance and irresponsible owners that don't take the time to learn... Read More

Puppy Crate Training -- Fast Track to a Contented Dog

Puppy crate training is one of the most effective ways to housebreak your new puppy.Puppy crate training takes a little patience, but it's a good way to... Read More

Heartworms Alert - Know The Warning Signs To Save Your Pets Health!

Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being more lethargic than usual? If so, it is possible that your pet is infected with heartworms and... Read More