It is pretty common for dogs to yank on their leashes when they’re walked–they’re out in the big, exciting world, after all, and they want to see and smell everything they can. It can become quite a problem, though, particularly if you’re walking a dog that weighs almost as much as you do. It can be hard on your dog, too–she’s putting a lot of pressure on her neck and her trachea (windpipe) by pulling against her collar.
A Gentle Leader may be the simplest solution to this problem. Gentle Leaders hook onto a leash just like collars, but instead of wrapping around the dog’s neck, they attach with one nylon strap above her muzzle and one behind her ears. They look something like muzzles, but they don’t keep dogs’ mouths from opening unless the person holding the leash applies pressure.
When your dog is wearing a Gentle Leader and tugs against her leash, the force turns her head back toward you. Tugging harder will only make her turn her head more sharply; she’ll learn pretty quickly that it won’t get her anywhere. You can find Gentle Leaders at almost any pet store.
Another option that works well with smaller dogs is taking away all the positive reinforcement they get from pulling on the leash. Your dog is tugging on the leash because she wants to go faster, so whenever she tugs, you can stop in your tracks and refuse to move. When she calms down and stops pulling, you can start walking again. If you’re patient and do this consistently, your dog can learn that the only way she’s going to get to walk around and sniff all the wonderful things she wants to sniff is by walking calmly and politely beside you.
Information courtesy of The American Animal Hospital Association
Tags: behavioral, Canine, Dog, pulling leash