How to Minimize Leash Pulling Without Punishment
People often complain about their dogs pulling on a leash
However their dogs have more right to complain about how bad people are at walking. There are multiple reasons why dogs pull and getting to know them will help find a positive solution:
The second most common reason is that many dogs on four legs naturally walk faster than our paltry pair.
This mismatch gets worse when they also have more pent up energy than us.
They may may overreact to something exciting they encounter on the walk.
The most common reason dogs pull is because it works!
If pulling helps dogs achieve any of these goals then they would be foolish not to do it. However if a walker makes pulling counterproductive than their dogs will catch on quick.
Usually all walkers need to do is consistently stop or suddenly change directions when a leash gets too tight. Avoid pulling backwards, as this will probably make your dog resist more.
However keep in mind if your dog has excess energy that makes it much harder to learn. It’s very similar to how a lack of sleep can make it harder for us to think straight (which I described more here).
If you think the issue is #2 or #3, it’s really important to tire the dog out a bit before expecting it to adapt to your needs.
“Dogs cannot absorb intricate concepts like walking extra slowly next to you until you can get their overflowing energy burned off first with a game of fetch or other activity. If you don't do that, then know that you'll have to be tolerant of the pulling until you've walked long enough for him to fatigue a bit.” -Zak George¹
Just like us, the more a dog is exposed to a stimulus the more boring it gets.
And the less exciting something is, the less difficult it is to control ourselves around it. Especially if a dog gets a more exciting treat for displaying self control.
“You've got to normalize the exciting environment your dog encounters on walks. You do this through frequent exposure and desensitization drills so that the smells, sights, and sounds aren't a special occasion anymore.” - Zak George²
If you’ve tried the above steps, and even a tired dog’s favorite treat is not enough to curb its enthusiasm, then try increasing the distance from the stimulus before asking it to behave. Find the point where your dog can keep the leash loose and then gradually close the distance.
And make sure to give plenty of treats and praise along the way because it can't be easy for pups to keep up with our strange, slow, and bipedal ways.
pg. 147-148 of Zak George's Dog Training Revolution, published 2016
p. 92 of Zak George's Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog, published 2019