Many of us want to walk our dogs but aren’t currently enjoying the actual walks due to the additional workout that comes with it. I think we can all agree that a little pulling here and there can be considered manageable. But intense pulling is unpleasant and at times, dangerous. Here are 5 reasons why your dog may be pulling.
1. Pulling is reinforced- If pulling results in pleasant consequences, pulling makes sense. Dogs start pulling and quickly get to investigate scents, pee on things, greet people or even get to greet dogs. This all means that pulling works.
2. Dogs are faster- A natural pace for a dog is faster than our casual walking pace. So having them walk with us means we’re asking them to do something that is completely different than what comes naturally to them.
3. A lack of walks- Many dogs don’t get out often. This means that getting out is extremely exciting. All that excitement leads to a faster walking pace.
4. Too much energy- If your dog has a completely full tank of gas, a casual walk may be hard for them at first. They’re going to want to go, go, go. In these cases dogs benefit from some sort of exercise (like fetch) for 10 or so minutes beforehand. This helps remove some of the energy in the tank.
5. You’re not switching environments enough- New places are extra exciting. Dogs that only get out to a new place on occasion are going to be so excited that it’s likely going to lead to lots of pulling.
Now, let’s talk about what to do.
Start off by exercising your dog for 10-15 minutes to help lower their energy level. Be sure to get a routine going where walks happen frequently. This will help stop a lot of the extra excitement and cut down on pulling. When walking, be sure to stop your dog if they start to pull towards something. We want to teach them that a loose leash gains them access to the thing instead of a tight leash. (If this happens, try saying “too bad” the moment the leash tightens and then going back 5 or so feet and then try to walk towards the reward again. Keep repeating until your dog figures out that a loose leash works and a tight leash causes a start over.) Lastly, try to explore new areas on a weekly basis. Just know that in the beginning this will lead more excitement and more pulling. When applicable, bring a long leash to allow your dog to do lots of exploring in open areas first.
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