STOP DOGS PULLING ON THE LEAD FOREVER WITH TRAINER’S 3 STEPS – ‘ASTRONOMICAL’ IMPROVEMENT
Source: Express (Extract)
Posted: October 19, 2024
Transform dog behaviour from pulling on the lead to walking nicely beside you in the quickest time possible.
Dog training expert Will Atherton has shared three simple steps to transform your dog’s behavior on the leash in just 20 to 30 seconds.
In his helpful tutorial, Will noted, “We have another case of extreme pulling that’s driving the owners crazy.” For those who feel like walking their dog has turned into a “nightmare” due to pulling, Will has the answer.
“Today, I’m going to share my method for transforming a dog from an extreme puller to walking comfortably on a loose leash as quickly as possible,” he explains.
Will follows a three-step philosophy for addressing this unwanted behavior, which you can “absolutely” implement with your own dog.
Step one: correction
Will’s first recommendation is the correction stage, where you help the dog understand that pulling on the leash is not acceptable. “It’s essential to make it very clear to the dog what we want and what we don’t,” he explains.
Will emphasizes the importance of having the “right tool for the job,” recommending a slip lead, which combines a collar and leash into one. This lead tightens when the dog pulls and loosens when the dog relaxes.
He highlights that using a slip lead is essential for training a dog to stop intense or extreme pulling.
Placing the slip lead “high, just behind the ears,” and ensuring it’s “snug,” Will explains that dogs who pull on the leash often lack engagement with their owners.
“At no point is George [the dog he’s training] looking up to me for guidance,” Will points out. “He’s looking off into the distance, making his own decisions… that’s what leads to pulling, lunging, and can often escalate into reactivity or aggression.”
To address this, in addition to the slip lead, the correctional process involves increasing owner and dog engagement.
“When he does engage with me, I have a pocket full of treats ready to praise and reward him for focusing his attention back on me.”
After a few drills, Will noted that the dog’s behavior has “astronomically” improved in just 20 to 30 seconds of training.
Step two involves redirecting the dog to the desired behavior through heel training, while step three focuses on reinforcing good behavior.
