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How to Stop Your Dog from Pulling While Walking

June 3, 2019 by Mary Telesz

a dog being walked by their owner while pulling on the leashDogs that pull while walking are frustrating to train and taking them on a walk can be an unpleasant experience. If you do not know how to stop your dog from pulling while walking, you probably return home exhausted from your outing, dreading the next time you have to put the leash on and venture outside again. It can be equally as frustrating for the dog, especially if you spend the entire time yelling at them and pulling on the leash.

To make matters worse, if your dog breaks free from your grip, he could be dangerous to both himself, you, and other people around him. The leash could get caught on something or trapped under car tires, or your dog could run out into the street, endangering both him (or her) and the people driving.

If you have a dog that likes to pull while walking, there is hope. With a little bit of leash training, and a lot of patience, you can stop this terrible habit. One day, you will be able to enjoy your walks with your dog and revel in your dog-walking skills. Learn more about how to stop your dog from pulling while walking.

Get Your Dog to Pay Attention to You

The most important thing to do when training your dog to not pull is to get your dog’s focus all on you. Making sure your dog pays more attention to you than other distractions is among the most fundamental of dog-walking skills.

One of the first steps you should take is to change your attitude. Rather than trying to stop your dog from pulling, try instead to teach your dog to walk nicely beside you. Focus less on pulling and more on trying to get him to walk with you, and the easier the training process will be.

Additionally, the point of getting your dog to pay attention to you while on a walk is not to just stop them from pulling, but to help the two of you walk together and bond. The better your relationship with your dog, the less he will pull on the leash.

Reward Your Dog

In the past you may have found yourself trying to fight you dog as he or she pulled by pulling back. Not only is this counterproductive, it is also dangerous, as your dog could potentially slip out of the collar and run away.

Instead, whenever your dog walks nicely beside you, or shifts his attention to you, use positive reinforcement: give him a treat. Treats like small pieces of boiled chicken or roast beef work wonders, but pieces of your dog’s dry dog food can also be effective.

Play “Follow the Leader” With Your Dog

a woman walking her dog with ease after learning how to stop your dog from pulling while walkingPlay a game of “follow the leader.” While holding the leash, turn around and walk backwards away from the dog. Every time your dog walks towards you, praise him with a “Yes!”, then immediately reward them with a treat.

When you take backwards steps away from your dog, it is inviting to them and they are then compelled to walk towards you. Try walking backwards in various directions and remember to praise and reward them each time their attention is on you.

Consistency is Key

Remember: for this to work, you must be consistent with this. On every walk, every single time your dog looks at you, walks nicely beside you, or somehow focuses his attention on you, you should reward by praising and giving him a treat. If you remain consistent, your dog will do everything he can to please you, if only for that reward.

Do not expect overnight results. Some dogs are easier to train, while others are more hardheaded. It may take a few days to a few weeks for your dog to get it. Just remember to stay consistent, and you will soon see results.

If Needed, Get Outside Help

Some dogs can be so set in their ways that the behavior has become a part of them. This is usually true if you have an older dog that might have had previous owners who did not train him properly. Although the old saying goes ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,’ that is not necessarily true. Before you try using a choke or “no-pull” collar, consider instead working with a certified dog trainer, specifically one that uses positive reinforcement.

Speak With Paw Pals Pet Sitting For Extra Help

If your dog is a puller while on walks, he is not a lost cause. It is possible to train him to stop pulling so that your walks together can be fun and relaxing for you both. For more information about how to stop your dog from pulling while walking, please contact Paw Pals Pet Sitting online today. We also offer walking services that can help keep your dog active while you are out of town, or if you are not able to get home in time to walk him.

Filed Under: Dog Walking, Pet Advice

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
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Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
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