For any responsible dog owner, going for a daily walk is a routine task, but alongside the health and behaviour benefits, you also want to make sure that the whole experience is always a fun, pleasant and bonding one for you and your precious pup!
Something that has the potential to throw a spanner in the works is if you have an enthusiastic dog that loves nothing more than to pull on the leash. They might not realise it, but they can cause you a lot of undue stress, right!?
The question of how to stop dog leash pulling is a common one, and there are a number of ways to resolve the situation, the biggest being proper leash etiquette and manners. With high quality, durable accessories like leather dog collars, leather leashes and leather dog harnesses, you can work on improving your own skills and the skill of your canine companion.
Let’s take a closer look at everything that this involves.
Why Leash Training Matters
Good leash training is so much more than just about making a good impression at the dog park, it is really important for both the safety and overall behaviour of your furry friend. If they are tempted to perform acrobatics like lunging and pulling, or think it is fun to tangle up the leash, it can be dangerous as well as frustrating for you.
Depending on the breed of your dog, it can be very easy for them to injure their shoulder or neck areas, not to mention the increased risk of wriggling out of the gear altogether and running into the distance!
If you make the effort to really structure your walks and reinforce good behavior, you will be rewarded by a much stronger and trusting beyond with your canine companion. This, of course, will be massively aided by choosing the right kinds of leather dog collar and leather dog leashes.
Dog Leash Training Tips
Cracking the case on leash pulling is all about positive, persistent training. We’ve put together some of the most important dog leash training tips that can help to completely transform your walking experiences.
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Reward Good Behaviour Consistently
Dogs love nothing more than heaps of positive reinforcement, kind of like humans we guess! Whenever your pup is doing well walking on a loose leash, make sure to reward them with a nice treat and some praise. Doing this helps to associate the feeling of loose leash walking with a reward for them!
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Stop And Wait When Pulling Occurs
If you feel your pup starting to pull on the leash, you should stop in your tracks immediately. Stand still and wait for the leash to feel slack again before continuing with the walk. This eventually teaches your dog that pulling isn’t going to get them to where they want to be! This might take a while, but consistency is key.
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Incorporate Life Rewards
As well as the classic treats, think about adding in what we like to call ‘life rewards’ to the walk experience. These can be things like sniffing trees, greeting other dogs or being able to explore a new area of the park. These are natural motivators for dogs, and can go a long way to encouraging them to behave on their walks.
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Choose The Right Pace For Your Dog
No two dogs have the same preferred walking speed, so it’s important to make sure that you find your own pup’s sweet spot. If they are full of energy, you might have to pick up your own pace to match them. On the other hand, if you have a small or older pup, you all might want to take things a little slower. Concentrating on matching their natural pace can reduce a lot of pulling frustration for both of you!
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Maintain Consistency In Training Routines
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, consistency really is key when it comes to training! You need to make sure that all of your family members that take part in dog walking are on the same page, to avoid confusing your dog. If you are the only person who is committed to the leash pulling training, it isn’t going to stick.
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Keep Training Sessions Short And Engaging
A really big thing to remember is that even the smartest dogs have limited attention spans compared to humans! You will have the most success if you keep your training efforts to short, fun bursts of 10 to 15 minutes every walk.
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Stay Calm And Composed During Distractions
It won’t help the situation if you get too annoyed with your pup when they inevitably get distracted by things like other dogs, people or squirrels. Don’t give in to the temptation to tug on the leash, instead just stay calm and redirect their attention with a verbal command or a treat.
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Manage Distractions Proactively
It helps for you to be aware of any upcoming potential distractions on your walk route. If you notice something before you pup does, cues like ‘leave it’ or ‘watch me’ can help to keep their attention on you rather than on whatever might tempt them!
Choosing The Right Equipment
As we hinted to right at the start, making the right equipment choices really can make a world of difference. In our mind, leather collars and harnesses are the best option because they offer the perfect mix of style, durability and comfort that is needed to make your walking experience as pleasant as possible.
Benefits Of Leather Equipment
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Durability
Leather is a super strong material that can cope with the usual wear and tear of daily dog walks.
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Comfort
Unlike the range of synthetic materials on the pet store shelves, leather naturally softens over time, providing a custom and comfortable fit for your pup’s body.
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Eco Friendly
The vegetable tanned leather that we love so much is a natural, biodegradable material, which not only makes it a comfortable and durable choice, but also a sustainable one.
Choosing The Right Fit
If you do have an excitable pup that is prone to pulling on a leash, you might want to consider a wider collar that can better distribute any pressure across their neck. Leather dog harnesses are also a great alternative because they remove all pressure from the neck, massively reducing the risk of injury. The key to achieving the best fit is performing the classic ‘two finger’ test. If you can fit two of your fingers snuggly between the collar and your dog’s neck, then it’s an indicator that it fits just right.
Leather Leashes For Better Control
Leather dog leashes have proven time and time again that they offer comfortable, firm grip, which makes it a lot easier for you as the walker to manage any lunging and pulling. Leather’s naturally soft and pliable texture gives you much better control than something synthetic and slippery.
Common Challenges And Solutions
Let’s take a whistle stop tour through some of the most effective solutions to many of the most common challenges that you might encounter when going through your own leash training experiences with your dog.
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Lunging At Distractions
It’s always a good idea to redirect focus with a treat when your pup gets distracted by a squirrel or other dog. Verbal cues like ‘watch me’ can be effective too.
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Leash Anxiety
Sometimes, dogs can develop a level of anxiety around being on a leash, which inevitably leads to resistance and pulling. You can work on desensitizing them by having them wear it indoors in a safe, familiar space, and rewarding them for calm behaviour in the moment.
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Over Excitement
If you have an eager pup who just wants to get up and go, you could try to counteract this by tiring them out a little but at home with a play session before heading out.
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Stubbornness
If your pesky pup simply refuses to budge on the leash, it’s good to check for any underlying fear or discomfort. Is their gear rubbing and irritating them? Does everything fir properly? Again, treats can help to coax them into movement.
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Seeking Professional Help
At the end of the day, if you don’t feel equipped to tackle the problem all on your own, then don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a professional dog trainer. They exist for a reason, after all! It might be helpful to get some personalized assistance based on the personality and needs of your actual dog, especially if the more general tips and tricks don’t appear to be working as well as you would hope.
Explore The Best Leashes At The Lille Bjorn
When you are ready to make your next great product purchase, don’t hesitate to head to The Lille Bjorn to check out our fabulous range of premium leather dog leashes, leather dog collars and leather dog harnesses. Each and every one is designed with durability, style and comfort in mind, because we want both you and your furry friend to be as happy as possible when out on your daily walks!
If you have any specific question or want some tailor made advice based on the needs of your special pup, then our friendly customer service team is ready and waiting to hear from you. Matching up pets and owners with their perfect accessories is what we do best!
