Dont Let Fido Pull You!

How often have you driven around and saw a dog taking his owner for a quick run around the block? This might well be the single most frustrating problem most dog owners experience with their dogs. They then take their dogs to doggie school, where their dogs heel perfectly after a few lessons. But the moment they take their dogs for, what is suppose to be an enjoyable stroll around the block, the marathon race starts all over again. Most dog owners just want their dogs to walk next to them with a loose leash or even without a leash. Nobody wants a dog pulling them around the block.

So how can you teach your new puppy to walk next to you and not pulling on the leash?
Here are a few points to remember:
1. You will start all your dog training in a low distraction area in your house or garden.
2. You should change direction very often. That will ensure that your puppy will be more focussed on you.
3. You do NOT allow your puppy or large dog to pull you NEVER! You should either stand still or you change direction, but you do not move in the direction the dog is pulling.

With that in mind, you start again with the clicker in one hand. You can hold the clicker and the leash in your right hand and treats in your left hand. You just start walking and with an exited voice encouraging your puppy to walk with you. The exact moment your puppy is in the heel position, you click and give him a treat. You do that every time he is in the correct position.

Your puppy will most probably jump up to try to get to the treat. Just ignore that and just click and treat when he is in the heel position and not when he is jumping. He will soon realise where he should be to get that treat. The moment he walks in front of you, change direction. Do not say anything. When he comes into the heel position you can say heel, click and treat. The moment he starts sniffing, again you change direction and repeat the above process.

You will follow the exact procedure when you walk out the front gate. Just remember there are lots of distractions, smells, other dogs behind fences, people, traffic and so on. So keep training sessions very short and start out in a quiet street where there are not many dogs and traffic. Take it slowly and do not expect too much too soon. Do not get frustrated if your first walk in the street is only 5 meters. The important thing is that you do not ever allow your dog to pull you. If you allow him to pull you for even just one meter, he will learn that if he pulls harder next time, he might move you two meters. If you are consistent in not allowing him to pull you, he will soon realise that pulling will not get him to the field. If you are consistent, you will be successful.