Is Your Dog Out of Control on Walks? Here Are a Few Tips!

For those who have dogs at home, it’s common to fantasize about a wonderful afternoon date with your furry friend—going for a walk. However, reality can hit hard when you realize that your dog isn’t as well-behaved as you imagined! Often, it turns into a tug-of-war where the dog ends up walking you instead. So, how can you train your dog to walk calmly by your side without dashing off?

First, let’s explore the reasons why dogs pull on the leash. Dogs are naturally faster and stronger than humans, so walking with us can feel like they’re being forced to walk at a snail's pace, leading to resistance. Additionally, their instinct as animals drives them to want to break free when they feel restrained. So, how can we improve these innate behaviors?

• Reward at the Right Time
  If your dog behaves more calmly than usual during a walk, without getting too excited or pulling, be sure to reward them with treats. Eventually, you can also allow them to sniff things they’re interested in as a reward, which might be even more effective than treats!
  
  
• Stop Immediately When They Pull
  As soon as your dog starts to get excited and pulls on the leash, you should hold the leash tight and stop moving. This helps your dog understand that such behavior will only take them further away from their goal. After repeating this a few times, you’ll notice that the frequency of pulling decreases. Once your dog gets used to this pattern, try stopping when they pull, and wait for them to calm down before allowing them to approach something they want to sniff—this is also a great reward!
  
  
• Use Commands to Build Walking Harmony
  Before heading out for a walk, if your dog gets overly excited or starts jumping around, stop what you’re doing and ask them to sit. Once you’re outside, after walking a short distance, ask them to sit again. This behavior helps your dog understand that they need to wait for you to move before they can continue walking.