Our dogs love going on walks and exploring new places so we can see how their excitement can cause them to start pulling when on walks.

Training your dog to walk with a loose lead takes time and effort but it’s worth it in the long run to have hassle free walks with your dog.

Here are our top tips to make walking beside you fun & rewarding for your pooch.

Choosing the Right Collar and Lead for Your Dog

Make sure your dog is comfortable and safe in their collar or harness before walks. 

If their equipment is too loose your dog could escape and if it’s too tight your dog will be uncomfortable and unable to move easily. Check our blog post hereon choosing the best collar and lead or ask our experts in store!

Rewards

Start training in your home or garden without a lead where your dog will be familiar and comfortable.

Find the highest value treat for your dog like small pieces of chicken, sausage or their favourite toy. Call your dog to you and reward them when they are where you want them to be, ideally right beside your knee.

Starting to Move

When your dog is standing or sitting by your knee, give a cue to walk and take one or two steps forward. If they follow, reward at knee level again (If not, call and then reward at knee level).

Practice without a lead at first then introduce it when your dog is reliably following you. Do regular short sessions over a couple of days. Now that your dog knows what’s asked of them you can try it outside in quiet areas where there won’t be too many distractions for your dog.

Start with small steps again and work your way up slowly. As your dog learns, increase distraction slowly.

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How to React to Bad Behaviour

When your dog starts pulling, stop walking and don’t interact until the pulling stops.

Wait for your dog to stop pulling before calling to heel and starting to walk again. If they continue to pull, try walking in the opposite direction. Going the way your dog wants tells them that pulling gets them where they want to go - the opposite of what you want!

Keeping Walks Fun for Your Dog

Remember walks are important stress relievers for dogs as well as a great form of exercise!

Letting your dog occasionally sniff and explore your route keeps them engaged and happy. Consider getting a long lead when going for walks in interesting areas that your dog might like to explore like the beach to prevent them from pulling you along in excitement.

Pop into any our Petworld stores where one of our staff members can help you find the right lead, collar, treat to get you and your dog out exploring in peace.

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If you have more questions, reach out to our nearest petworld store or call us now