One of the most common reasons dogs pull on their lead is because they've learned that's how they get to move forward. Whenever your dog pulls, taking just one step with them gives a clear signal that pulling works. Teaching your dog to walk with a loose lead takes a great deal of patience and time.
Why do dogs pull on the leash? Dogs pull to get where they are going. Dogs want to engage with the environment, and humans, to a dog, can be slow. Wearing a leash and being tethered to a human is not a “natural” behavior for dogs.
Contrary to popular belief, your dog pulling when walking is not a way of exhibiting dominance. Rather, the reason they do this is quite simple. They are excited, so excited in fact that they don't want their walk to end and so they keep moving forward.
If at any time your dog reacts negatively, simply turn around and walk away from the situation until he calms down enough to play again or accept food. If your dog is reacting negatively, you have decreased the distance too quickly. Move the helper dog back to a distance where your dog can relax and repeat the process.
When your dog pulls, issue a 'Let's Go' cue, turn away from him and walk off in the other direction, without jerking on the leash. You can avoid yanking by motivating your dog to follow you with an excited voice to get his attention. When he is following you and the leash is relaxed, turn back and continue on your way.
Harnesses (especially the front-clip variety) can cut down on your dog's tendency to pull as you walk. Because harnesses cover more of your dog's surface area than a small collar does, the pressure is spread out more, giving you more control as you walk. This can ultimately make the walk easier on both of you.
The time it takes for your dog to be trained not pull on the leash will vary. However, for most dog parents, working 5-10 minutes a day for 5-7 days will get them results. Remember, start inside. Once your dog is walking calmly next to you inside, start to take them outside.
While some dogs naturally walk calmly and politely all their lives with no specific instruction, that's certainly not the norm. Most dogs need to learn how to do it. Bring top-quality treats on every walk and give them to your pup whenever they are doing the right thing: walking without pulling you.
Because they're used to moving forward while pulling the behavior itself has been encouraged, and a dog's natural reflex is to oppose restraint. But if you're consistent you can break that habit, and over time you can put and end to all that pulling by showing your dog that walking by your side is much more rewarding.
When a dog pulls on its leash, it restricts blood flow to its eyes and ears. When blood flow is cut off on a regular basis, it causes swelling, and constant swelling damages your dogs organs and appendages.
Huskies, like malamutes, are renowned for their weight pulling ability (see: sled dog competitions).
Head Halter
They act very much like a horse's halter (but not a bit and bridle) in that they control the front of a dog's muzzle. In short, they pull the dog's head sideways when they pull. This is a very effective tool to stop pulling.
Let your dog sniff his leash and harness to get used to it. Attach the leash to the harness and show it to him. Introducing these pieces as his will get him used to them and get him excited for walks with you in the future. As he sniffs and acknowledges the leash and harness, click and treat.
Approximately 35% of owners and trainers voted 8-9 months as the toughest age citing new challenging behaviors associated with their puppy's now larger size such as pulling on the leash or counter-surfing.
It has been a long-held belief that black dogs are the toughest to rehome. Their color means they do not photograph so easily, some people are superstitious about their color, and they don't stand out so well alongside dogs with brighter coats.
When a dog pulls on its leash, it restricts blood flow to its eyes and ears. When blood flow is cut off on a regular basis, it causes swelling, and constant swelling damages your dogs organs and appendages.
Obvious injuries caused by pulling and jerking are to the trachea and neck. Less obvious are the injuries to nerves and vertebrae which can cause permanent damage as well as lead to other medical issues such as organ damage, paralysis, or neurological issues.