Your dog doesn't pull on the leash because they're trying to be dominant, they do it because it works. In other words, if you're behind your dog on walks and they're pulling you're teaching them to pull even more. That pulling is being rewarded because it keeps them moving forward and getting to where they want to go.
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. Many dogs will naturally “lean in” when they feel pressure on their collars and strain forward.
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.
Pulling gets them where they want to go, and it gets them their at their own pace. Your dog doesn't pull on the leash because they're trying to be dominant, they do it because it works. In other words, if you're behind your dog on walks and they're pulling you're teaching them to pull even more.
Stop walking when the lead starts to tighten
Teach your dog that walking next to you with a loose lead means they get to move forward – and pulling means they don't. The second the lead starts to tighten, stop walking. Stand still, keep quiet and don't move forward again until the lead is slack. …
Leash pulling
If he pulls, you stop. You can also redirect by quickly doing a 180 and calling him back to your side. Be consistent – don't let him pull you, and make sure others who walk him also won't let him pull.
Dogs who are yanked suffer from problems including frustration, anxiety, stress; elevated heart rate, blood pressure, corticosteroids; damage to the neck, thyroid and salivary glands, and possibly their eyes. Humans anecdotally report more coughing and hacking.
Lack of proper training methods, distractions and aggression are a few causes of leash pulling. Understanding how dogs learn (hint: repetition and reinforcement) will help even the most frustrated pet owners (including you!) teach their dogs to walk nicely.
They mouth or nip during play, or out of excitement or impatience: Some dogs may mouth your hand or nip at your heels while playing with you, especially when they're excited or being chased. Herding breeds and those with a higher prey drive may also nip or bite as a natural instinct.
Harnesses don't cause pulling.
Proper leash manner does not mean that the dog can only walk in a prong or with a no-pull harness, but as soon as it comes off, they pull like a freight train. These tools can be used as part of different training methods to discourage pulling AND encourage good behavior.
In general, harnesses are easier on dogs than collars. For example, a good harness can alleviate back pain. They're also far less likely to pull on your dog's throat, causing injury. If you have a dog that loves to pull hard while walking, you'll want to consider a harness.
Understand Why Dogs Lunge
The least likely is aggression. Although rare, some dogs truly want to do harm. Fear is a far more common motivator. Using the “I'll get it before it gets me” strategy, dogs lunge to try to make the feared person, dog, or other object go away.
The good news is you can train your dog to walk nicely on the lead using reward-based training. Dogs will pull on the lead if they're excited or if they have lots of energy, so it may be worth making sure your dog has some playtime and a chance to run so they pull less when you're out walking them.
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.
Dog breeds that pull on their leashes a lot tend to have a lot of thyroid issues. Many veterinarians speculate that thyroid problems happen when a leash pushes on your dog's thyroid regularly; this consistent trauma can eventually lead to inflammation and bruising.
There's almost never a time when screaming and yelling at your dog is acceptable. 'Unless your dog is about to run into a busy road and come to serious harm, I wouldn't ever use any form of harsh voice,' she added. 'Instead, it's about rewarding good behaviour, not punishing the bad. '
On top of potentially evoking defensive aggression, hitting dogs may cause them to become insecure. They may cower, engage in submissive urination and have low self-esteem. They may no longer walk with their heads high; they will rather walk with their tail between their legs and their head carried low.
Practice having them walk next to you on a loose leash. Then have them sit multiple times on a walk just because you asked them too. You can also change your walking speed or normal route. All of these things will help your dog learn that you are in control on a walk.