Establishing a good relationship with your dog means being able to take him for a walk and have him follow you. Unfortunately, many dogs get used to pulling when they are on a leash: it is a behavior that costs the owner effort, but also discomfort for the animal, as well as being potentially dangerous if the dog is too big and strong. However, don't despair if you have an adult dog that has gotten into this bad habit, as it's never too late to train him to walk leisurely and avoid pulling. You just need to have time and patience to understand what motivates him to learn and obey your commands.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Teaching an Adult Dog to Accept the Leash
Step 1. Choose the right leash
To train an adult dog to walk on a leash, it may be helpful to use one designed specifically for this purpose. In fact, it is quite short and allows you to keep the dog at your side. It will allow you to correct the bad habits of the animal quickly and effectively, distracting him from distractions.
Step 2. Avoid resorting to punishment-based training techniques
Electric, chain or prong collars are not allowed. Although you can probably be tempted to use them, know that they work because they hurt and lead the dog to associate physical pain with the pulling he exerts when on a leash. These devices could harm him, and instead of helping him to obey constructively, they are effective because of the fear they instill.
Moreover, the use of this type of collars indicates that those who are training do not have great skills, because they cannot correct the incorrect behavior of the animal in any other way. Don't earn this reputation, but train your dog in a humane way using his psychology
Step 3. Manage the emotion associated with the leash
It is very likely that the dog is no longer in the skin as soon as he sees the leash because it connects it to the walk. However, it is good that you stay calm when you start, so you are more likely to be able to train him.
- Therefore, hook and unhook the leash when you are at home, without going out. Your goal is to eliminate the assumption that if your dog has a leash, he must go for a walk.
- For example, when you are at home, attach the leash, but continue your normal routine. After 5-10 minutes, unhook it and continue as usual. Repeat this process roughly every half hour so that the dog is no longer excited when wearing the leash.
Part 2 of 2: Teaching an Adult Dog to Walk Behind the Master
Step 1. Consider why the dog is pulling on the leash
He often adopts this behavior because he is excited to reach his goal, which is usually an exciting place, full of interesting smells, like the park. The dog is an animal that repeats a behavior when it is rewarded. In this case, the act of pulling the leash is his reward because he senses that this way he will get to where he wants to go faster.
Step 2. Manage the excitement of walking out the door
Once your dog has learned to stay calm when you put the leash on him, try taking him outside. He will surely reawaken all his excitement, because this time all the signs indicate that he is about to leave. To counteract it, be foresight and set aside some time to do the following: walk out the door with the dog, close it, take a break, then go back into the house.
Repeat each step until you are bored and your dog has lost all interest in pulling on the leash, since you will likely return home without walking
Step 3. Teach him to stop pulling on the leash
It works best if you can spend a lot of time on this exercise and are prepared not to get shipped to your destination. Put the dog on a leash and leave the house quietly. As soon as it starts to pull, stop suddenly. Hold the leash firmly, without pulling the dog towards you.
- If you have to exercise, try playing ball in the garden so that when you move, you can get tired sooner.
- If you allow him to drag you along when you go to the park during the training period, you will nullify all the work done up to this point.
Step 4. Try to consolidate the correct behaviors
When the dog turns to look at you, say a hearty "BRAVO!", Then continue walking. Every three or four times he turns around, give him a reward.
Step 5. Try to train him using an alternative method if you don't get the desired results
When the dog drags you, stop and start walking in the opposite direction. If it passes you and pulls in the other direction, stop again and head elsewhere. The message you are sending him is that when he drags you he will not go anywhere, so there is no point in acting this way.
However, if you use this method when the dog tries to drag you, you will be forced to stop and remain still. He will soon realize that only you have the ability to manage the walk. You determine the time, place and speed. Once he understands that, he won't shoot anymore
Step 6. Find time for this type of training
You won't be able to change ingrained behavior in a short time. Therefore, work hard every day, but don't assume your dog will change his attitude within a week. It will likely take a lot longer for him to understand what you are communicating and behave the way you want.
- Hopefully, after about a month of walking like this, your dog will no longer take you for a walk!
- Likewise, try not to push too hard. Time and consistency will pay off more than a few intense training sessions. So, don't try to take long walks using this method. The dog would soon get tired or bored of his training.
