How To Train A Dog Not Pull On Leash

Introduction

If you’re like most dog owners, there’s probably something that annoys you about your dog. For some, it may be a habit where they chew on shoes, eat their own poop, or bark nonstop at the mailman. For me and my dog Skyler, it was the way he’d pull on his leash when we went on walks. This was such a pain! I tried many different things to remedy this behavior in him and had to experiment for months before finally finding a method that worked very well for us. So if you’re dealing with this problem yourself, read on for how to train a dog not to pull on leash:

Train your dog with treats

To train your dog, use positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement means rewarding good behavior (with treats) and ignoring bad behavior. Try to reward your dog for walking nicely—you might have to make a lot of stops on walks if you’re trying to train him not to pull on leash!

When training with treats, always offer them before leaving the house or begin walking again. This helps build an association between these actions and receiving rewards: once they know that they’ll receive a treat after their walk, they will want more!

You can use a clicker as well as verbal praise or petting when giving out treats; this lets your dog know exactly what he did that made you give him something good. You can also use it for other tricks you teach him later in life—it’s like saying “good job!” but in code instead of words.

Use a harness

It’s important to remember that a harness is not a substitute for training. Harnesses are helpful when training your dog because they offer more control, but they don’t solve the problem of pulling. In fact, if you use a collar and leash at the same time as a harness, it could actually make things worse by adding another point of pressure against their trachea (the area between your dog’s neck and larynx).

When choosing which harness to purchase, keep in mind that there are two main types: front-fastening or back-fastening. Front-fastening harnesses have rings on either side at the front of the chest; some also have additional rings along their length so that you can connect more than one leash attachment point if desired—for example, one around each shoulder blade and one around each hind leg. Back-fastening harnesses attach around your dog’s back through buckles or clips instead of rings at the front.

Give your dog something to carry.

Another way to train a dog not to pull on leash is to give your dog something to carry. Dogs love carrying things, so this is a great way for them to learn that pulling doesn’t get them treats or toys or anything else they want. The best thing for them to carry is an empty plastic bottle, which you can get at any grocery store or gas station. The reason we recommend an empty bottle rather than an actual treat pouch is that if you give a treat pouch with treats in it, the dog will become excited when he sees the pouch and start pulling even more than before just because he wants those treats!

You can also use your imagination here—there are many different types of things that you could put in there: balls, sticks (if they don’t have sharp ends), ropes…the list goes on! When he starts walking without pulling so much and being able to focus more on his new “job” rather than trying desperately not lose his balance while trying desperately not lose his balance while trying desperately not lose…you get where we’re going with this?

Stop the walk if he tries to pull you

If he tries to pull you, stop and wait. When he stops pulling and walks by your side, praise him for good walking and continue the walk.
If you have a short leash, use it instead of a long one. A short leash is easier for both of you to manage because it’s less likely to get tangled up in things if he pulls on it.
To prevent him from pulling when off-leash or leashed but not being walked properly in all other situations, consider using a harness instead of a collar (and/or head halter). Harnesses distribute force over more surface area than collars do; this makes them less likely to hurt your dog’s neck if he pulls on his leash. Some harnesses can also be designed so that they’re difficult for dogs to back out of (which reduces their likelihood of running away), while others are designed specifically not to cause any discomfort during normal walks—and some even allow dogs who tend toward aggression toward other dogs while on leashes an opportunity for exercise without compromising safety!

Teach him the “touch” command

The “touch” command is a good way to get your dog’s attention when you need it. It also helps you control your dog’s behavior, because if he ignores the command, you can tell him no and walk away until he listens.

To begin training your dog the touch command, first hold a treat in front of his nose and say “touch.” When he puts his nose on the treat, reward him with praise and another treat. Then raise one hand up above his head so that it’s about chest height for him (remember, there are different sizes of dogs). Command him to “touch” by saying “good boy!” in excitement when he reaches out and touches either your hand or fingers with his nose. Once again reward this action with praise and food treats. Over time, gradually move the hand upwards until it’s at eye level so that eventually even when standing still next to each other both hands will be at neck height instead of chest or face height only respectively – this means that once trained correctly no leash is necessary!

Consider structured walks.

Structured walks are a great way to get your dog used to being on a leash, and they’re a good way for you both to bond.

You can start by putting the leash on your dog first thing in the morning, before you bring them outside. Your dog will be more likely to associate this action with going outside, rather than being dragged by the collar or choke chain through the house.
Keep in mind that if your dog has never been walked before, they may not know what’s expected of them when they’re out of their usual territory and might try to run away from you—especially if it is something new for them!

Teaching a dog not to pull on a leash is not an easy task, but it can be done.

There are a few things you need to consider before beginning this training. The most important thing is consistency. Make sure that every time your dog pulls on the leash, you stop moving forward and wait for him or her to relax, then start walking again. This can be difficult if your dog is excited about something like meeting other dogs or going for a walk, but it’s worth trying as soon as possible because it will help establish who has control over the situation.

Once you have mastered teaching your dog not to pull on a leash while walking slowly in one direction, try turning around and walking in another direction without pulling back on them again until they are comfortable doing so without any tension on their part (and yours).

Conclusion

We hope that this information has been useful to you. Remember, the most important thing is consistency! Spend some time working on your dog’s leash training every day and make sure that he walks on a loose leash as often as possible. If you continue to use these tips and keep up with your dog’s training, he’ll be off-leash in no time!