The dog walk is one of the enjoyable moments every dog owner will always want to enjoy. If you own a dog and you take it on a walk regularly, you will agree with me on this. It is not only filled with the fun of enjoying outside activities, but it also helps in many other ways, one of which is keeping you and your dog healthy. This also helps your dog to widen its horizon of smelling, hearing and sight beyond the limits of your home.
Taking a walk with your dog is also a means of exercising yourself and your dog. It is widely recommended by dog veterinary doctors to take your dog out on a walk regularly. Dogs get bored when they are just kept at a corner and not taking on a walk. Dogs that don’t go on walks are always aggressive and destructive, majorly because they want to have fun, so they find all means of expressing themselves. A destructive dog is not what you want to keep.
As much as dog walks can be adventurous and fun-filled, you can encounter several unforgettable difficulties, one of which is a pulling dog. A pulling dog does not only cause you difficulties in getting him/her in the direction you want. It can cause you severe arm aches, injuries, in the means of trying to control your dog from pulling.
Dogs are naturally really excited when out for walks with different level of activities going on that amazes them. And in this situation, they want to be free and not controlled by a leash. You as a dog owner must learn how to walk with your pulling dog to ensure you are not being pulled along by your dog and also to teach them how to listen and follow your orders. This article has been written to provide you all the needed details as regard dog pull and how to walk with your pulling dog.
Why Do Dogs Pull On The Leash?
Many dog owners overly ask this question because in their bid to take their dog on a walk, they have encountered severe difficulties stopping their pulling dog or ensuring it walks at their pace. This can be frustrating and annoying and can discourage many dog owners from taking their dogs on a walk, which is in no way suitable for you and your dog. Dogs pull due to a lot of reasons, some of which you should look into as a dog owner. We have decided to look into a selected few that made our list which includes:
I. Dominance of Direction:
A myth has it that dogs pull majorly because they want to be dominant and lead. As it is always said, there can’t be two masters. You have to lead, and your dog follows. This also has its root in a myth that says, “A dog must always follow its master.”
Dogs want to pull on the leash because they want to go in the direction they want, and then you want to go in another direction. In doing this they feel they are not in control, and one of their reactions to not agreeing to be in charge is pulling on the leash and dragging you in their own choice of direction, in the process of their pulling they could cause you serious arm aches, they could even escape, they could even pull you several distances in your bid to stopping him/her.
II. Dog Anxiety:
Some factors seem to get your dog anxious when they come in contact with them, and one of their reaction to escaping is to pull. If you are not a very observant dog owner, you might not know the reason for your dog pulling.
One of the factors that can make your dog anxious is loud noise; some or the majority of dogs don’t cope in an environment where there is a loud noise and in such situations your dog pulls hastily to live in the vicinity. Coming in contact with another dog when on a dog can make your dog anxious and decide to pull either to charge at the coming dog or try to retreat if the dog is bigger. Dogs feel a sense of insecurity when another dog walks towards them, and one of the ways they deal with this is either they charge or retreat, which definitely will involve them pulling.
III. Type of Leash/ Harness Used on the Dog :
An uncomfortable dog with a too-tight leash or chaffing harness will pull hard, since their significant means of communication is body language. When your dog is in distress or discomfort from equipment that causes pain to your dog, one of its first reaction is wanting to get rid of the leash/harness used on him/her.
If you are very observant, you should be able to notice this. Dog owners must get a leash that are suitable for their dogs in this case, as this is one of the primary reasons why a lot of dogs pull. You have to watch out for signs of discomfort in your dog when this situation occurs.
IV. They Are Untrained:
Training your dog is essential for all dog owners. In this case, a reinforcement trainer might be needed. As a dog owner, you have to be able to communicate certain basic manners with your dog, one of which is walking on a leash and not pulling. This is essential because your dog knows what you want and what you don’t. This help prevents him/her from inappropriate behavior such as pulling while on a walk, inappropriate barking, destructive chewing, etc.
One of the reasons why dogs pull is because they are untrained on how to walk, and since dogs want to walk at a pace more than ours, if they are untrained, they will want to pull you at their speed and due to this fact they pull you along with their leash.
Dog Pulling On Lead Solution: Better Ways to Restrain Dog
Dog pulling on lead is very disastrous and dangerous to you because, in the process of the dog pulling, you might be severely injured. In this case, if you are faced with the challenges of your dog pulling on the lead you need to consider the solutions that have made our list and which can ultimately help you with your pulling on the lead dog which includes:
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Dog Lead Training:
As a dog owner, you have to teach your dog how to walk on the lead without pulling, either when it is on a collar, a harness or head collar. Some useful tips have been used in training dogs that pull on the lead. When you want to train your dog that pulls on the instead, load your treat bag with tasty food. After you have done this ensure that your dog sits calmly before attaching the lead.
When your dog sits calmly make sure you reward it with a treat. Set out on a walk and ensure that you reward him/her with a treat when he/she complies by walking by your side. Walk slowly and encourage it to walk slowly, when it paces ahead of you stop the treat. Continue this process, in no time your dog will comply with your leadings.
- Using Head Collars:
There are a certain breed of dogs that are heavy breeds and are very strong if you own one of these kinds of dogs, it is advisable to use a head collar especially if there is a risk of you being pulled over. The head collar is usually worn on the dog’s face, and the contact point is under the chin, this makes you have more control and this makes you teach your dog how to work loosely on the lead.
Different collars are available in dog stores and market, you must get the best dog head collar and introduce it to your dog in the right way, and the best technique must be used when doing this. If the right technique is not used, it is possible that your dog hates to wear the head collar and your dog will be frustrated and aggressive when it is supposed to be having an adventurous walk with you.
At first, when you put the head collar on your dog, if your dog has never used a head collar before, it will be so strange to him/her having a head collar on and their reaction to this is to either rubbing their face on the ground or trying to use its paw at it. This is not strange, in no time with proper techniques and with proper use of the best headcollar, your dog will get used to it.
- Using a Harness:
One of the best ways of restraining your dog that pulls is to use a harness, not just a harness but one with the best specifications and features for your dog. Harnesses that fit correctly around your dog chest in the front of his/her leg or behind are one of the best for restraining your dog from pulling. Using the right dog harness does not put pressure on your dog, or either does it cause chafing?
Using the right dog harness can be very useful and effective in the sense that it prevents your dog from pulling, from slipping out. Your dog is less likely to escape from a harness because they are most times with collars, they are very secure and safe than holding your dog.
There are different kind of dog harnesses in the market that has been designed to meet and solve your dog pulling issue. Dog harnesses come with certain suitable features that prevent your dog from pulling and also to say bye to arm dislocation, bruises, etc. that can be sustained from walking your pulling dog. Using dog harnesses is what you will consider as a smart option.
What Is the Correct Side to Walk a Dog?
This is one of the questions every dog owner has to ask and get an answer to. The specific purpose of knowing which side is correct for your dog is to gain total control of your dog and be in control of its motion and paces without any difficulties. Reading articles on the correct side your dog is supposed to walk, you discover that your dog is supposed to walk on the left.
The question is, why? It is not a necessity that your dog should walk on the left; you are free to choose the best side for your dog to walk. But then, there are several reasons why the left side is always preferable.
Traditionally most people before us have chosen to lead their dog on the left so that they can do other things with their right hand. Hunters and men of the forces hold their dogs on the left so that they can be able to run conveniently and also hold their gun on the right.
There are several reasons to which your dog may not be able to walk on the customary left-hand side due to reasons such as injury to the left arm of the dog owner, dog owner being left-handed, etc. In whatever position your dog is, it should be able to respond to commands, whether on the right-hand side or the left-hand side.
If you are left-handed, injured on your left arm or you want to choose the convenient side that your dog is supposed to walk, then it is up to you to have the best heel position that suits you. All that matters is establishing a good level of understanding between you and your dog.
Having your dog walk on the left is traditional, and it is one of the most used methods in walking dogs, but then it is up to you to decide which suits you. Walking a dog on the left helps you hold other things on the right.
Final Words for you on How to work a dog that pulls
Walking a dog that pulls, is a big problem in the sense that it is discomforting, injurious and also a very tiring experience. To walk a dog that pulls you have to take several factors into consideration, and they should be discovered and worked upon.
As a dog owner, you must be observant of what your dog likes and doesn’t, understand and create an owner to dog relationship. Understand the body language of your dog since it cannot speak. All in all, ensure that you use the methods listed in this article as they will help you walking effectively your dog that pulls.
