Lead Training

Does your dog take YOU for a walk, dragging you at the end of the lead? You are not alone, and the solution is easier than you might think.

Equipment:

For proper lead training, your dog's collar should be fitted so you can just get 2 fingers between the upper part of your dog's neck and the collar. If it is too loose, your dog could easily back out of it if they get spooked by something. The use of prong or shock collars is painful and unnecessary. If you feel frustrated enough to resort to their use, contact your local Bark Buster's trainer for help.

The lead should be 2 metres and made out of cotton which is durable and soft on the hands. Your dog should feel freedom to move, not restraint from being held back. If you physically hold them in place it is tiring for you and uncomfortable for your dog. Also, dogs are natural pullers and if they feel restraint of any type, they will only pull more. This is also a common trigger resulting in dog aggression.

Your dog should be taught to follow, not lead. If they start out by leading you to the door, turn around and call them the other way. Make it a game of follow the leader, with YOU always in the lead. When you stop, they stop, not the other way around. When you turn, they turn without being pulled by the lead. It is important that you call them and entice them to follow you, not to force them by pulling or yanking on the lead. If you are more interesting to them than the smells, dogs, kids, cars on their walks, then they will focus on you instead of all the other distractions. Praise them for following you.

A walk is about communicating with your dog, not about physically controlling them. If you find that they continue to pull on lead and regard other things on their walk more than you, contact your local Bark Buster's trainer who can teach you how to have a more enjoyable walk, for you and your dog.

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