I recently acquired a three-year-old retriever mix puppy. When we go outside, he gets really enthusiastic and will not stop dragging the leash. He will simply pull to wherever location he wants to go, even if I am heading in a different way.
How can I put an end to and fix this? Otherwise, he is a hoodie.
Stop walking.
You control the walk. If the dog pulls, we stop. Once the dog releases tension, we move forward. If it pulls again, we stop.
There might be days when you only make it three houses in half an hour, but your dog will learn.
@CanineCathy The key is to stop walking. However, it’s also crucial to make sure their energy level isn’t at 100. Make sure your eager dog isn’t jumping out of the home or spinning around the door since an excited dog doesn’t think.
When you open the door, a dog that is ready for a walk should be sitting quietly and waiting for the leash, not barging in or attempting to push past. Excited dogs don’t think; calm dogs do.
But my dog has this all figured out. It’s difficult for me to determine whether she is truly pulling because she walks just on the verge of pulling. She only tickles the pull, but she has to be in front of me. When she pulls, I do stop, which I believe is beneficial. Her age is 1.5 years old.
I use shredded boiled chicken as an external reward since she didn’t respond to her usual training treats indoors. I never use the chicken indoors.
During walks, I aim for a loose leash. If it tightens, I call her name. If she looks at me, I reward her with a “good girl” or chicken, but I vary the rewards randomly. I also gently tug while saying “heel,” which seems to be effective more often than not.
When we encounter a trigger, I have her sit and observe. As the trigger approaches, I use chicken to reinforce her sitting. If she remains calm and doesn’t react to the trigger, she gets generous chicken rewards and verbal praise.
If she’s too excited even for chicken, I guide her into a sit and stay as motionless as possible, giving her time to relax. Once she’s calm, I reward her with chicken and continue.
We’re far from perfect, but we’re making progress. Sometimes our walks take longer, though I’m not a professional dog trainer.
To address leash pulling, start with consistent training using positive reinforcement. Reward desired behaviors like walking beside you calmly. Use treats, toys, and praise. Consider professional training for more persistent issues.