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Tools To Teach Loose Leash Walking | PUPPYFAQS

Tools to Teach Loose Leash Walking

teaching your dog training cues

Dogs love the time of the day when they go out for their daily walk. They become happy and excited because our pooches enjoy exploring the world outside. But as soon as you walk out your otherwise well-behaved dog may begin to whine or lose control because he wants to explore.

For dog-parents and pet sitters, having to pull on the leash continually doesn’t only cause the arms to ache but also poses a danger. Your dog may get away and lick or eat up something poisonous.

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Therefore it is vital to train loose leash walking to your dog. If you are one of the troubled dog-parents, this guide is just what you need.

Tips to Keep in Mind:

  • Before moving on to the required tools, I will discuss a few tips that must be kept in mind. You need to remember that patience is critical; it will take time for your dog to learn. The primary reason dogs begin to pull is that they want to roam around freely, but the leashes hinder their motion. It irritates the dog, and he may indicate his annoyance by barking or continuing to pull with greater force.
  • Don’t shout or punish your dog instead train him calmly and he will quickly learn. Begin the training as a game, use cues to tell your dog what to do and reward him every time he complies with your commands. It will help reinforce positive behavior.
  • Make sure your dog gets exercise before you take him for training as the excess energy if not drained, may cause problems. Teach your dog where sniffing is allowed and where it isn’t. Begin the practice by taking him to an enclosed field as that would be a safer option.

Tools that Can Help You Train Your Pooch:

No-Pull Harness:

no pull-harness for dog

There are different leashes and collars available, but a no-pull leash for dogs is the ideal equipment because it offers better control than the others. When your pup exerts a force on the harness, it makes him feel uncomfortable due to which he releases the tension.

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It is critical to choose a device that doesn’t trigger pain to discourage your dog from pulling which is why these are the best. There are different kinds that you can purchase, each with its pros and cons.

Front Range Harness:

It has two attachment points; you can also adjust it for dogs of different sizes. It comfortably fits around the dog and doesn’t have any straps around the shoulders. The only drawback is the ring being a little small in size.

Body Harness:

It is the type that embraces the dog’s waist to prevent exerting pressure on his throat. It distributes the force uniformly on your pup’s body hence it doesn’t cause your dog any discomfort while providing maximum control. It is ideal for large dogs.

Head Halters:

head leash in car

Not to be mistaken for a muzzle, the head halter is a tool that allows you to control big dogs with minimal strength. It goes over the dog’s nose and neck; some varieties go from under the chin. 

It helps you manage the dog’s head, and the entire body follows accordingly. Make sure it isn’t tight enough for your pooch to cause discomfort.

Treats for your Pooch!

giving treat to puppy

These help in teaching your dog to be well-behaved. Whenever your pup pulls on the leash, start walking in a different direction. When your dog follows, reward your puppy for complying with your instructions.

Training Cues:

teaching your dog training cues

Use your voice or anything that interests your dog as a cue. Whenever your dog pulls on the leash, turn in the reverse direction and give him the signal to follow. Gradually your dog will learn that he has to walk in your direction, praise him each time he follows the cue.

Final thoughts:

These tools can be quite useful however you need to keep in mind that the equipment won’t train the dog. You’ll have to put in the time and effort to teach your pup. 

Furthermore for harnesses always try to accustom your dog to the equipment before making your pooch wear it for the training. Combine these tools with practical teaching skills and your dog will quickly learn the art of loose leash walking.

If you have a favorite leash or harness for your dog, let me know below in the comments.

Liz

I'm a self-employed blogger, life-long pet parent, and lover of dogs. I have always loved animals, especially puppies. So when my family got our first dog 15 years ago, it was love at first sight. We named her Sassy because she was so small, cute, and had a sassy personality! Once we got her home, I wanted to know everything about caring for her, so I researched online. Eventually, this led me to create the PUPPYFAQS website, where I write about nutrition, health, and care of puppies and the latest news in the world of puppies. In my spare time, I volunteer at my local shelter, which is run by volunteers who are passionate about helping homeless dogs find their forever homes. If I'm not working or volunteering for dogs, you can find me spending time with my family, friends, and my puppy. I have been writing professionally online since 2009. In addition to PUPPYFAQS, I also write for several other pet-related publications.

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