From Pulling Pest to Perfect Pup! The Gentle Guide to Loose Leash Walking You NEED to Read

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Is walking your puppy sometimes less of a walk in the park and more of a… drag? 😅

You’re not alone!

It’s super common for our furry friends to turn into little pulling machines on the leash, but guess what?

It doesn’t have to be that way!

Training your puppy to walk nicely on a loose leash is totally achievable, and it’s one of the kindest things you can do for both of you…

Today, we’re watching and reviewing the excellent dog training skills of Training Positive. A video from Training Positive, with a step-by-step guide to loose leash walking, is at the end of this article.

Ready to transform your walks from stressful tug-of-wars into enjoyable strolls?

Let’s dive in and learn how to make loose leash walking a reality for you and your pup! 🐕‍🦺

Why Do Puppies Pull on the Leash Anyway? 🤔

Ever wondered why your adorable little fluffball suddenly turns into a mini-huskie pulling a sled when you clip on that leash?

Well, it’s not because they’re trying to be naughty, promise!

There are actually a couple of really understandable reasons behind this common puppy behavior…

Firstly, the world is just SO exciting for them! 🤩

Think about it…

Imagine experiencing everything for the first time, and with a super-powered nose that can sniff out a million interesting smells!

That’s puppyhood in a nutshell!

Every walk is a brand new adventure, packed with fascinating scents and sights…

It’s like their noses are little vacuum cleaners, hoovering up all the amazing information the world has to offer.

Combine that natural curiosity with the sheer excitement of being out and about, and… pulling can become their go-to way of exploring.

Secondly, and this might surprise you, pulling often gets accidentally rewarded…

Yep, you read that right!

Think about it – your puppy pulls, the leash tightens, and what happens next?

Usually, they get to sniff that interesting lamppost or dash towards another dog, right? In their minds, pulling = getting what they want!

It’s a bit of a sneaky learning curve that happens without us even realizing it sometimes…

This unintentional positive reinforcement can quickly turn into a pulling habit. 😬

The Sneaky Cycle of Pulling… 🔄

And here’s where it can get a little tricky…

This accidental rewarding of pulling can create a bit of a vicious cycle.

It often starts small, maybe just a little tug here and there…

But the more your puppy pulls and gets to explore or sniff, the more they learn that pulling works!

It’s effective for them in getting to what they want, so guess what?

They’re likely to pull even more over time.

It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, this pulling thing gets me places!” 🤦‍♀️

Adding to the mix is something called the opposition reflex.

It’s a natural instinct in dogs to pull against pressure…

Think of it like when you lean into something that’s pushing you – it’s just a natural reaction.

So, when your puppy feels the leash pressure from pulling, their instinct is often to pull back even harder!

It’s not stubbornness; it’s just how they’re wired.

Understanding this reflex is key to training them to walk nicely. 😉

Teaching Your Puppy to “Give” to the Leash – The Gentle Approach 😇

So, now we know why puppies pull…

But don’t worry, it’s not all bad news!

The amazing thing about dogs is how smart and trainable they are!

We can absolutely teach them to walk on a loose leash, and it starts with understanding that opposition reflex and working with it, not against it.

The secret?

Rewarding them for giving in to the leash pressure. Yes!

Think of it like this: instead of focusing on stopping the pulling (which can feel like a constant battle), we’re going to focus on teaching them what we do want them to do…

And that’s to relax into the leash and walk nicely by our side.

Ready to get started? Here’s the first step…

Start in a Calm, Quiet Space 🧘‍♀️

To begin with, find a low-distraction environment…

Your living room, backyard, or a quiet hallway are perfect.

We want to set your puppy up for success, and a calm space helps them focus on learning without getting overwhelmed by the exciting smells and sights of the outside world just yet.

Grab your leash, some yummy treats (the good stuff!), and let’s get to work! 🦴

Now, with your puppy on leash, gently apply very slight pressure on the leash…

Just a tiny bit of tension.

The moment your puppy gives in to that pressure – even just a little head turn or a step back towards you – mark that behavior with a word like “yes!” or a clicker if you use one.

And then, the magic word… treat! 🎉

We’re making it super clear to them: “Giving in to the leash = good things happen!“

Focus on the Feeling, Not Just Words 🤫

Here’s a little tip: at this early stage, avoid using verbal cues like “heel” or “walk nicely” just yet.

We want your puppy to focus on understanding the feeling of the leash pressure and what happens when they respond to it correctly.

It’s all about body language and creating a positive association with that gentle leash pressure.

Think of it as a silent conversation with your puppy, where the leash is doing the talking…

And treats are the reward for listening! 😉

I remember when I first started this with Winston, my black Labrador…

He was about the same age as a young pup and full of beans!

He’s usually so well-behaved, especially for a Labrador, but even Winston needed to learn the art of loose leash walking.

He’s three years old now and still loves his walks, especially when we go to the park or the beach.

It took a little patience and lots of tasty treats, but now our walks are so much more enjoyable for both of us. 🥰

Leash = Connection, NOT Control! 🤝

It’s really important to remember that at this stage, the leash isn’t about controlling or directing your puppy…

It’s about communication and building a connection!

Our goal here is to teach your puppy to want to stay close to you, to pay attention to your movements, and to understand that walking with a loose leash is a rewarding experience.

Think of the leash as a gentle guide, not a tool for force. It’s about teamwork, puppy-parent style! 🐾❤️

As your puppy starts to get the hang of responding to leash pressure in your quiet practice area, you can gradually introduce distractions.

Start with slightly more interesting environments – maybe your front yard, then the sidewalk outside your house, and then slowly progress to busier areas.

Set them up for success at each stage…

If you notice your puppy is starting to pull or get distracted, it’s a sign to either go back a step to a less distracting environment or make the reward even more enticing!

It’s all about finding that sweet spot where they can learn and succeed. 😊

Building the Foundation for Amazing Walks 🏞️

This gentle approach of teaching your puppy what you want them to do, instead of just correcting what you don’t want, is way more effective in the long run.

It builds a positive association with leash walking and encourages your puppy to be a willing partner in the process.

Punishing them for pulling, especially when they don’t yet understand what’s expected, can just lead to confusion and stress for both of you.

Let’s keep it positive and fun! 🎉

As your puppy gets better and better at responding to leash pressure and walking nicely in different environments, you can start to reduce the amount of food rewards…

But keep the praise and positive reinforcement coming!

You can also start to introduce verbal cues like “let’s go” or “easy” to help guide them.

And guess what?

You’re well on your way to enjoying amazing loose leash walks with your furry best friend! 🥳

So, there you have it!

Loose leash walking for puppies isn’t a myth, it’s a skill that you can absolutely teach with patience, positive reinforcement, and a little bit of know-how…

Happy walking! 🚶‍♀️🐕

Find out more at: Dog Training Tutorials

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