How To End Leash Pulling for an Older Puppy!

Is your older puppy dragging you everywhere anytime you go outside or on a walk? Did you wait until they are 6 months old or older to start trying to leash train, and now it seems impossible?

The best and easiest way is always to start when they are 8-10 weeks old, by letting them drag a leash around the house to get used to one, then teaching them to not pull by rewarding them anytime they release tension in the leash and come towards you with a treat.

But many think they should wait until they are 4-6 months old to start leash training and then let their dogs pull so hard they choke themselves the whole time they're walking, or seeing another dog, any little rabbit, squirrel or cat, or another friendly face! Who really thinks this is a pleasant way to go for a walk? Certainly not me! I expect my children to behave when we are out in public, and no less from our dogs.

I am not an advocate for choke collars. However, with an older or strong puppy, the quickest way to accomplish this training is with a prong collar with soft, covered prongs. The difference between the prong collar and choke collar is that the prong collar will only tighten mildly and stop, applying pressure evenly around the entire neck, which doesn't choke them.

Take your puppy on your driveway with the prong collar and leash, and a pocketful of their favorite treat. Start walking, and as soon as your dog gets to the end of the leash and begins to pull, pivot yourself 180 degrees, quickly giving the leash a firm, but not hard jerk. Don't say anything. Your dog should jump a bit and look very surprised and quickly turn around and start walking the opposite direction with you. As soon as they turn and start coming toward you, reward with a treat and a "yes!" Continue walking that direction until your puppy again gets to the end of the leash and pulls and do the same thing again. Give the leash a quick and firm jerk, turn without talking or even looking at your dog and keep walking the opposite direction. Reward when they come towards you. Your dog by this time should be starting to watch you to see when he should expect another turn out of the blue, and if they are near your side and looking at you, reward with a treat! This is what you want- them walking by your side and watching you constantly, out of the corner of their eye.

It should only take 2-4 sudden 180 turns with a jerk on the leash for your dog to be quickly getting the idea and figuring out they better be watching you to see what's coming next.

Reward every so often for them being right by your side and looking up at you. When they get the idea they are to be right by your side, not in front or behind you, and they are frequently giving you their attention, start stopping suddenly and teach them to sit by your side when you stop, and then reward for that behavior.

Do this exercise for 10 min for several days, and you should have a new dog! When they do this exercise well, up the challenge and go for a walk where there are more distractions, like other people or dogs. Continue the same steps if necessary, to remind them their job is to still be by your side and watching you. Whenever you stop, they should be sitting quietly by your side until you begin walking again. Giving your dog a job to do, by remembering to stay in a sit while you are chatting with a neighbor or taking a break, they are less likely to be barking, jumping on people, or other unwanted behavior. By this time you should have a new puppy/dog and be enjoying your walks and trips outside much more!