Your faithful 4-legged companion, who does not have the same rhythm as you, naturally walks faster than you on a walk. As you move at a steady pace, your dog may want to pick up the pace, then slow down before walking a few meters to the side and moving on again.
In addition, an interesting smell under a bush, tracks left by another animal or a friend seen on the street corner can encourage him to walk faster. In this case, the leash limits his movements and he tends to pull it when it is tight.
Why does your dog pull on a leash?
Often this behavior has been reinforced without you realizing it. For example, when Medor wants to sniff the base of a tree and it pulls, you still move forward. A few seconds later, your dog reaches his goal thanks to the tension on the leash. He therefore learned that shooting is a good strategy to get what he wants!
In addition to the many stimuli outside, your companion may also be overcome by excitement. Some dogs are difficult to control when they set foot outside or arrive in a place they like. In other cases, a pooch may pull on his leash because he feels frustrated or worried.
And in the puppy? He is discovering everything and has not yet learned to adapt his appearance to that of his human. Learning to walk on a leash must be implemented to ensure their well-being and safety.
Woopets' advice: how to stop your dog from pulling on the leash?
To teach your dog to walk without pulling, we invite you to focus on positive education. Start the exercise in a quiet place, then gradually increase distractions. A busy street or a park full of other people requires much more concentration.
When the leash remains relaxed, reward him (treat, caress, etc.). But as soon as it starts pulling, stop and wait for the tension to subside before moving again. Over time, your faithful companion will understand the rule: he can move forward with a relaxed leash; but doesn't get what he wants any faster by pulling.
In case of major difficulties, do not hesitate to seek advice from a professional dog trainer.