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Home » How to Train a Dog to Walk on a Leash Without Pulling

How to Train a Dog to Walk on a Leash Without Pulling

Is your dog a rescue dog? Or is he a young puppy? Either way, you will need to learn how to teach a dog to walk on a leash if you want to go on successful walks together. An important step in training a dog is to get them to walk on a leash or lead when they are young. You might even want to start walking your dog using a dog harness during training to get them used to it. This can have many advantages, but in this article, we will focus on how to train a dog to walk on a leash.

Training a rescue dog to walk on a leash:

Leash training a rescue dog can be tricky. Learning how to leash train an older dog takes a little more patience as you have to correct previously learned issues before you start. You have made an amazing choice by opting to bring a rescue dog into your home. You have saved an unlucky dog and given them a second chance. For this, you are saluted. However, rescue dogs can come with their share of problems and that is why many choose a puppy instead. One of the most common problems with a rescue dog is they may be afraid of walking on a leash or they may even be scared of going outside for walks. Some rescue dogs seem to fear everything and due to their background, we can’t blame really them. But you need to learn how to train a dog to walk on the leash even more in this case.

In this post, I will explain how to get your dog over his phobia of the collar and lead so you can properly walk your rescue dog as long as conditions are safe for a dog walk. After some training, you should be able to take your rescue dog on normal walks just as any other owner would. Your dog will love being taken for a walk on a leash.

In fact, he will love walking on a leash so much that, once he knows that’s what you’re doing, he’ll probably try to pull you into the next room to get your shoes for you!

a rescue dog wants to be trained how to walk on a leash too
A rescue animal can be a rewarding pet

You’ll soon be able to go for walks together wherever and whenever you want. Every time you take your dog for a walk you’ll see the difference in his behavior. He’ll be calmer, happier, and better behaved. And you’ll feel good because you’ll be doing something healthy for him.

Is your rescue dog afraid of the leash?

Sometimes it may seem as though your rescue dog is insecure and even afraid of everything. They may even be scared of walks. Try not to take this personally. This is simply a natural response to a troubled background in your pet. You do not know what they have been exposed to, after all. When you bring a rescue dog home you do not know his past history well. You may be armed with a few facts, but for the most part, there will be some major blanks. There are several main reasons a rescue dog will not walk on a lead:

  • Your dog might never have been walked properly. Or may never have even been let outside the property they were kept in before you took ownership of the animal.
  • Your pet may have gained an irrational fear or using a lead or a collar. We do not know why this is but know that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.
  • The dog in question may be afraid to go outside. There are lots of mental stimuli outdoors that may cause a dog to overreact and panic. This can present itself in a variety of signs and behaviors. 
  • Your rescue dog might be unsure how to walk properly on a leash without pulling. They may also have other issues with knowing how to walk properly. You might have an idea of how your stroll will go, but your pet might have another totally different one!

If you’re lucky, you’ll have a dog that was already trained to walk on a leash. However, many dogs have never learned. They pull and pull, and you feel like you’re being tugged right off your feet. Or possibly, your dog is extremely anxious and fearful of walking on a lead. If this is the case, then teaching your dog to walk on a leash is worth the effort.

how to train dogs as puppies

It’s a great way to work with your dog and to desensitize him to the world. Your dog will be happier and more relaxed, and you will be calmer, too.

It’s amazing how quickly dogs learn to walk on a lead. In fact, you can teach your dog to get used to the lead and collar in as little as 15 minutes. And once your dog learns to walk like this, then you can go everywhere with him. You’ll be able to get your dog out of the house and into the real world even if they won’t walk to start with.

It’s all up to you. In the next few steps, you’ll learn how to train an anxious dog to walk on a leash. Let’s get started!

Training A Dog To Walk On A Leash – Step by Step

Make sure your dog is healthy enough to walk on a leash. If not, then wait until he’s good and ready to go. If your dog freezes while walking, then take things slow as you go through this process.

Get your dog fitted for a good collar and a good leash. Make sure the collar is fitted correctly and is not so loose that it will slip off his head. Let your dog explore the new item before you do anything else. When he investigates, give him a treat and praise him. Let him know that this is to be a fun thing. Always make positive associations with items and places you want your dog to be relaxed about. An anxious dog is never a happy dog. If you want to learn how to ease anxiety on dog walks then this is important to know.

Make sure the leash is 4 feet or less in length. Don’t use an extendible leash at this time. You can move to one later on, but for now just stick with the basics. Being in control of your dog is very important. The number of owners I see running around after an out-of-control dog is unreal. 

Take your dog out to a quiet place where there are no distractions. Your backyard is fine for this purpose as they should be familiar with the sights and smells and there won’t be much to investigate.

Put the collar on your dog and attach the leash. Make sure that the leash is long enough so that your dog can walk freely beside you without going too far. Say “YES!” in an excited and happy voice. Praise your dog and pet him to make him feel relaxed. Don’t rush off just yet. Let he or she get used to wearing their new collar or harness. 

How do I get my dog to stop pulling on the leash?

Dogs love to learn how to walk

Many dogs pull on their leash and the best way to stop them is to train them properly. You can use the following corrective method to stop your dog from dragging you around on walks outside. There may be other issues with leash training your dog. Does your pup have a problem with pulling on his lead? Tugging is a common problem and I find myself feeling bad for the owners I see being dragged around by their arms. Their dog is straining his muscles when he does this and it can cause shoulder and joint problems unless you get the issue resolved.

Your dog pulls on the leash because they are excited about going for a walk and can’t contain themselves. Rescue dogs who have never been properly trained are usually highly susceptible to this problem.

Reasons your dog pulls on the lead

One of the most common issues dog owners face is a dog that pulls on its lead. There are a number of reasons why your dog may be pulling, but the good news is that there are also a number of ways to fix the problem.

One reason your dog may pull is that he is simply excited to be taking a walk and wants to get to wherever it is you’re going as quickly as possible.

Another possibility is that your dog isn’t used to walking on a lead and is still getting used to the idea. If this is the case, patience and consistent training will eventually pay off.

Finally, your dog may be pulling because he’s trying to dominate you. This is more likely to be an issue with large or aggressive breeds, but any dog can fall into this trap if not properly trained. If you suspect your dog is pulling for this reason, it’s best to consult with a professional trainer to put an end to the behavior.

Whatever the reason for your dog’s pulling, there are solutions available. With a little time and effort, you can have your dog happily walking by your side in no time. Try the tips below for leash training your dog who tugs on the lead.

The following is the best method for leash training a dog who pulls:

  • The leash should be as long as the dog is tall but not longer. When you walk, do not walk in front of the dog, but slightly behind him.
  • Use a leash to guide the dog when you cross a street. The dog must learn to walk at your side without pulling. If the dog pulls on a leash, stop in your tracks. Do not continue walking, but stand still.
  • Do not yank the leash. Just stop.
  • Wait for the dog to turn his head and look at you. At this time, reward the dog with a treat. Then resume the walk.

Repeat the steps above until the dog learns to walk without pulling.

In Summary

Hopefully, this should clear things up for dog owners who want to learn how to teach their rescue pup to walk properly outside. A daily walk is not only important for their mental well-being, they also will also use this as a way to keep fit and socialize with other dogs.