There are many reasons why a dog will pull on the leash. These range from aggression towards other dogs and/or people, to fear of the environment or conditions. Probably the most common reason for this annoying and potentially dangerous behavior is excitement coupled with a lack of discipline and control on the part of the owner/handler.
There are 6 basic needs that a dog must have in order to survive. These are Food, Water, Exercise, A Package, Leadership, and Love and Affection. Without any of these 6 needs, the dog will not survive for long. The needs that concern us with the problem at hand are; A Pack, Leadership and Love and Affection. Why are these factors so important, I hear you ask? Let’s see them individually.
The package.
Dogs are pack animals. In the wild, like wolves, there is a strict hierarchy among pack members. The pack is normally led by the alpha female. She has gotten to this position through a mix of command, cunning, and her ability to read and summarize situations quickly and accurately. The Alpha Male is next in line. He is the only dog that will mate with the Alpha Female. She has fought against all comers to achieve this position. He normally deals with the group’s defense. It’s your job to challenge and fight other animals who want to take over the herd. All other members of the pack will determine their own place within it through fighting, cunning, and alliances with more dominant animals. Some, as they mature, will try to ascend to alpha male.
That is why it is vital that your dog knows his position in the pack. In this case your family is his pack. You must be the leader of the pack and the other members of the family must always be dominant towards the dog. At no time from puppyhood should the dog show signs of aggression to any member of the family. Punishment for this crime should be swift and uncompromising.
Leadership.
If you were driving from home to say the next town and had no map, were new to the area and alone, as well as being blind as well, you would, I’m sure, agree that the chances of reaching your destination would be quite thin.
Also your dog, in the wild, would be in a similar position. If the pack did not have a leader, the activities would not have a focus. So without the pack hierarchy there would be no direction for the pack and a consequent dissolution would soon occur.
Because dogs hunt in packs, this would end with individual members dying from starvation or predation by other species. The lower orders within the pack never question the decisions of the pack leaders. Failure to behave as part of the pack will often result in expulsion.
love and affection
You have hopefully noticed that if you praise your dog when he does something good, he will wag his tail and sometimes if you scold him he will roll onto his back showing his belly and often leak urine.
The first reaction is the dog’s natural response to love and affection. He will react this way when he greets other pack members. He will show enthusiasm and rush about, sometimes barking and whining or giving small barks of pleasure, as well as showing submission to higher members of the pack.
The second response will often be shown to the leaders of the pack and signifies their submission to them. By exposing her belly, in effect, she offers them her life because she would not be able to defend herself against an attack in this position. Urination in this position emphasizes your actions.
The dog will naturally follow these instinctive behavior patterns, so a combination of strong commands and abundant praise can be taught to do most things. The important things for him to remember are to be consistent, to use the same command every time, to be persistent, not to give in, and to always finish his training session successfully.
This last point means that no matter how long it takes, you should get the answer you require, even if only briefly. As soon as you get that response, praise the dog and then stop the session.
Your commands should be easy to understand, one word instructions that cannot be confused with each other. They must be delivered in a firm, no-nonsense voice. The commands I use are; Heel, Sit, Down, Stand, Close, Come and Stay. Each of these commands is reinforced with an appropriate hand signal. For example, Sit is indicated with the right elbow bent, hand facing forward with the palm at shoulder height, while Down is a straight arm downward sweep from horizontal to about 45 degrees.
So, to cure the dog pulling problem, hold the leash in your right hand, keep your left arm bent over your body, and give the “Heel” command as you walk away. As soon as the dog’s head begins to move forward of your body line, give the command “Heel” and, at the same time, pull the leash to your right, immediately returning it to its original position. This will throw the dog off balance and shift its attention to you. Your left hand should only be used when turning left to prevent the dog from crossing your body and tripping you. This is done by simply dropping your arm to your left thigh so that you catch the strap between your hand and your leg.
Remember that the important thing is the tone of your voice. It should be an order, not a request, so pronounce it clearly, lowering the tone at the end of the word, instead of raising it and ending with a plea. Whatever happens, don’t lose your temper with the dog. Don’t raise your voice and yell at him, it will only hurt his ears or scare him. When he walks to the letter, praise him for doing well. Use a calm tone, well done, and give him a quick pat.
Small dog treats or small squares of cheese used as shreds work wonders. Hold a piece in your left hand, where the dog can smell it. When you want to get his attention, simply lower your hand to his face. This is easier with a large dog, but can still be done effectively even with a miniature breed.