Q&A for How to Stop a Dog from Pulling on Its Leash

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In practice, standing still is impossible with an 85-pound dog pulling me. What can I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

In a straight battle of power, you're not going to win, so concentrate on training. Get your dog listening to you with several short training sessions a day. Work on "Heel" off the lead in your home. Find a super tasty treat and show it to the dog. Only give it when the dog sits (don't tell the dog what you want, have him work it out, however long that takes). Once he regularly sits without being asked, take a couple of steps and then stop. Most dogs tag along and then sit. Keep adding in more steps and stop before he jumps ahead. Now add the cue word "Heel".

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Question

Can you hurt your dog by pulling on the leash?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes, especially if the dog is on a collar. It's all too easy to compress the windpipe and cause breathing problems. This is why sympathetic training that teaches the dog to stop and slow down is so important.

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Question

How can I get my dog to stop pulling on his lead?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This takes time and patience. Stopping when the dog pulls, and only advancing when the leash is slack, is one method. Be prepared to take a long time to get anywhere on a walk.

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Question

How do you train your dog not to pull on the leash?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

A neat method is to train the dog off leash that, when you stop and he stops, he gets a treat. This is simple to do. Walk forward and encourage the dog to walk with you. Stop. Ignore the dog. He will fuss around and eventually sit as he tries to figure out what to do. As soon as he sits, give a reward. Then when on the leash, if he starts to pull, simply stop and wait for him to sit.

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