When dog training you must remember...

Having a dog that relentlessly pulls on lead can be exhausting. Not only that it can stress owners out, making them upset or angry and the over all walk becomes more of a chore than an enjoyment.

I've known owners to stop walking their dogs completely because they just can't handle them when outside and believe the garden is enough. Sadly all dogs need stimulation and in most cases the garden doesn't do as a replacement for walks.

Most owners have tried countless techniques to stop their dog pulling. Either they learned them at local classes, read it in a book, saw someone on YouTube give advice or searched for answers on Google.

Have you tried many dog training techniques?

I know I have. Many years ago now I use to have a dog called Aura, she was a Malamute crossed with a German Shepherd. A beautiful dog who bless her looked like a wolf. However, she was incredibly powerful. 

I was at the very beginning of my journey into becoming a dog trainer when I got her. No matter what I tried I just couldn’t get Aura to stop pulling on the lead.

I tried technique after technique. I even ask Graeme Hall aka The Dogfather who I was working for at the time. It turned out the issue was not the techniques it was that I wasn’t being consistent. I was giving her so many different signals, then getting frustrated with it and instead allowing her to pull to the park just so I could let her off.

You see this is the biggest problem owners face when training their dog is they aren't being CONSISTENT! 

Dogs are very persistent

Like a child having a tantrum, if you give in even once your dog will know to keeping pushing so they get what they want.

Here is an example: you don’t want your dog on the sofa, but one time you decide to let them up because you want a cuddle. Well it's likely your dog enjoyed their time up there, after all it's a lot more comfortable than the floor. Now because of this the chances are they will jump up on the sofa again and all because you let them up just once!

It is the same with pulling, if you advance forward while your dog pulls your dog will know they can pull. It really is that simple. So you have to make sure you are consistent at all time.

With that in mind there is a rule that I stress to all owners I help with lead training. I call it the ‘Golden rule for lead walking’ you can read it in my next blog next week.