How to Stop Your Dog From Pulling on Leash

This dog training tip will teach you how to properly train your dog using collar pressure techniques, which will stop your dog from pulling on leash.

Can you imagine moving your dog away from the door with two fingers while holding his collar or leash every time someone is ringing the doorbell? You’re probably thinking there may be no way your dog can do it, right?

Train your dog to understand collar pressure. If your dog pulls on leash or lead, this is one of the first steps to teaching polite leash manners. No more pulling and tugging on your dog’s collar or leash. He will learn to yield to this pressure! 🙂

Teaching Collar Pressure to Your Dog

When teaching dogs collar pressure, we’re not forcing a dog to move, but rather we’re teaching him to offer something different than an opposition reflex. We train him not to push or pull back against the leash pressure. Dog training should be done in a positive and patient manner. Don’t get flustered (remember yoga breath).

This dog training video demonstrates collar pressure training. Again, you’re teaching your dog to move with pressure; not pull against it. This is the goal of loose-leash walking in a nutshell.

Step 1: Make touching your dog’s collar a good thing.

1. Touch your dog’s collar, then click and treat.
2. Do this 10 times in a row.

Step 2: Apply pressure.

1. Apply pressure to your dog’s collar in the opposite way of where he’s standing. Use light pressure, such as holding a door open. You’re not pulling hard per se, but more like restraining.
2. Immediately click and treat when your dog follows the direction of pressure. As he moves toward the pressure, you’re no longer applying pressure to your dog’s collar.
3. Do this 10 times in a row. Remember to click and treat each time your dog performs the intended behavior.

Step 3: Reward your dog for moving toward you.

1. Touch your dog’s collar as if you’re moving him away from something, such as an open door.
2. Immediately click and treat when your dog follows the direction of pressure (he moves toward your hand instead of pulling opposite of you).
3. Do this 10 times in a row. Remember to click and treat each time.

RELATED: Choosing the Right Dog Trainer

Dog training involves repetitive actions. Always reward your dog with praise, a click or a treat when he performs the desired action. When a dog learns something new, it should be just like the old cliché: “Practice makes perfect.” Dog training does require repetition (pun intended). Got it?

WATCH: Teaching Collar Pressure

The goal in this training exercise is to move your dog simply by touching his collar. Always click and treat your dog for good behavior when training him. Now, try it with a leash. Use the above dog training steps!

You can train your dog to move in the direction of pressure on his collar using the same steps above. However, use a flat hand against your dog’s body. This works really nicely when trying to move dogs around in a tight space.

Can you use this behavior in your everyday life? Tell us about it in the comments section below.