Dog Pulling on Leash Tips

Walking two pulling dogs at the same time is very frustrating for both you and your dogs. Instead of grinning and bearing it, take a few minutes and try these tips.

RELATED: Clicker Training for Dogs

Teach Polite Leash Manners Separately

Dogs pull on leash because they were never taught not to. When you know better, you do better. It’s troubling being pulled by your dog and, believe me, I’ve been right there. It feels like a freight train is pulling me into trees. When this happens, it’s time to brush up on polite leash manners. Discontinue tandem leash walks until both dogs understand how to walk nicely on leash.

Using a clicker and lots of tiny yummy treats, leash your dog and practice inside your home. While walking up and down the hallway, click and give a treat when your leash is loose. Now, it’s important to click every time the leash is loose or your dog will become confused and start pulling forward. Don’t be alarmed if you’re clicking and treating every few seconds or so. This actually means you’re doing a good job rewarding each success.

If your dog pulls, stop walking and wait. The moment you feel pressure release in your hand, meaning your dog stopped pulling on leash, click and give him a treat. When giving treats, make sure your dog comes back to you for the treat instead of you trying to walk forward and place a treat in his mouth.

Now, practice polite leash manners while walking in the backyard on short walks with minimal distractions, slowly increasing duration (time) of walks. Yes, you have to walk both dogs separately, but it won’t be forever. 🙂

RELATED: Teach Dog Not to Pull on Leash

One Dog Per Person

While practicing polite leash manners, enlist in a human helper for tandem walks. One person walks an individual dog, however, you’re both walking at the same time. Not only does this provide great rewarding opportunities for polite manners, but both dogs are learning to walk calmly together, which is so important.

You’ve probably noticed both dogs insisting on walking side by side instead of one dog leading the way. By having an extra pair of hands, you’re able to teach both dogs that walking side by side is not a race and it’s very rewarding (hence clicks and treats) if done at a slower pace.

After several tandem walking sessions with assistance, ask your friend to tag along while you hold both leashes. This way, if something should happen, your friend can step in and grab a leash.

It’s important to keep distractions to a minimum in the beginning by walking in your neighborhood or a quiet park. Slowly increase distractions. If both dogs become overstimulated, decrease distractions and reward good behavior. In the worst case scenario, you can walk both dogs in your neighborhood, but need a friend to help walk both dogs around distractions.

Try Different Equipment

Scrumptious treats and none-pulling collars are everything. By pairing both of these tools, you’re halfway toward polite leash walks. My favorite no-pull options are front clip harnesses and head halters. Now, this equipment will manage pulling until you’re able to teach your dog that walking on a loose leash pays with hot dogs. The equipment doesn’t fix the behavior.

Another reason I really like these harnesses and head halters is you still have complete control if your dog lunges toward a squirrel. There’s a saying in the dog training world, “If you’re restraining, you’re not training.”

So let’s teach polite manners instead of playing tug-of-war with a leash. 🙂

READ MORE: Walking Two Dogs at Once: Choose the Best Equipment