Woof Pulling on the Leash
We believe that a Woof should never pull on a leash. This behavior is instilled early on by their humans. We have witnessed Woofs walking right next to their person holding the leash, and the person is giving no slack and choking their Woof thinking they are ‘controlling them! We have one thing to say about this… “Grrrrr”! Eventually, your Woof will be so used to a tight leash that any slack given will be immediately taken and now your Woof is pulling several feet from you.
You should always allow your Woof to have a slack leash. If you start out holding the leash tight you will need to reteach yourself how to do this. Therefore, we are against ‘extended’ leashes that allow the dog freedom to move away from you when they pull against the leash, and it extends. Talk about communicating the wrong information to your Woof!
If you want to teach your Woof that pulling is NOT what you want, then set yourself up to communicate it. First, get the right equipment. Choose the right collar, or harness, for your Woofs size and temperament. Next, get a 20’ training leash.
Give the full slack on the leash and only hold the handle. This may be the first time your woof has the freedom and did not pull you to get it. You will want to gather the leash up in your hands but do not do this. Start by walking in one direction and once your Woof trots (or runs) off in front of you turn the opposite direction BEFORE they reach the end of the leash, and begin walking that direction. Do this over and over until they start moving with you and watching you. As you do this, you will slowly pull in a few feet of leash slack leash. Once you gather enough of the leash so that you are only walking with 6’ between you and your Woof, and they are not pulling, you transfer to a shorter leash.
After communicating that they need to move with you and not against you when you go for a walk with your Woof force yourself to keep a slack leash and give a reminder tug when they start to get close to pulling. If you must turn in the opposite direction and tug for them to follow you, then turn a second time to continue walking in the direction you started. If you find yourself walking whilst keeping the leash tight just remember… it’s you, not your Woof doing it. You now know how to go for a walk.
Please see our recommendations under Collars.
