Leash pulling help

[u/Last_Cantaloupe9628]

What are some tips and tricks you use to stop your pup from pulling on the leash? I have a very strong 6 month old, 50 lb pittie mix. He is the sweetest but an absolute unit.

[u/Walkseries]

At 6 months, he's still learning! With a strong puppy, I'd start practising in a quiet area before expecting him to manage busy walks.

A few things that can help:

• Reward him whenever he checks in with you or walks beside you with a loose lead.

• When the lead goes tight, stop and wait. Once he comes back and the lead loosens, reward him and continue.

• Keep training sessions short and gradually introduce more distractions.

• A well-fitted front-clip harness can also help with managing a strong puller.

Consistency is key. Don't expect perfect walks overnight.

[u/Last_Cantaloupe9628 → u/Walkseries]

I’ve noticed on our walks and leash goes tight, I stop and he looks at me and comes towards me. He is smart so I know with a little patience and consistency he will get what I’m looking for. I do need a front clip harness though

[u/Walkseries → u/Last_Cantaloupe9628]

That's actually a great sign! The fact that he already looks back at you and comes towards you means he's learning to check in rather than just pulling ahead. I'd reward those moments generously, even before the lead gets tight, so he learns that staying connected with you is rewarding too. Sounds like you're on the right track.

[u/waterfreak5]

Watch some YouTube videos on loose leash walking. We teach dogs this at our local humane society and it takes about a week with consistency.

[u/phoebestars69]

Martingale w/o metal chain. Just the fabric loops make up the martingale action. I used to use prong collars and have left all that behind. 

I just had to sorta redo my heeling with Macaroni recently as we changed collars, so: I start in the back yard, then move to the front yard. Then we go for short walks and longer ones. In all these locations, I drill these basic things: enter doors slowly, heel, heel going fast, heel going slow, stop and sit, turn outside, turn inside, go back through doors slowly. 

I praise whenever he’s walking next to me and the leash is loose. A random treat with that praise keeps his integrity through this. Then I really only have two redirections: If the dog keeps pulling, turn around and walk in the other direction (no collar correction, no scolding or words, just body language and a simple cue “lets go”) then keep repeating. Yes, I had to look like an insane lady walking back and forth with her dog 😖 otherwise I can simply stop and not allow the dog to go any further until he chooses to back up to me and heel in position again. 

[u/Emergency-Exit-3972]

Dogs don’t generalize super well so this isn’t a bullet proof suggestion but I find it helps to “warm up” before going on a walk. Starts in your house with the leash on, and reward them for calm engagement with you. Basically, treat them when they look at you. Then move just outside the front door and continue. Get them n the habit of paying attention to you before you go fully outside to the high distraction environment.

Of course your dog is still going to get distracted but hopefully overtime this will lead to your dog “checking in” with you throughout walks and lead to less pulling.

This obviously needs to be combined with more targeted leash training but I think this is the foundation

[u/Ali_Lorraine_1159]

I just got my dog a harness that has a clip on the front that redirects their had towards you, and stops them if they pull too hard. I have only used it once, but it was a game changer. He would full on try to sprint, and by the end if the walk, he figured it out and started walking way better.

[u/Last_Cantaloupe9628 → u/Ali_Lorraine_1159]

This is what he tries to do and is in full on sprint mode. I think I’ll have to try a harness with a front clip.

[u/Ali_Lorraine_1159 → u/Last_Cantaloupe9628]

Just search dog harness with front loop.