Modern, progressive, positive training techniques allow us to do more training off the leash, without restraint. However, in a society governed by rules and regulations, Leash Laws do exist. Therefore, we have to teach our dogs how to survive being on a leash. It is a safety factor, if nothing else. However, it is made more difficult due the very human need for a sense of physical control and our reluctance to trust our pets.
All energy we emit travels down the leash to the collar. Since the collar rests on the neck of the dog, this is where the energy surges are felt. So, why does your dog pull? Simple..... when tension is applied to the leash, the energy surges down to the collar on the neck and the dog reacts! Most will pull, naturally exercising their need to resist.
Try a simple exercise - grip the leash firmly as possible. Watch your dog tense and move to end of the leash (don't say a word). Now, relax your grip, and again, without saying a word, wait for your dog to relax and come back toward you.
What happened? Since the neck is the seat of power in the dog, that place where Mom can grip and control or where a more aggressive dog can rest to prove dominance, we can deliver a threat with the simple application of tension on the leash. That tension travels down the length of the leash and into the collar. A threat leads to resistance. In other words, a need to escape. The dog pulls and we exacerbate the problem by pulling back. Now the collar cuts off the wind and the dog is now fully into Flight Mode.
The secret to teaching a dog not to pull is to learn to work with a loose leash. This is often more difficult than we think as it takes serious concentration to change the habit of applying a death grip to the leash. It takes some real dedication to learn to work with a light hand on the leash. It takes skill to retrain yourself and to learn to have confidence in your ability to communicate with your dog with your body language and vocal encouragement.
Unfortunately, we need Leashes! It is the tool to allow us to prevent an untrained puppy from escaping from us. It is the tool that allows us to take our pups away from the yard for that nice long walk. It also is often a requirement in areas with "leash laws". So, it is in our best interest to learn to use the leash properly.
Why do many students avoid doing the leash work? Simple, it is often physically painful to the arms, shoulders and upper body. It is psychologically painful due to the sense of powerlessness when we are at the mercy of a lunging, charging, pulling Jog. And it Isn't only the larger breeds. A small dog can pull just as hard. Remember, we humans are no match for a dog, with a low center of gravity and four legs. Upright, facing the same direction as the pulling dog, we are off balance. The only way to counter the pull is to turn and move in a different direction. Now the dog will be thrown off stride and you have a moment of control over the situation. In addition, the dog suddenly realizes that you are no longer behind him and he begins looking for you. You now have the edge. Make use of it...... encourage the dog to catch up. Reward when he's with you. If he lunges past, you can stand still and let him struggle against the leash on his own. Relax the tension and in a moment or two he will come back to you. Again, the praise will encourage him to stay closer.
Use the leash as a Tool, not a Weapon. Allow it to be a Link between you, not Restraint! Relax and keep breathing. A light hand on the leash works!
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