Behavior: Leash training

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Pulling on the leash is a common problem, hence the old "Who's walking who?" joke. And many of us unknowingly perpetuate it by letting ourselves be dragged along like a hooked fish.

So how do you stop it?

Stop rewarding the behavior. Whether it's a new puppy or an older dog, never let your dog or pup get anywhere she's pulling. You're walking her, not the other way around.

Causes

An energetic dog pulls because she's eager to go, go, go. A curious pup lunges toward a fascinating dog, person, shrub, butterfly, or whatever grabs her attention. A nervous pooch may drag you home in her eagerness to get back to the safety of her own turf. There are many reasons dogs pull, but they all boil down to this: dogs pull because we let them. If the walk continues--or even speeds up--when your dog forges ahead, she'll keep pulling.

How to prevent the problem

This exercise, from master trainer and contributing DogTime editor Ian Dunbar, helps teach puppies good leash manners. Pick a quiet place free of tempting distractions to practice in, usually indoors or in a fenced area.

1. Leash your pup and stand still, leash close to your body, and wait for the puppy to stop leaping around. It may take a while, but eventually her antics will subside. As soon as your pup settles and lies or sits down, praise her, give her a treat, and tell her, "Let's go." Take one step forward and stand still.

2. Wait for your puppy to settle down. As soon as she does so, praise her, give her a treat, tell her again, "Let's go," and take another step, repeating the whole sequence. Each time, have her stay in the sit or down position for a few seconds longer before she gets the treat and the "walk" resumes.

3. Reward her with longer walks. Once your pup is able to go on these  [Continued]