How to keep a dog from pulling on a leash

Why suffer the indignity of being pulled down the street by an unruly dog when it is completely unnecessary? Here is a great way to bring some control into your walk with your dog. Best of all, this method is positive, painless for you and painless for your dog.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• a small bag or pouch that is easy to get into with your hand, OR a loose pocket
• plenty of small treats that your dog likes
• a happy "good boy" tone of voice
• a leash and collar
• a dog that likes treats

1. Hook your dog's leash to an ordinary collar.Your dog does not need to have a "choke" or "prong " collar for this method.
2. Make sure you have your treats handy to get to, and begin by carrying in your closed LEFT hand a small amount of treats.
3. Let your dog smell your hand so that he knows there are treats in your hand, and begin to walk, holding the leash in your RIGHT hand in front of your chest or mid-section, folded so that it will not trip you, and carrying the treats directly in front of the dog on your LEFT side. Start out on your walk, the dog should be automatically at your side, with his nose pretty much plastered to your hand, smelling the treats.
4. About every second step or third step, allow your dog to nibble the treat by opening your hand and letting him have a bit. At first, stop to do this, but gradually just keep walking until you get the "rythm" and get yourself co-ordinated with your dog. Each time the dog stays nxt to your side in order to get the treat, praise him, quietly and with a pleasant tone.
5. In no time at all, you will have your dog walking happily next to you without pulling. Over the span of a few weeks, walking your dog on a DAILY basis, you can gradually cut back on the treats and proceed down the street with NOTHING in your left hand, just your closed fist, rather like a "lure" for your dog. Every so often, do give a real treat.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the treats are cut into SMALL pieces. If your dog is obese already, use his regular portion of dry kibble rather than treats as the food that he will get during his training.
• Do not have the treats in a place that is difficult to get into. the key to this procedure is to keep the treats handy for training, without having to "dig" for them in your pocket.