Pulling on Leash: Let’s walk together

OrlandoDogTraining.org

We all envision a nice leisurely stroll through a shady park when considering getting a dog. How nice will it be to take the dog on walks in the evenings, just like in a movie. Unfortunately, this is not what your 4 legged friend has in mind as a good time. Dog’s love walks, there is no denying that but what they have in mind as a walk is far from the leisurely stroll you’ve envisioned. It’s important we understand what our canine companions have in mind before we create expectations.

Have you ever watched a dog that was loose or off leash navigate their way around a neighborhood or park? They rarely stick to the side walk, dogs prefer to sweep across an area gathering in all of the interesting smells around them. They don’t move at a steady slow pace but rather trot from interest to interest, stopping to sniff, frolic, roll in something stinky, urinate on a bush or light pole. Their focus is on one thing, exploring the world around them. All of these behaviors are the opposite of what we as humans consider a “walk”. We walk in a straight line on a designated concrete path at a slow consistent pace. HOW BORING! (for your dog) This more often than not create a struggle of Herculean proportions. Your dog is more interested in sniffing and walking quickly back and forth for check out everything their doggie brains can take in, you are left being dragged behind them frantically trying to get them to slow down and pay attention to you.

First, I highly recommend purchasing a no pull harness. Among all of the devices out there that claim to stop unwanted pulling, harness are the safest option. Anything that is around your dog’s neck, attached to a leash and then applied pressure to is doing irreversible damage to your dog’s trachea, thyroid, even their eye sight. Dog’s necks are more sensitive than humans, they have much less protection to vitals organs from the harm of a collar, especially those that are designed to inflict pain and piercing/constant pressure (prong and chock collars).

Any harness is safer than a collar. Period. With that being said, let’s look at some of our favorite no pull harnesses because after all we’d like to keep our arms attached to our bodies when taking our dog’s for a walk. Read the entire article

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