For example, your dog tugging on the leash and dragging you after it is a problem that every dog owner faces. Some pet owners even complain so much that their hands often get sore or their shoulders almost dislocate. But still, they can't spare their lovely friends and put up with being dragged here and there after them.
Whether you're a host or a dog owner, if you're experiencing similar problems, it's not as difficult as it sounds. In this blog you will find some dos and don'ts to get your dog used to walking with you.
Follow these steps and your friend will soon get used to walking with you. Of course, there are also some things not to do. Let's take a look at them:
1) Keeping the leash taut... This creates a tugging reflex in your pet. It would be an eternity of waiting for a puppy to walk with you when it thinks the only way to get around the park is by pulling on you.
2) Walking slowly and not speaking is contrary to the team spirit, so you must fulfill your responsibility.
3) You should not train with collars such as canny collars or barbed collars that can hurt your pet.
4) Again, contrary to popular belief, trying to keep your dog on your left side is an unnecessary effort.
Above all, you should try to enjoy this activity that we share with our lovely friends. You should be patient, understand their nature and remember to act as a team.
First of all, let's take a look at the reasons why these lovely companions tug at the leash and drag you along.
1) Genetic heritage from their horses: All dogs, regardless of breed, want to roam and run around from the first moment they hit the streets. This behavior is an instinct inherited from the first dogs and wolves. By nature, they can cover long distances and run for long periods of time. Shepherd dogs, for example, cover an average of 50 kilometers a day. Therefore, a dog that is not trained to walk will become a leader and listen to its instincts instead of you.
2) The need to move and release energy: The energetic nature of dogs forces them to be constantly on the move. If you can't spare enough time from your work life or if you don't use the host service on petsurfer.com, you are not meeting your dog's daily need for energy. Experts often say that the happiest dogs are tired dogs. Therefore, it is easier for a dog to adjust its gait to you if its daily movement needs are met.
3) Even though you create suitable conditions for your cute friends at home and ensure their happiness, the taste of the street is completely different for them. Having unlimited areas where they can sniff and run, combined with their natural curiosity to explore, they can't help but be attracted to the streets and parks.
So what should we do?
Here's what you need to do to avoid running around after your traveling companion and worrying about both your hands and your friend's neck getting sore:
1) The first thing to pay attention to is your attitude when you leave the house. You should be the first one out the door so that he remembers who the boss is. Otherwise, with his leadership instinct, he will start driving you around.
2) You should allow a certain amount of time for toilet breaks and sniffing around. This also calms his excitement and creates an environment in which you can assert your leadership.
3) Contrary to popular belief, you should always keep the leash loose. When the leash becomes tense, you should stop and reward him with a treat. In this way, he will get used to walking with you only when the leash is loose and stopping and waiting for a treat when the leash is tense. Of course, you should not forget to talk to him during this process and motivate him by calling out. In this way, you reinforce that you are a team and that you are the leader. Speaking of team, you should try to take fast steps without breaking this partnership.
4) In addition to practicing stop/walk with plenty of treats, you should change direction frequently. Your turns should be sharp turns, not curves. In other words, if you are walking on a straight course and suddenly turn 90 degrees to the left or right, it will confuse your dog and make it easier for him to follow you.
