Are you feeling great about the progress you and your dog are making with your leash skills over these past few weeks?! I hope you are! 

Let’s continue on this path and talk about an exercise that helps teach ourselves and our dogs what to do when they put pressure on the lead.

For me, if there is pressure being applied, it is generally going to be because the dog moved too far forward. Not because I am applying that pressure myself. In general, the consequence of putting pressure on the lead (pulling) is that we create distance from whatever they were pulling towards.

We should also be aware of when that pressure is released. If your dog pulls and you respond by walking them away from what they were pulling towards, we want to make sure we release that pressure when they start moving with us. Plenty of times when the dog does start moving with you, the pressure will release. Sometimes though, because we are still moving, the pressure will stay applied even if they have taken some steps with us. So let’s be proactive and help them release that tension.

As soon as they take intentional steps in the direction you are moving, you want to move your leash hand in towards your dog to help break that tension.

I also mark that movement with a “YES” and then give them a reward after the release of tension. Let’s put this into practice with the exercise below.

Step 1

• Attach your leash to the front clip of your dog’s harness & stand in front of them with treats ready to go in your pouch or pocket

• Make sure your dog has about 2ft of slack in the leash

• Apply some light pressure to the harness by pulling the leash in towards you

• Maintain that pressure as long as the dog is standing still

• As soon as they take a step towards you, release the tension & say “YES!”

• Reward your dog with a treat

Step 2

• Attach your leash to the front clip of your dog’s harness & stand in front of them with treats ready to go in your pouch or pocket

• Make sure your dog has about 2ft of slack in the leash

• Apply some light pressure to the harness by pulling the leash to the left

• Maintain that pressure as long as the dog is standing still

• As soon as they take a step towards the pressure, release the tension & say “YES!”

• Reward your dog with a treat

Step 3

• Attach your leash to the front clip of your dog’s harness & stand in front of them with treats ready to go in your pouch or pocket

• Make sure your dog has about 2ft of slack in the leash

• Apply some light pressure to the harness by pulling the leash to the right

• Maintain that pressure as long as the dog is standing still

• As soon as they take a step towards the pressure, release the tension & say “YES!”

• Reward your dog with a treat

Step 4

• Attach your leash to the front clip of your dog’s harness & get them into a heel position between you and a wall

• Make sure your dog has about 2ft of slack in the leash

• Apply some light pressure to the harness by pulling back on the leash

• Maintain that pressure as long as the dog is standing still

• As soon as they take a step backwards, release the tension & say “YES!”

• Reward your dog with a treat

By now your dog should be quickly responding to the pressure by moving into it. Rather than fighting it and pulling.

This takes some really good timing and mechanics on our end. So set yourself up for success by being in a relaxed and calm space. Don’t try to teach them this concept while on a walk. Get it on board in an easy environment & then work on taking it on the road.

If you are needing help with this let me know! Join my online learning community, Evolved Dog School, and I will gladly help you.