How to Get Large Dog to Stop Pulling on Leash?

If you are dashing through the snow - you probably don’t want it to be because you are being dragged along by your large, excited dog, who REALLY wants to see whatever is down the street right now.

Leash pulling is a common complaint from dog owners, and most dogs are prone to it. However, it can be very dangerous for both you and your dog if they are out of control and able to drag you somewhere or even knock you off your feet! 

Large dogs often have the weight and strength advantage, making them harder to manage compared to smaller dogs. So what can you do?

Why Do Dogs Pull on the Leash?

Some people say that leash pulling is your dog’s way of showing dominance, but there really isn’t much evidence to back this up. More often than not, it is just a lack of training. Dogs naturally want to run ahead, especially if they have been home all day.

Normally, excessive leash pulling is a sign that your dog is very excited. This may be because they are anxious, they have seen something that they want to investigate, or because they are feeling very energetic and want to let loose.

Dogs may also pull because they have something holding them back. If you had a backpack on, and somebody pulled on it, your natural instinct would be to push harder forward. It is the same for dogs.

Remember, it's not in a dog’s nature to go slowly in a straight line. In the wild, they would be darting here and there, smelling and investigating their environment. However, they can and should be trained for their own safety. 

 

Training a Large Dog Not to Pull

Your end goal when walking a large dog, or any dog, should be to achieve ‘loose leash walking’. This is when you can walk comfortably with the leash slack between you and your dog. 

There’s no need to make your dog walk next to you, in the ‘heel’ position, but it may be a good idea to train that anyway for emergencies. 

Equipment

Unfortunately, no equipment is going to completely stop your dog from pulling. Training should always be the top priority. However, good equipment can make it a lot easier to handle and train your dog.

For starters, harnesses are often better if your dog pulls hard. They are less likely to cause injury than collars, are safer for puppies, and offer you more control in the situation.[1] If your dog starts to bolt, you may be able to grab their harness and slow them down.

Certain harnesses are also designed with heavy pullers in mind. For example, some harnesses clip at the front or the side, this means that the dog can’t pull hard on the leash without spinning themselves around and slowing down. Heavy harnesses can also take more wear and tear than collars.

For examples of harnesses designed for heavy pullers, consider checking out Sparkpaws’ 

Comfort Control No-Pull Dog Harness Collection, which was designed with large dogs in mind.

Training

The goal of training should be to get your dog to the point where loose leash walking is the norm. This is almost impossible with a young puppy, but it is good to start these habits young.

Positive reinforcement

Since you are trying to train out a natural behavior by eliminating leash pulling, it is going to be more effective to reward good behavior than it is to punish bad behavior. 

This means you should keep a bunch of low-cal treats with you while on your walk. Treats can be used as both a reward for good behavior and as a distraction technique for excited and nervous dogs.

Sometimes just breaking their concentration with a treat when something is happening, such as another approaching dog, can be enough to divert your dog’s attention and snap them out of it. This will make them less likely to run after their target. 

 

Just Stop…

The thing your dog wants most about a walk…is to walk. Therefore, if your dog pulls on the leash, you should stop walking immediately. This will show the dog that they can’t get what they want when they are pulling.

Once your dog has calmed down, you can resume the walk as a ‘reward’ for calmly coming to a stop. When the dog is loose leash walking, they get to continue, but if the dog pulls forward - then the fun stops. Dogs repeat behaviors that get them what they want, so don’t give them what they want when they are being naughty.

This might take a while in the beginning, especially if the dog is young or untrained, but they should learn to pick it up soon. Unfortunately, this can be quite frustrating for you as the walker, so keep training sessions short.

Dog trainers agree that the most important thing in any dog training is staying consistent!

Choose a Good Pace

Often when we walk, we are thinking about our own needs, but keep what your dog wants in mind. If they are raring to go, then the walk may be too slow for them to get the exercise they crave. If they are very bored at home, then they may also be desperate for stimulation when they leave the house.

Consider switching to two walks a day, even if they’re shorter walks, so your dog has more enrichment and exercise. 

In time, your dog should adapt to you but try to keep an eye on their needs. Sometimes, if you are walking a senior dog and a young dog at the same time, it may be a good idea to walk them separately or walk the younger dog for longer so that no one is rushed or frustrated.[2]

Be Consistent and Calm

It can be tempting to rush when you are tired or frustrated, but consistency is the key to good training. Letting your dogs pull ahead and get away with it lets them know that there is a limit they can push for if they really want it.

Staying calm in intense situations, such as something exciting or dangerous, will also help your dog to stay calm. If you start panicking, then your big dog may become agitated and bolt away from you.

Keep Things Short and Interesting

Try to keep your training sessions short in the beginning, you don’t want walking to become a massive chore for you and your dog. Puppies especially have short attention spans and won’t retain much from a long leash training session.

Keeping your big dog engaged means that they’re less likely to go running off after an interesting sight or scent. Try talking to your dog on the walk, bringing food, or a favorite toy, or stopping for frequent breaks to keep them on track.

Let Responsible People Walk Your Dog 

Always make sure your dog is being walked by someone with experience in handling big dogs. Even the most well-trained dogs can have an accident or a bad day.

For this reason, avoid letting children, seniors, or otherwise infirm people walk your dog unless you are confident they can handle it. Older children should be taught how to hold the leash firmly and to keep an eye out for triggers, how to follow your leash training, as well as to let go if they are pulled off their feet.

It is safer to let go of the leash than to get dragged behind the dog.

Conclusion

Dogs tend to pull on the leash when they are excited or nervous. It is a natural instinct for them to want to run ahead and investigate, but it can be dangerous for both them and you. Especially if they are very big.

Good equipment can help, as harnesses can offer more control, and front-clipping harnesses make it a lot harder for the dog to use its body weight against you.

The best solution is consistent training. This involves rewarding good leash behavior, stopping immediately if your dog starts to pull, choosing a stimulating pace for your dog, staying calm in tense situations, and keeping the dog engaged on the walk through things such as treats or toys.

Always make sure a responsible and capable person is walking your big dog, and that they know what to do in an emergency.

It may take time to train your furry friend to walk with a loose leash and both your heads held high, but good training is always worth the time and effort to keep you and them safe and comfortable. We are sure you are doing your best to walk responsibly, and we applaud your efforts.

Happy Walking!

Ext Links

[1] https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com

[2] https://www.masterclass.com