Tuesday Training Byte: Stop the pulling now!

On social media and of the many people who call me about training issues, pulling is a problem that is one of the most frequent. There are all kinds of tools, but many are aversive. When I am training a young puppy or fearful dog, I start teaching "Heel!" in the house without even a collar. First off, I make sure my dog's needs are met. Trying to mold the dog to into our human world can be difficult if we don't meet their needs first. They need to feel safe and to trust us. They need exercise and mental stimulation, time outside to sniff, paw, lick, dig, roll, and explore at their speed. When I take my dog outside, I let him explore on a long leash for a few minutes. Once he comes back to me, only then is he ready to work/train.

For the young pup, I begin in the living room with any coffee table or foot stools pushed to the side. I use a long wooden spoon with peanut butter on it held by my left knee. I use this to lure the pup into the proper position. Be sure that he only gets his treat while standing, walking, or sitting next to your left knee. Cutting in front of you = no treat. After a minute or two, he should be getting pretty good at following you around fast, slow, left, or right with a few stops mingled in. To get my pup to sit when I stop, I raise up the spoon directly above his head from in from of his nose. Ask for the sit and immediately let him have a lick of the peanut butter. The next session keep some small soft treats in your left hand held by your thigh. Take a few steps, then treat. The treats should only come when his position is correct. Next, put on a buckle collar and leash. The leash should not be too long, or gather it up holding it in your right hand and treats in your left. Get your put seated in heel position and give a treat. Now keep your left hand with the treats resting around your naval. Every few steps, treat your pup as you are walking and when you stop and he sits. The next session we move outside to the driveway or area with limited distractions. You may need to go back to the spoon with peanut butter if the area is too distracting. After a few days, move the treats to your treat pouch or pocket on your right side. Heel for several steps and include a left turn, right turn, slow, fast and halt. If your pup is in the correct position when you stop, praise him well then give a treat. If your pup loses focus, starts looking away, sniffing, or pulling, stop immediately. Give your pup several seconds to look and praise him if he comes back to check in with you on his own! If he doesn't do this , tap him gently on the hind end and make a little noise like a higher pitched "Boop Boop!", then praise him and give a treat like it was his idea all along. Make a U- turn and ask for a heel again. Harnesses are used for pulling, so don't use one. Prong collars, e collars are not needed either. This method will teach your dog what the proper heel position is regardless of the speed or turn and the environment. Keep your sessions short and happy training!

This is one of my female puppies that was trained to heel without a collar or leash using positive reinforcement. Here was do have a leash because we are practicing in our driveway.