Be a Tree: When your dog pulls on the in that direction and go backwards. polite leash walking. Carry a pouch of
leash, stop, as though you are rooted in Depending on the dog’s level of excit- pea-sized treats and use a clicker (sold
place. Do not take another step forward ability, take two or three steps, or up to at local pet stores), or pick a consistent
until the dog has released pressure on 20 feet, in the opposite direction. word to say, like “Yes!”
the leash. Your dog needs to learn that This is useful when your dog is Capture a moment that your dog is
pulling equals stopping. Consistency pulling toward a specific target (another behaving the way you want and click or
and timing help a dog learn quickly. dog, a favorite bush, the swimming say “Yes!” After that, offer a treat. Your
One variation on this technique hole). You are letting the dog know that dog will associate the click or the word
is to use a word or phrase to signal pulling gets him the opposite of what “Yes” with getting a treat and begin to
your dog that he is pulling and you are he wants. You also are increasing the understand that the moment you click
going to stop. Speak in a happy voice, distance between him and the exciting is the moment he
because you are not scolding; you are thing, which helps him gather his self- earned the treat. Do
simply giving your dog information. control. Once he stops pulling, he gets not get the food out
Some use “whoops!” Others use “uh- to go see the dog or sniff the bush as a until after the click.
oh!” reward. The dog should be
If, when you stop walking, your dog thinking about
dances around you in circles or runs to Zigzag and Circling: When your dog how to earn the
the end of his leash in every direction, begins to pull, start walking in a broad, reward, not trot-
gradually shorten the leash until there is zig-zag motion. Alternatively, curve off ting after
nowhere interesting left to go. This makes to the right or left, in a wide circle. This the food.
the wrong choice (ignoring you) boring deflects some of the pulling into a side- Ini-
for the dog, and it is much easier for him ways motion and reminds the dog that, tially, you
to make the right choice, which is relax- smart as he is, he doesn’t know which will reward
ing on the end of the leash, looking up at way you’re going to go, so he’d better frequently, at
you. pay attention. least several
times a minute.
Penalty Yards: When your dog starts to Clicker and Treats: Using food can be a As the behavior
pull toward something, stop movement highly motivating way for a dog to learn becomes a habit,
August 2009 25
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