Collar-and-Leash Tips for Mastering the Walk
Posted Tue, Jul 24, 2007, 10:00 am PDTYou always want to exit the house first while your dog is sitting. That way you let them know who is in charge right off the bat. Always make sure your dog is walking right beside, or behind you. If they try to pull in front of you, correct them with a tug to the side and stop walking. Don't start again until they are calm and sitting. It may take a few tries but it shouldn't be long before you are walking without the dog pulling on the leash.
1. Remember, the strongest area of a dog's neck is the lower part, so don't leash there. If you watch an Alaskan sled dog pulling a load, you'll see that the harness fits low, around the base of the neck, at the shoulder. That's because the lower part is where the dog has the most control, and where all the pulling strength of the dog is concentrated. But on a walk, having the collar on this lower part is detrimental; doing so actually facilitates your dog's ability to pull you around, which is exactly what you don't want.
2. Instead, attach the leash to the very top of the neck. This is the most sensitive part, so it takes very little effort to communicate, guide, and correct your dog from here. Holding the leash in that position also raises your dog's nose away from the ground, redirecting him from distractions, and creates a more positive learning experience and a more natural way for the dog to give you control on the walk. Always, of course, keep your dog's safety in mind when giving corrections.
3. Let the tools help you. As I say on my show Dog Wisperer, a simple leash and collar can do the trick. However, for those who have trouble keeping the collar in the correct place, you may want to tie the leash higher up on the dogs head. That way you can control your pitbull better during walks.
