Free Tips to Stop a Puppy from Pulling on the Leash

In this Omaha puppy training session, we shared tips to stop a puppy from pulling on the leash. We aimed to help Margo, a 9-month-old English Mastiff, learn not to pull on the leash by using some loose leash walking skills.

Since Margo often got too excited when guests arrived Zach and I used a delayed entry technique. This gave her time to calm down before we came inside.

Tips for Training a Mastiff Puppy

Margo has some common dog behavior issues. I think she needs more mental and physical activity every day. Zach took Margo for a short walk twice during the session. This helped her release some of her pent-up energy.

Often, when dogs start getting mischievous, it’s an indication that they are bored or have too much energy. I noted that this behavior showed a need for a walk, training, or another activity to burn energy. Now that the guardian knows when this happens, she can do something that uses energy or stimulates Margo’s mind.

To help her stay out of trouble, I shared some fun ways to exercise her; they could play ball or tug-of-war.

I also talked about how important mental stimulation is. It can really help when exercising a puppy or dog. When a dog uses their brain, they use energy. This can help them learn new skills and build confidence.

I suggested that the guardian give her a lick mat or a chew item each day. This could be a bully stick, cow knee, or a no-hide chew.

I also recommended using a Kong filled with peanut butter. I showed her how to play cookie in the corner to prepare for scent games. Lastly, I advised some basic training in short sessions a few times a day.

Giving Margo some mental stimulation or physical exercise before a walk can help her succeed. It can also reduce her pulling on the leash.

A lot of people try to teach their dog to walk with a loose leash while they are on an actual walk. But often that is the worst place to teach the skill. The dog is distracted by things it wants to investigate which leads to pulling on the leash.

How to Stop a Puppy from Pulling on the Leash

A good way to stop a puppy from pulling on the leash is to practice loose leash walking. Do this in a quiet place, like a backyard, where there are no distractions. Margo‘s guardian and I headed outside so that I could share some secrets to stopping dogs from pulling on the leash. You can learn how to get your dog to walk with a loose leash by watching the free positive dog training video below.

It was great to see how quickly Margo responded to these tips to stop her from pulling on the leash. Within minutes the guardian had this giant puppy walking next to her with a loose leash for several steps in a row. You don’t need to be a pro dog trainer to teach your Mastiff puppy to walk on a loose leash. All you need is some patience and good timing.

How to Practice Loose Leash Walking

I suggested that the guardian practice loose leash walking exercises in the backyard. This should continue until Margo pays attention and the behaviors become second nature for the human.

Once that happens, the guardian can start in the backyard for practice. Then, they can move to the front yard but should not go for a real walk. It may take some time and practice.

By walking in familiar areas, the dog will feel more comfortable. This helps reduce distractions. With fewer distractions, it will be easier for the human to get the dog’s attention.

Earlier in the session, I talked about something I call rapidfire treating. It is a great way to get a dog or puppy’s attention. The guardian may want to incorporate some elements of that game to her walks as well.

Stopping and asking her dog to sit or lay down periodically is a great way to reconnect with them. Repeating simple cues quickly helps a dog focus more on their owner than on what is around them. It’s also a great way to practice some fundamental obedience which has its own benefits.

Margo is an excited puppy. I suggested that Zack practice the relaxation protocol with her for a few days. This will help the humans feel more comfortable with the exercise.

This shows what we learned about leash training. We put the dog in a good spot to succeed. Then, we build on that success slowly.

This helps the puppy understand what to do. It also gives the puppy a chance to practice that behavior.

We wrapped up the session by recording a roadmap to success video summarizing all of the dog behavior tips we covered in this in-home Omaha puppy training session.