When dog owners come to me for help on how to stop leash pulling, I feel for them, especially when I hear the frustration in their voices.
It's understandable why having a dog pulling the leash can be such a pain! If all you want is to enjoy a quiet, peaceful walk with your dog, the constant struggle for control can be exhausting.
And most of the time, the leash pulling happens at the start of the walk, making you wonder, "Is going out for a walk even worth it?"
Why do dogs do this? Why is there even a power struggle? And should you persist?
In this blog, I will talk about my biggest theory of why dogs pull the leash at the start of every walk… and what you can do to change it.
Read on to learn more.
Key Takeaways:
Understand the Instincts: Dogs pull on the leash due to instincts derived from their wolf ancestors, seeing walks as a time for hunting and leading. They will naturally take the Alpha role if they don't sense a leader, hence the pulling.
Be the Alpha Leader: To stop leash pulling, you must establish yourself as the leader in all aspects of your dog's life, not just during walks. This means setting boundaries, giving consistent consequences for pulling, and showing calm, assertive energy.
Prepare and React Appropriately: How you start the walk sets the tone. Go out first, decide when to walk, and be ready with calm responses to pulling, like pauses or changing direction. Letting your dog lead or not giving consequences encourages pulling.
Stop Leash Pulling: Understanding Why Dogs Pull the Leash Right Before You Start Your Walk
You walk to the door; your is already pulling on the leash.
You step outside down the stairs, and your dog pulls and pulls as if telling you to "Hurry up!"
Your time outdoors is all about having to regain control of the leash.
If you've experienced the things I mentioned above, you get how challenging it is to have a dog who wants to take charge of the walk from start to finish.
But why do dogs pull the leash at the start of every walk?
Let me answer that using dog psychology.
You see, our dogs have the DNA of a wolf — 99.98%, to be exact. Why is this significant? Because how your dog acts can be connected to how wolves act in the wild.
For the wolves, everything is about survival. When they head outdoors, a walk is not just a walk; it's all about hunting for food.
The most interesting thing about wolves is they don't push through with their walk until the Alpha — the pack leader — steps in to lead the way, signals "Let's go!" and goes on to make all the big decisions.
Even though our dogs have become more domesticated than their ancestors, they still think like wolves.
Someone has to lead, someone has to decide, someone has to be followed, someone has to call the BIG shots.
FACT: If your dog doesn't feel like an Alpha is in charge, they will take over.
Why?
Because dogs, by nature, will always look for the leader. If that isn't filled, they immediately have to assume the role.
It’s hardwired into the DNA.
And leaders lead…thus, your dog is out front and there is endless leash pulling, especially at the start of every walk.
Have you ever observed your dog becoming more in tune whenever the walk happens? They're gearing up to make the big decisions!
So… what can you do?
To Stop Leash Pulling, You Have to Know That Control Matters to Dogs
Control is a powerful concept in dog psychology!
Why? Because your dog knows control is essential for survival. The Alpha is their protector! The Alpha tells them how to survive the wild and find food.
Your dog pulling the leash shows they have taken the role of the Alpha. Their pulling sends the message, "I'm making the big decisions now. I will tell you what to do!"
So when your dog pulls the lead, they aren't deliberately disobeying you or getting on your nerves.
They pull the lead because they feel they're the pack leader, and they need to make every crucial decision to make the walk successful because that's what pack leaders do.
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