So off you go for your daily walk, you dog going over the top when the lead comes out and you have to rugby tackle it to get the thing on in the first place! You’ve started you walk off in the house with all guns blazing before you even venture out of the door. Your heading for failure, right from the word go.

Wild dogs do not naturally just go for a walk, that is a human thing. We must also understand that even though our dogs are not wild animals, they still have their natural instincts,,,as do we when push comes to shove. Mainly who is provider and protector and decision maker here? Are we safe and do we have food.

Your dog pulling on the lead is out there in front leading the way and keeping a look out for food and danger. Panting and pulling. Now pulling does hurt, both you and your dog (probably not so much you, if your dog happens to be a Yorkshire terrier) It is also not a lot of fun for either of you. You need to be able to show your dog that it is you it needs to follow, to watch and that being by your side is, not only fun but a safe place to be. I teach healing as follow my leader game, slow but sure starting at home in a calm environment where they are no distractions or concerns. You can both relax and have fun learning who follows who.

 I do not advocate tugging and making you dog be by your side, we want your dog to want to be by you side, not because you may shout at it or add to his pain by tugging the lead, but because he sees it as a safe place and you as the decision maker and the leader of the walk.