Why Does My Dog Pull on the Leash?

Today's question sounds really simple.

Why does my dog pull on the leash? And I don't think there's a dog owner in existence that hasn't probably asked that at one time or another.

But leash pulling isn't one single behavior.

Sometimes it's a basic training issue or a learned habit.

Sometimes it's being driven by fear, excitement, frustration, or reactivity to dogs and people.

Those situations may look similar from the human end of the leash, but they need different solutions from your dog's perspective.

In this episode, I provide concepts that can help you address leash pooling as well as a free 33-minute video on how you and your dog can have more cooperative and enjoyable walks.

Let's start with the simplest explanation.

Dogs pool because pooling often works.

Dogs do behaviors that are rewarding to them.

Your dog doesn't naturally understand that they're supposed to stay within six feet of you and keep the leash loose.

This is not an inbred behavior.

It doesn't come as standard equipment with your dog.

Dogs also tend to move faster than we do.

Of course, they can outrun us like a lot.

And I think it's always funny, by the way, when dachshunds run.

They have these little four-inch legs, and they can smoke just about any human on earth.

And dogs experience a walk largely through scent.

So all these things change how dogs see a walk.

You may be thinking, well, my dog and I are walking to the end of the block.

But your dog may be thinking, I need to smell that tree, that grass, that mailbox.

and the place another dog stood 20 minutes ago, and maybe left a pee mail.

If pooling gets your dog closer to what they want, the behavior has been rewarded.

And what happens with rewarded behaviors? They're repeated.

It doesn't have to work every time either.