How To Train Your Golden Retriever To Stop Pulling At The Leash
If you have a golden retriever, then you know that going on a walk often means the dog is walking you! Golden retrievers are friendly, happy dogs, who want to greet and play with everyone they meet out walking. This leads to leash pulling, and it can happen in puppies as well as adult dogs. It can start to feel like there is nothing you can do to stop your dog from pulling at the leash, except go along with it, or reduce the number of walks. We're here to help. Let's look at some tips to stop your golden retriever from pulling at his leash.
Train Them Young
When you get a puppy, you should start leash training right away. Many people make the mistake of not doing so, but the sooner good leash manners are instilled in your little Golden, the better. Even if he is just 8 weeks old. Far better to start with a puppy than a 60 pound growing dog.
Have the Right Tools
With any task that you do, things will be easier if you have the right tools and this is no different. If your golden retriever is still learning how to walk, it is best to not use a retractable leash. If you use a retractable leash, your golden cannot learn what distance he can go that is within his accepted boundaries. It is much better to use a fixed length leash. Another good alternative is our Sierra Dog Leash.
A front lead harness like our Adventure Harness, Sports Harness or Urban Harness can also be helpful because as your dog starts pulling, a front lead harness will gently redirect his force to the side, so that he cannot go where he wants to go. He will soon learn that pulling doesn't get him to where he wants to go. A harness and leash aren't magically going to make your dog not pull, but the right tools will go a long way to helping you train your golden retriever.
Teach Self Control
Golden retrievers have a lot of energy, and have to be taught self control. Knowing and obeying commands will help your dog stay calm and cool while out on a walk. Starting with basic commands like, sit, stay, go to bed, etc, are all good ways for you to work with your puppy on self control.
Don't Play Tug With The Leash
If your dog is in the habit of pulling on the leash, it is very important to not pull back. Big dogs like golden retrievers tend to respond to pressure on their leashes with even more pressure, leading to a tug of war between you and your dog. That's taking a bad habit and making it worse. Instead, stop and wait until your dog comes back to your side, or call him back by name. Don't reel him in, but keep the leash slack and relaxed and wait for him to come.
Reward Correct Position
Rewarding your dog for good behavior is important. Whenever your golden retriever is walking calmly by your side with a loose leash, make sure to reward him. Turning it into a game, something golden retrievers love, will make it a fun learning process for him. Rewarding him with his favorite treats, toys or praise, whatever he likes, will ensure that he repeats the good behavior.
Tire Out Your Dog Before Walks
Every time you put on the leash, your dog gets super excited. Golden retrievers tend to get more excited than most other breeds. Try tiring your dog out before taking him for a walk. You might find that it makes a difference. Easy ways to do this is to play fetch with them, or make them chase their favorite toys. Sometimes, your dog might even be too tired to go for a walk.
Look At Walks As Training Sessions
Every walk can be an opportunity for your dog to be taught better manners. Keep in mind that your dog may become overly tired with the walking and the learning, so be sure to keep the sessions short and fun.
Dogs will repeat behavior that gets reinforced, so it's important to ensure that your golden retriever is not being rewarded for pulling on his leash. For example, if he pulls on the leash because he wants to sniff at a bush or greet a person on the street, and you let him do it, then he will continue to pull. You have just reinforced his bad behavior. So if you feel your golden retriever pulling you in one direction, you need to plant your feet and not move, until he returns to you. If your dog is very strong, you can start walking in the opposite direction. As soon as he is walking next to you calmly, you can turn around and go in the direction he wants. Dogs are smart creatures, and golden retrievers are no exception. They are quick learners, and eager to please you. The tips in this article, coupled with patience and determination, not to mention treats, will help you train your golden retriever not to pull and make your walks enjoyable for the both of you.
My daughter is eight months he’s a golden retriever how can I stop him from pulling
My 8month old golden had the off command down pat and I could rely on him staying in a sit position when people wanted to pet him. Now that he is stronger than me, he jumps up at them at the last minute. He knows I can’t keep him from doing it and “off” means nothing now.Help!
thank you a lot I might be eleven, but it’s my dog and I need to train it. Thank you a lot!
Hi Judi,
I am sorry to hear about your golden. I know it must be frustrating when it feels like you have tried everything. Have you tried using two leashes to do no pull training. Our harness has two points of attachment, one at the front of the chest and one at the back. We would recommend doing no pull training. You can try it with one leash attached to the front chest piece or if your dog is a serious puller, you can try it with two leashes, one attached to the back and one to the front. This gives you even more control when your dog pulls.
I a very tall Golden Retriever who will be three the end of this coming February (2019). At about one year old he began to pull while on the leash and it has gotten worse. He will pull when he sees people, ducks, squirrels, rabbits, geese, leaves. I take him to the dog park at least 4 times a week for at least two hours each visit where he runs, plays with other dogs and will chase and return balls great. When we are walking outside of the dog park he will pull so hard that I cannot hold on to the lease. Usually it is not something that I have not seen untill he starts pulling (running). I have tried every leash (not retractable) and harness, etc., treats when he does stay beside me, etc. I do not know what is left but I need to stop the pulling. I am worried that he will get hurt (or I will). I have had him in three different training classes. He does fine most of the time but, when he wants to play with another dog, it is the pulling. He is bigger than the other two Goldens that I have had and at a slender 82 pounds this is something I need help with. Actually, I have never seen a Golden Retriever is tall as Scout is.
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