Loose leash walking is a dream for most dogs and owners alike. The good news is, you can start teaching loose leash walking the second you get your puppy home. If you already have your puppy home, and they are pulling on your walk, don’t worry, this applies to you too. 

what is pressure/release training?

Pressure and release is the number one way to communicate with your puppy. So before we get to actual training, we need you to first understand this crucial concept. Pressure means that some sort of presence or force is applied to the situation. Release refers to the removal of that pressure. 

Dogs understand pressure and release! It is built into the real-life behavior of animals, especially dogs. It’s in their DNA—a natural form of communication for them. Since dogs are naturally incline to respond to pressure and release, we use it as a wonderfully effective training tool. 

A very effective way to communicate with your puppy is by using pressure/release through the leash. When you learn to use the leash this way, you can use it to give not only correction, but also direction. It is an amazing tool when used correctly. If used incorrectly, you often get undesired results. Have you ever had your dog pull on his leash while out on a walk? That is because the dog is responding to the improper, constant pressure of the leash. 

Best tool to help with leash pulling

To avoid this common training mistake we want to use proper tools. We like to use a slip lead, rather than a flat collar leash. (Which are included in Cornerstone Dog Training’s Puppy Training Program use code MLF20 for 20% off program). A slip lead is a pressure/release leash. Simply put, it is a leash that wraps back over itself and loosens up a bit when lax. The application of the leash is the physical pressure and the loosening of the release. 

The last concept to understand before we get into the “how” is, Opposition Reflex. You know the reflex you have when the doctor strikes your knee with the rubber hammer? Well, dogs also have a completely involuntary reflex that every dog owner should know about. It’s called Opposition Reflex. All dogs have it. When a dog feels physical pressure on their body(such as a collar being pulled tight at the front of their neck by a leash), they do a strange thing—they lean into the pressure further! Their brain, their reflexes, are telling him to go forward. They can’t help it! 

So, how do we fix leash pulling if it is natural for them to pull into that pressure? Let’s jump in. 

1. With your puppy on the slip lead, hold the leash with both hands in front of you, palms down like you are riding a bike, then relax your arms and let them hang down. 

2. Begin to walk. When you feel like you can sneak away the opposite direction without your puppy noticing, do so. 

3. Get as far away from your puppy (while holding the leash) as you can without them noticing. Then, just as the leash goes tight, give it a little flick in your direction and continue walking the opposite way as your puppy. 

4. As your puppy rejoins your side, reach down to him by your left leg and reward them with a piece of kibble. 

5. As you continue on your walk, your puppy may begin to notice when they are not headed in the right direction and correct their own course. Inevitably with puppies though, it wont be long before they are distracted again and you’re given another opportunity to practice. Sneak away in the opposite direction of your puppy’s focus, flick the leash, and reward your puppy right down next to your leg when he catches up with you. 

That’s it! Well, for now. While your puppy is really young (22 weeks or younger) we would caution against really trying to get somewhere on this training walk. If you have a destination you’re trying to get to , chances are you will get frustrated as you have to keep turning and walking the opposite direction of your goal. 

This is a serious mental workout for your dog. You will wear out your puppy faster through his brain the through his legs. Ten minutes of this can be very tiring for your puppy and quite possibly dizzying for you! 

If your dogs is older than 22 weeks, they may need some more help and direction. Cornerstone is here to help, you can get all the help you will need here. $700 discount will be applied at checkout for MLF families!

As always, consistency is key. Happy Training!