News

Jul 29, 2023

Here’s how one dog trainer prevents leash pulling while using a harness — it’s super straightforward

Put the joy back in your daily walks with this dog trainer’s six strategies to prevent leash pulling Have you heard that harnesses cause pulling? This myth is one that a lot of pet parents encounter,

Put the joy back in your daily walks with this dog trainer’s six strategies to prevent leash pulling

Have you heard that harnesses cause pulling? This myth is one that a lot of pet parents encounter, but in reality, nothing can be further from the truth.

While there are lots of common loose leash walking mistakes that we can make with our dogs, it's completely possible to enjoy a stress-free stroll with your pup that doesn't involve pulling — just ask top trainer Julianna DeWillems.

"Harnesses do not CAUSE pulling," the founder of JW Dog Training & Behavior says. "You absolutely can teach desirable leash behaviors using a harness—we do it all the time!"

To have your pup walking like a pro, DeWillems is sharing her top six tips to reduce pulling while using a harness. Read on to find out what they are...

A post shared by JW Dog Training & Behavior Consulting (@jwdogtraining)

A photo posted by on

According to DeWillems, the first thing you want to do when it comes to preventing leash pulling is to teach your dog desirable behaviors — these include: walking close enough to you so there's slack in the leash, looking at you, and eating from your hand.

Next up, you'll want to ensure you have plenty of the best dog treats on hand to reward good behavior. It's a good idea to choose something soft and quick to chew as this will allow you to provide your pup with a high rate of reinforcement.

Thirdly, DeWillems advises that you use a long leash to give your pup plenty of room to roam. "Eight feet is generally our minimum length for a comfortable walk for us and our dogs."

Another great way to reduce leash pulling when your dog is on a harness is to exercise your canine companion before you go for a walk. "Especially if they’re young (under two-three). Play tug or toss a ball in yard or down the hallway before you head out," says DeWillems.

While this may sound like a counterintuitive thing to do — after all, the purpose of going for a walk is to exercise them — it can help your dog burn off some energy by allowing them to run around unrestricted, which is likely to result in a calm, stress-free stroll.

DeWillems's fifth tip is to allow for plenty of sniffing. A sniffari can tire your dog out more than a huge walk, plus, if they're sniffing, they're likely not pulling.

Finally, "practice all of this in a variety of environments and understand that novel or stimulating environments will likely produce more pulling," DeWillems explains.

The tips above can make a huge difference when it comes to preventing leash pulling when your pup is wearing a harness. However, if you find after several months that your dog is still pulling a lot when you're out on walks, we recommend contacting a professional trainer who will be able to offer you some 1:1 support.

Get the best advice, tips and top tech for your beloved Pets

Kathryn is a freelance writer who has spent the past three years dividing her writing time between her two great loves - pets and health and wellness. When she’s not busy crafting the perfect sentence for her features, buying guides and news pieces, she can be found hanging out with a very mischievous Cocker Spaniel and a super sassy cat, drinking copious amounts of Jasmine tea and reading all the books.

Is your dog anxious around new people? Try this simple tip from an expert trainer

Are you playing with your cat right? Behaviorist reveals the most enriching ways to play with your feline friend

How to travel with a dog by plane

By Kathryn RosenbergJuly 31, 2023

By Kathryn RosenbergJuly 31, 2023

By Kathryn RosenbergJuly 31, 2023

By Kathryn RosenbergJuly 30, 2023

By Kathryn RosenbergJuly 30, 2023

By Kathryn RosenbergJuly 29, 2023

By Kathryn RosenbergJuly 29, 2023

By Jessica DowneyJuly 27, 2023

By Jessica DowneyJuly 27, 2023

By Kathryn RosenbergJuly 26, 2023

By Kathryn RosenbergJuly 26, 2023