[[Einleitung] Why dogs pull on the Leash - understanding the causes and successfully training leash behaviour

October 1, 2024

Time to read 8 min

Leash control: Day 00 of 35

This video and training session is part of the Leash Handling Concept, a structured programme to develop leash handling skills and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully didactic and methodical to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one for maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you carry out the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.

Dogs pull on the Leash, and this is often frustrating for us humans. It feels like walks are a constant battle for control. But why does your dog display this behaviour even though it seems uncomfortable or even unpleasant for him?

The answer lies in a mixture of anatomy, genetics and psychology. Dogs are not naturally leash trained - they orientate themselves to the environment, to smells and stimuli, not to us humans. Understanding this background is the first step in working on your dog's ability to walk on a lead.

In this article, we look at the causes of leash pulling and how you can change your dog's behaviour with simple but effective measures.

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Anatomical and genetic backgrounds

Why does a dog pull on the Leash without seeming to mind? One key factor is the dog's anatomy. Dogs have much stronger neck and back muscles than humans. These strong muscles ensure that they hardly feel any pain even when the lead is pulled hard. This is why even intense pressure from a Collar or Harness rarely stops the pulling.

Another influencing factor is genetics. Many dog breeds have been specifically bred to endure physical strain or to make independent decisions. Sled dogs, such as the Siberian Husky, are a typical example: they were specifically designed to pull weight and show endurance in the process. Similarly, hunting dogs such as the beagle are breeds that have been trained to follow tracks and act independently. This genetically anchored behaviour is often reflected in everyday life - especially if the basics of walking on a lead have not been trained.

Why is this knowledge important?

Understanding these anatomical and genetic factors helps us dog people to have realistic expectations of our dogs' behaviour. It makes it clear that a dog is not "disobedient" because it pulls, but that its physical and genetic characteristics drive it to do so. This knowledge lays the foundation for targeted lead behaviour training in which we do not work against the dog's nature, but rather integrate it into the training.

A Labrador that has not been trained on a Leash will use its strength to get to an exciting scent quickly. Similarly, a husky will try to build up propulsion because this behaviour has been encouraged for centuries. In such situations, it is particularly important to build up lead training gradually and give the dog clear direction.

Causes of pulling on the Leash

Pulling on the Leash can occur for a variety of reasons, which are often a combination of genetics, upbringing and environment. In order to change the behaviour in the long term, it is important to know the exact causes.

The dog does not know what a lead is

For dogs, walking on a Leash is completely unnatural behaviour. In the wild, dogs move independently of a "leading position". Instead, they instinctively follow odours, movements or noises. Without specific training, a dog simply does not know what walking on a lead means.

The ability to orientate itself towards humans must be taught to the dog step by step. Some dog breeds, such as retrievers or German shepherds, are genetically more willing to co-operate. They learn this behaviour more quickly than breeds with a pronounced hunting or working instinct, such as beagles or huskies, where the focus is on independent action.

Lack of orientation towards people

A dog that is not orientated towards its human will instinctively take the lead itself. This often happens unconsciously: if you constantly look around for your dog or allow him to determine the path, the dog sees this as an invitation to take the lead.

Dogs orientate themselves by clear structures and signals. Without these structures, your dog will decide on its own where it wants to go and pull on the Leash. This behaviour is additionally reinforced by the environment - for example by exciting smells or stimuli that distract the dog.

Man has unconsciously let the pulling pass

Many dog people reward pulling on the Leash unconsciously. For example, if your dog pulls to get to a certain point - be it another dog, a scent or a toy - and you give in to him, you are reinforcing this behaviour.

Even occasional yielding, also known as partial reinforcement, can lead to the dog continuing to pull. For the dog, pulling at these moments is a self-rewarding behaviour that it will use again and again to achieve its goal.

Different gait of humans and dogs

A dog's natural gait is often faster than that of humans. Many dogs, especially larger breeds, favour the trot for locomotion. The slower walking pace of humans forces the dog to adapt unnaturally, which can lead to frustration.

A dog that constantly has to adapt instinctively tries to maintain its preferred pace. This often leads to him pulling on the Leash in order to move faster.

Lack of consistency in training

A key aspect of leash training is consistency. Dogs learn through clear rules and repeated practice. However, if you are not consistent and sometimes let them pull on the Leash and sometimes correct them, confusion will arise.

This lack of consistency means that your dog does not understand what behaviour is expected of him. In the long term, this reinforces the pulling behaviour because the dog never receives clear guidance.

High arousal level

A high level of excitement makes it difficult for your dog to walk calmly on the Leash. Especially dogs from working lines or with high energy levels, such as Border Collies or Labradors, react impulsively to their surroundings. The more stimuli - such as other dogs, people or noises - your dog is exposed to, the higher his excitement level will rise.

A lack of impulse control further reinforces this behaviour. Dogs that have not learnt to regulate their energy pull impulsively towards their target. Especially in moments like these, it becomes clear how important it is to work specifically on impulse control and help your dog to calm itself down.

Self-rewarding behaviour when pulling on the leash and the role of partial reinforcement

The concept of self-rewarding behaviour is based on a simple learning rule: behaviour that brings success is repeated. When your dog pulls on the Leash, he often has a clear goal in mind - be it an interesting smell, an exciting encounter with another dog or a specific direction he wants to go in. As soon as he reaches this goal by pulling on the Leash, he experiences success. This success acts like a reward that reinforces the behaviour - without any human intervention.

What is particularly problematic is that the pulling behaviour works completely independently of external reinforcers such as treats or praise. The behaviour "rewards itself" because the dog achieves a positive result through its own action. Pulling becomes more and more deeply anchored in the dog's behavioural repertoire, as the consequences of the behaviour are rewarding for the dog.

Partial reinforcement: Why inconsistent behaviour is problematic

The situation is additionally reinforced by the principle of partial reinforcement. This concept describes how a behaviour becomes particularly resistant to extinction if it only occasionally leads to success.

An example: Your dog pulls on the Leash to sniff a tree trunk. In some cases you hold him back, in others you let him give in and run to the tree trunk. This unpredictable pattern makes the behaviour particularly attractive to the dog. From a learning psychology perspective, this reinforces pulling in a similar way to gambling: an occasional success is enough to maintain the behaviour.

ℹ Partial reinforcement

Partial reinforcement is a concept from learning psychology. It describes the fact that a behaviour is not rewarded every time, but only occasionally. This irregular reward makes the behaviour particularly resistant to extinction, as the learner - whether human or animal - continues to "hope" that the behaviour will lead to success again at some point.

When pulling on the Leash, partial reinforcement occurs when the dog sometimes reaches its target by pulling, e.g. an exciting smell, another dog or a person. Even if this does not happen every time, it is sufficient to reinforce the behaviour in the long term.

Partial reinforcement makes the unwanted behaviour particularly persistent. Even if you are consistent in most cases, a single "moment of success" can be enough to reinforce pulling on the Leash. It's similar to gambling: the irregular win motivates you to keep playing - or in this case, to keep pulling. To avoid pulling in the long term, consistency is crucial. Under no circumstances should your dog achieve its goal by pulling. Instead, you should always reward the desired behaviour - such as loose walking on the Leash - to give him a clear direction.

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Summary

Pulling on the Leash is a complex behaviour that is influenced by a combination of genetics, environment and upbringing. In order to successfully train your dog to walk on the lead, it is crucial to understand the causes of the behaviour and target the right areas.

With patience, consistency and the right equipment, you can teach your dog to walk at your side in a relaxed manner. Important factors such as clear rituals, positive reinforcement and a well-structured training plan will help you to achieve long-term success.

Remember: leash training is not a one-off process, but a continuous process that requires patience and commitment. Every little bit of progress counts and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. With the right attitude, you will realise that walks together are not only stress-free, but can also be a wonderful time for both of you.

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The authors: Paulina & Lui

Paulina and Lui are the heart and soul behind Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store]. Her journey in dog training began with the adoption of her first list dog, Vito. This experience sparked her deep interest in teaching other dog owners about dog behaviour and training. Initially this was just a hobby, but with the adoption of the American Pitbull Amalia, who had been relinquished several times due to severe behavioural problems, her passion developed into a true vocation. Amalia's particular behavioural challenges intensified her interest in dog training and behavioural therapy. This turning point led Paulina and Lui to leave their original career paths, undergo intensive further training and dedicate themselves fully to the subject of dog training. Their work with human-dog teams also revealed a gap in the dog market: there was a lack of safe, high-quality dog accessories specifically for medium-sized and large breeds.

From this realisation, Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store] was born, a combination of their commitment to professional dog training and the need for quality dog accessories. Paulina and Lui bring their personal experience, extensive knowledge and passion for dogs to every product to help human-dog teams live together.