It’s a challenge to teach your dog not to pull on his leash when he’s busy exploring the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors. But it’s possible with consistent training.

The next time Fido pulls ahead to explore, use these techniques to teach him leash manners.

Method 1: Stop and Go

• When your dog starts to pull, stop walking and wait.
• When he stops, praise him then move on.
• Repeat this every time he pulls on the leash and he’ll eventually learn that pulling will keep him from walking.

Method 2: About Face

• With this method, your dog’s pulling will have you making an about face.
• When your dog starts pulling, turn around and walk back from where you came. Let the leash check your dog (gently).
• As your pooch hurries to catch up with you, praise him.
• Once he catches up, turn again and continue walking in the direction you were walking before.
• If he pulls again, turn around and repeat the action. Teach your dog that pulling will have him checked by the leash and will keep him from heading where he wants to go.

Bring out the toys

It may seem contradictory, but exercising your dog before the training walk will help. He’ll be less likely to pull if he isn’t ready to run and full of energy. Overall, keep training sessions short and fun. And remember, consistency is key.

Is a collar or harness better for walking your dog? Despite what you may have seen on TV or on other dogs in the neighborhood, the decision depends on your dog’s training and your goals.

Do you want to train your dog to stop pulling or is he already trained? Is your dog’s breed known for having issues with the spinal column or trachea? Read on for options and tips.

Content with Collars
The most common recommended collars are traditional buckle or snap collars, break-away collars and head collars. (Choke chains and prong collars are best used by owners with dog-training experience.)

The traditional buckle or snap collar is a good everyday collar to hold ID tags. It’s also acceptable for walking your dog on a leash, but consider first if your dog is trained to walk without pulling or if the breed has a potential medical condition.

Benefits of a collar

• Fits your dog’s neck exactly.
• Fairly inexpensive.
• Can be worn all the time.
• Can be used to hold ID tags or rabies tags.
• Safe for most dogs, except small breeds or those with spinal/tracheal issues.

Collar considerations

• Your dog might outgrow it and need a new one.
• It might get caught on something. (Breakaway collars allow a quick release.)
• It won’t curb your dog’s leash pulling without training.
• Not appropriate for walking dogs that are predisposed to…
• Wobbler syndrome (Doberman pinschers, Great Danes and other breeds)
• Spinal cord disorders or Chiari malformation (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and other toy breeds)
• Slipped discs in the spinal column (Dachshunds, French bulldogs)
• Hydrocephalus or water on the brain (toy breeds and dogs with shortened heads)
• Collapsible trachea (Yorkshire terriers and other small breeds)

For big dogs who pull on their leashes, a head collar or head halter is a safe option for training. Similar to a horse halter, it fits over the dog’s head and helps you lead the direction of his forward movement. Although it’s often mistaken for a muzzle, it isn’t. Your dog can still open his mouth, bark and drink. It shouldn’t be used with a retractable leash however, as it may jerk the dog’s head.

Happy with harnesses
You and your dog may be just as happy with a harness for walking. Since it doesn’t apply pressure on the neck or against the trachea, it’s a good option for many dogs, especially puppies, small dogs and toy breeds. While a regular harness is not considered the best choice for training and may even increase leash pulling, a front-clip harness can help in that area as well.

Benefits of a harness

• Safe for dogs predisposed to medical conditions or spinal/tracheal issues.
• Comfortable for most dogs.
• Appropriate for small dogs.

Harness considerations
Keep in mind that if your dog isn’t trained to walk without pulling, a regular harness won’t help and may even increase the problem. One option for training is a front-clip harness or no-pull harness. Because they clip in front and restrict full extension of the front legs, they’re designed to discourage pulling. This a short-term training tool, however. Once your dog is trained, switch to a regular harness or collar.

For more advice or to check the fit on a dog collar or harness, visit your local store and ask an associate for help.

When you think of a happy dog, you might imagine one with his tail wagging. But a wagging tail isn’t always a sign of canine happiness. It could also be a sign of nervousness or aggression.

Your dog’s body language offers various clues as to whether or not he’s comfortable with a situation. By learning some of these often subtle signs, you can react when your dog is feeling fearful or aggressive.

Signs of a happy dog

These are the signs of a dog that is happy and relaxed:

• His eyes have their normal shape and look soft, with no whites showing.
• His body is loose with a wagging tail or he’s wiggling all over.
• His mouth is closed or slightly open and relaxed. The corners of his mouth might be turned up slightly.
• His ears are in their neutral, natural position or up. Mild curiosity might have his ears perking forward.

Get to know your dog’s signs

Your dog’s signs might vary slightly, as each breed has different neutral positions for tails and ears. For example, an Akita might hold his tail higher than a Greyhound or a Collie. Get to know your dog’s natural body language and it’ll be easy to notice when he’s suddenly tense or fearful.

Signs of discomfort or distress

These signs are often signals of discomfort, nervousness or distress:

• The body is tense or stiff. His fur might be raised.
• His tail wags in a way that is stiff and higher or lower than his neutral position.
• His eyes are rounder with whites showing.
• He avoids eye contact or looks away from something that bothers him.
• His mouth is closed.
• His ears are pulled back or lowered.

When you notice these signs, stop to see what’s disturbing your dog and try to move him away or redirect his attention. By learning your dog’s body language, you’ll be able to keep him safe and can react to avoid harmful situations.