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It's easy to think that smaller dogs don't really pull on the lead, or that it doesn't matter much if they do. Because they're small, sometimes dog owners might overlook teaching them good lead manners, perhaps thinking they can just pick the dog up if needed.
And while a small dog might not drag you down the street like a big one could, pulling is still something to address. If a little dog pulls hard against their collar, they can actually injure their windpipe, which could cause serious health issues.
There's also the behaviour side to consider. When a dog constantly pulls, they're essentially taking charge of the walk. Teaching your small pooch good lead manners is more than just being polite – it plays a big part in keeping them safe and well, and gently reminds them that you're guiding the way.
Teaching Your Small Dog Good Lead Manners
While you're teaching your small dog not to pull, using an adjustable harness can be a really good idea. It takes the pressure off their neck and windpipe, which is safer for them, and it can also give you slightly better steering during your walks together.
The key to training is making walking with you more appealing than charging ahead. Start with short walks and give your pet so much praise or small healthy treats whenever they walk nicely beside you without tightening the lead. You want them to learn that staying close to you is rewarding.
This training takes practice. Expect to do a lot of short, repetitive walks where you stop dead still every time the lead goes tight. Only start walking again when the lead slackens. Reward the good moments – when they're walking calmly by your side – frequently.
Don't worry too much about your dog's age – you can teach an older dog new tricks! However, it's generally true that starting young makes things easier. If you've got a rescue dog or an older dog who's never learned good lead manners, they might need a little more time and patience to get the hang of it.
Teach Your Small Dog Not to Pull
A good way to start teaching better lead manners is actually without the lead, somewhere safe like a fenced garden. Let your little pooch wander freely at first, getting used to the space. Stay close by and talk gently to your dog, helping them feel reassured by your presence.
After a short while, try walking away quietly when they aren't focused on you. Once you're a little distance away, call their name enthusiastically. When they come running back, make a fuss and give them a tasty treat.
Keep walking around together, talking to them often. Whenever you say their name and get their attention, offer another small reward. Practice this walk-away-and-recall game several times, always rewarding them for coming back and giving you their focus.
Once you're ready to move outside the garden, put the lead on. It helps if your dog understands that being off-lead in the garden is different from being on the lead for a walk elsewhere. Keep things positive and watch for any pulling.
The moment you feel the lead tighten because your pet is pulling ahead, simply stop walking. Stand completely still. Eventually, your dog will have to stop too. When they do, say their name to get their attention. Just like in the garden, encourage them to come back towards you. When they're beside you and focused on you, give them a small training treat and then start walking again.
You'll need to be consistent with this:
Pull means stop, wait for attention, reward the return, then continue. Repeat this every single time they pull. With practice, you'll find you can often prevent the pulling altogether by saying their name to get their attention before the lead tightens – remember to reward them warmly whenever they check in with you!
It's also necessary to reward the good behaviour, when your pet is walking nicely beside you without pulling, frequently reward them with praise and a little treat. This helps them understand exactly what you want them to do.
Correcting a Pulling Habit
If your small dog has already got into the habit of pulling on the lead and you want to change things, you can start right away on your next walk.
The idea is simple:
As soon as you feel your little dog start to tug on the lead, simply stop walking and stand completely still. You'll need to be patient and just wait for them to notice you've stopped.
Eventually, they will stop pulling, partly because they'll run out of lead. Small dogs usually aren't strong enough to pull you off balance, so once they realise you're not moving, they have nowhere else to go.
When your pooch stops pulling, you can either call them back to you or walk up to meet them. Once you have their attention, give them a small treat or some praise. After that, when you're ready, you can start walking again.
The key is to repeat this every single time they pull during the walk. It teaches them that pulling instantly stops the forward movement. When you reward them for stopping or coming back, it shows them that paying attention and walking calmly allows the walk to continue.
Keep practising this consistently on your walks. What if your dog stops pulling but seems completely uninterested in you or coming back? In this case, you could try turning your back on them.
If they are wearing a harness (it's important not to do this if they're only wearing a collar), you can try giving the lead a very gentle little tug – just enough to get their attention, not a sharp pull. Once they look your way, you can praise them and continue the walk.
So There You Have It!
We hope this short guide has given you some helpful ideas for teaching your dog to walk nicely on the lead, making your walks together more enjoyable!
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