If you constantly find walk time turns to tug of war with your canine companion, the problem might be you. Barbara Walmer from the Calgary Humane Society visited Global Calgary’s Morning Show Monday to talk about how to deal with a pulling pup.
Walmer was up front about how we, without even knowing it, are often the instigators to this bad pet habit.
“We pull back and we’re all tight, they’re going to pull forward. Instead if we’re up by the head and shoulders and able to loosen a bit, it’s going to be easier,” Walmer said.
The way we put pressure on different points on our furry friends affects how they pull back, and the humane society swears by having two points of contact to lessen that impact.
“This way, I can engage one point while relaxing the other, to keep her in balance, instead of both, which activates her opposition reflex to pull forward,” Walmer said.
The old, single contact point leash doesn’t offer the same control, and as Walmer stressed to new owners learning to walk, keeping the attention of your dog will make the process easier.
“Even treats, if that’s what it takes to keep their attention, then you can go from there,” Walmer said.