Does every walk feel like your dog is towing you to the next tree? Have you tried stopping, pulling back, or a new anti-pull harness, and your dog still pulls?
What you'll learn in this edition: how pulling gets built, and a 2 minute game where you build it on purpose so you can spot it on every walk.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
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Why Jinx pulls
Every time pulling gets your dog to the tree, it gets a little stronger, and so does the ache in your shoulder.
I taught Jinx (my Dutch Shepherd, high energy, high everything) to pull. On purpose.
For dog sports, I want her driving forward. That pull is momentum, and I can use it. Hold her back a little, and she gets more focused and more excited about whatever comes next. It's one of the ways I build her love for other behaviors.
So yes, I built a dog who pulls. And I built it the exact same way pulling gets built on your walks.
Pulling, built on purpose.
How pulling gets built
Pulling takes 3 ingredients: pressure, something your dog wants, and getting there.
Your dog feels the leash go tight. Your dog leans into it. Then your dog gets the thing: the tree, the other dog, the smell on the grass.
Pressure, lean, payday. Pressure, lean, payday.
That's how I built it with Jinx. On your walk, it's the same recipe: your dog leans toward the tree, you take a step so you don't fall over, and your dog gets there.
Your dog is doing exactly what works. And every walk is a lot of practice pulling.
What most of us do in the moment
Going with it to keep the walk moving. Some days you just want to get around the block, so you follow along. Totally fair. And every one of those steps tells your dog that leaning works.
Bracing and holding the leash tighter. It adds pressure without telling your dog what to do with it. So they do the one thing they know: lean away.
Either way, your dog still gets where they were going, and getting there is what teaches the pull.
Build it once, on purpose
Build it on purpose once, at home, where nothing is at stake. You'll feel the exact moment pulling pays: the second you move with your dog toward what they want.
That's the moment to watch for on your walks. Next week, I'll show you what to do when you feel it.
One thing to try this week 👇🏻
Do this inside, at mealtime, for 2 or 3 reps.
Put your dog's bowl (or a favorite toy) a few steps away.
Hold the leash tight, or hold your dog's collar lightly. Your dog should feel a little pressure.
Send your dog to the bowl or toy and go with them, keeping that pressure on as they move.
Let go once they get there.
On rep 2, watch whether your dog leans harder and sooner. That's pulling getting built, right in front of you.
Key takeaway
If leaning gets your dog there, your dog learns to lean.
Good dog of the week 🐶
Panko with his birthday hat 🥳
Want your dog here? Reply with a photo, their name, and one line about what makes them a good dog.
Some ways I can help
Send me a video, I'll give you feedback for free.
Reply to any newsletter with a 30 to 60 second clip or a description of what's going on: a bad walk, a behavior you can't figure out, a sport skill you're stuck on. I pick 2 readers a week and answer them properly.
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Work with me one on one.
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That's all for today folks! 🫶🏻
Let's go train some Good Dogs 🐶
P.S. Try it tonight and hit reply: did your dog lean harder on the second rep? I read every single email!