Pulling on leash is one of the most common issues I see both from the dog and their person. One of the many ways that I try to approach the problem and inspire people to change it from physical aspects. Dogs that pull not only affect their own bodies over time, sometimes creating neck and spinal issues from years of constant tension, they can also create physical issues with their handler. Our bodies feel the pressure from up to three times the dog's body weight when they pull putting tension on our hands wrists, arms and shoulders. The dog and the handler are often completely out of balance, definitely not working together.
The easiest technique that I have used for improving leash manners on both ends is from Tellington TTouch called the Balance Leash. I've been using the Balance Leash in my basic obedience classes with much success once people are willing to give it a try. We are quickly and calmly able to give the dog's body and brain information they can understand. The Balance Leash teaches the dog to walk without pulling by using subtle "ask and release" signals with the leash on the chest to get them to balance their own weight on all four feet. All we need to get started is the dog on a buckle collar and their six foot leash.
With the dog on the left side (all directions are reversed if the dog walks on your right), put your left hand on the leash about a foot from the collar with your thumb pointing towards the dog. With your right hand, take the rest of the leash and drape it around the dogs chest keeping your right hand on the leash with the thumb pointing towards the dog. As you walk forward, keep your left hand loose with no pressure on the dog's neck. With your right hand, use the gentle "ask and release" signals when you feel your dog pulling. These signals are not corrections, but information to the dog's body to re-balance. As soon as they stop pulling, release and let the leash go slack. Not only is your dog in better balance, but you are as well.
I've included a video showing how to use this technique along with a variation for dogs that tend to spin around or become reactive. My demo dogs are my dogs Bernie and Royal and they each have their own leash "issues". Bernie only pulls if he sees a squirrel on our walks. The Balance Leash is ideal for him because I can easily and quickly use it for more control when he goes into "squirrel mode". Royal likes to pull and pull and pull like a train (if I let him). The balance leash is ideal for him, because it is so easy for his young body and active brain to understand.
For more on TTouch, check out www.ttouch.com for books and videos that are available. TTouch practitioners all over the world offer hands-on classes and private instruction on these techniques.
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More on Balance Leash...
One important aspect of the Balance Leash is that it encourages the handler to get out of "water-ski" position behind the dog. In order for the handler to have more influence and give more information to the dog, they must be positioned beside the dog. I suggest that the seam of their pants be lined up with the dog's shoulder.
The more you practice with the Balance Leash, the fewer signals you eventually need to give. Over time, you can transfer both ends of the leash to one hand and then eventually not need the Balance Leash.
That's fantastic!!
Jennifer, thanks so much for this post. I used it last night with my adolescent Shepherd/Husky cross, in combination with Cindy Bruckart's equally helpful post on leash pulling and Dr. Dunbar's methods (Start/Stop, Red Light/Green Light), and we had a fantastic walk, and another one this morning. I really like that there are no corrections involving the dog's collar, or even her head, avoiding choking, gasping and other frustrations of the walk.
**Also, I didn't have to go and buy another piece of equipment that will provide "the cure" for pulling dogs.**
I think our dogs get so used to being "corrected" by the collar that they don't even recognize the covert control this technique offers. I know my dog was certainly surprised. This is such a gentle method of control that we all got home in much better moods, relaxed and happy (I walked my other, non-pulling, dog at the same time, which shows the ease and effectiveness of this technique). I did notice that my dog, at several points, got jumpy, but she settled quickly when we stopped the walk to let her settle. Is this normal for a dog to do as they adjust to this, since she is very used to "having her head" and her head is now basically out of the equation?
In your post you said, "...once people were willing to give it a try..." Why wouldn't they? This method, in combination with the other methods to stop pulling, appears extremely effective, reduces frustration and muscle strain, and is cost-effective. What's not to like? Thank you again, so much, to you and the whole Dog Star Daily Team for being there and offering advice based on your education and experiences training dogs.
Now, about chasing cats...
Balance Leash
Thank you Thomas68! I'm so happy you had positive results from using the balance leash technique. I've seen several dogs get a bit jumpy at first, but they usually settle into it once they adjust to the light signal coming from the chest vs. collar. I encourage people in every way possible to get all pressure off the neck regardless of the method or equipment that is used. Happy walking!
Wow - it worked!
Our rescue pup has been a puller since we got her, to varying degrees. I came home, saw this article, and immediately took her out for a walk. And YES! It worked very well! We only have a 4 food leash, but I'm short enough, and so is she, that it worked with both parts of the leash in my left hand. I plan to try it tomorrow with a longer leash, but either way, I am quite impressed that my dog changed at once from a run-ahead, are-we-there-yet ball of pull to a quiet, polite dog. Thanks!!
Balance Leash
How cool! This will be the foundation fpr correcting leash pulling in my new 9 week class starting 3/13. We have so many people at my German Shepherd Club placing a prong collar on any dog that pulls (they call it power steering). Thank you.
Lieza's Mom Arlene
T Touch leash
I've been using a front lead and head collar for training my "shelter" Meggie. The front lead was first and helped with the terrible pulling. She does fine with the head collar for training, but today I decided to overcome my doubts and give the TTouch method a try. I threw the loose leash around her chest and we walked for 3/4 mile up the drive and around our acreage without any need for correction. I do hope this continues to work as well as it's started. What a relief!
Edit 1: Well...a day passes. Under more stressful conditions, the simple loose "wrap" didn't help. Catching scent of something in the forest, Meg pulled it up to a choker.....For those kinds of situations, it would be good to have the head collar for backup.
The Old SeaPick
Balance leash video?
I have been clicking on the 4th paragraph on the "I've incuded a video" of the above "Walking in balance with TTouch" & I don't see any video, am I missing something? I could really use seeing how this is done for my 2 dogs,
thank you,
Cris