Stop Leash Pulling my Dog

I'm quite sure if you have a dog, you must have experienced the pull of the leash. Yes, you must have. And, I also know how irritating it can get when your dog starts to pull it really hard and you just keep on walking with the flow.
So is it really bad if your doggy is pulling on the leash?

The answer is a big Yes. It is not good for you or the dog. Imagine the damage it would cause to its neck. And, apart from this it really is not a good idea to let your pet take control of the walk rather than you being in control. So to be in control you really have to take initiative and make sure you take the right steps to attain your peace of mind.
So what steps can we take to avoid the pull of the leash?
First and foremost, take note of the collar you are using. Most experts will recommend you don't to use a collar at all and instead use a harness or a halter. However there is a group of people who disagree and believe that it does not matter. But logically, it makes sense to use a harness or a halter over a collar, if only to protect your dog's neck. You will find with just a little reading that many vets report damage to dog's necks caused by trauma from leashes over time. Keep in mind that one valid and important use of the leash is during training. If your dog is well trained and never pulls on the leash than the collar/harness problem goes away.
Secondly, there are some techniques that can help you make your dog understand not to pull the leash. So you can make use of these dog training techniques and make sure that your dog learns them. A few of these techniques are:
1. When the dog starts pulling the leash, start walking in the other direction. This is very effective and after some practice I'm sure you will see how effective this can be. This technique can take some time, so please use patience and don't hurt your dog.
2. The second is the popular tree technique which almost everyone will suggest. It is quite similar to the above. In this technique you become absolutely still when the dog is pulling on the leash and start to walk only when the leash is loose.
3. Praising the dog. You should also praise the dog whenever he obeys you commands. You can offer him special treats for being obedient. This increases the communication between you and your pet and makes him realize when and what to do.
Finally, the most important trick is being patient. It is about understanding your pet's needs and not over reacting. You must act immediately when the dog's behaviour is incorrect, but don't over-react. In this way you will have sure success in training your dog not to pull on the leash.

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