Why does a dog pull on a leash: understanding the reasons

Walking a dog that pulls on the leash can be a real challenge for any owner.

This behavior of the pet not only causes discomfort, but can also be dangerous.

To solve this problem, it is important to understand the reasons that prompt the dog to pull.

Excess energy

Young, active dogs often pull on the leash because they have too much energy. They want to run, explore the world around them, play with other dogs.

The leash restricts freedom of movement, so the pet tries to "defeat" it in order to satisfy its need for activity.

Lack of attention

Sometimes a dog pulls on the leash to get the owner's attention.

This can happen if the owner is busy with the phone, talking to another person, or simply does not devote enough time to the pet during a walk. The dog, feeling deprived, tries to "get through" to the owner by tugging on the leash.

Incorrect training

Many owners make the mistake of rewarding their dog for pulling on the leash.

For example, if a pet pulls toward another dog and the owner gives in and allows the pet to approach, the dog learns that this behavior leads to the desired result.

Next time she will pull even harder to get her way.

Interesting smells and sounds

Dogs have a very developed sense of smell and hearing. During a walk, they are attracted by various smells and sounds, which can be a source of curiosity or excitement.

Trying to get to the source of an interesting smell or sound, the dog pulls on the leash.

Fear and anxiety

Some dogs pull on the leash because of fear or anxiety. For example, a fearful dog may try to run away from a frightening object, while an anxious dog may pull its owner toward the house.

Earlier we talked about why a cat bites off her kittens' whiskers .