How do I stop my dog pulling on the lead when out walking?

There are a number of reasons why a dog may decide to pull on their leash, including poor training and over-excitement.

Here are some top expert tips to stop your furry companion from pulling when out for a walk.

How do I stop my dog from pulling on the lead?

Dogs may pull when distractions are seen (Image: free)

The RSPCA has shared a step-by-step guide on how to stop your dog from pulling on the lead when out walking.

The animal charity states: "Start by standing still and quiet. Allow your dog the full length of their lead. Remain still and quiet when your dog is ignoring you, but the split second he pays attention to you, praise him and give him a treat."

Once you have the attention of your dog, you can then move off, using your voice and treats to encourage your dog to stay close to you.

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It adds that if your dog starts moving too far away from you, you should stop (before the lead goes tight) and stay still and quiet until they pay attention to you again. Once this has been achieved, you can reward them and move off again.

This should be practised on short and regular walks.

When there are distractions abound, the organisation adds: "Walking around distractions can cause dogs to pull. Place something on the floor that your dog would really like to get to, such as a toy.

"If your dog pulls on the lead to get towards the toy, stop and call them towards you. Their reward for walking on a loose lead is getting to the toy. This way, the dog learns that pulling just slows things down."