Spring is finally in the air and that means people and dogs are everywhere. After a crazy winter, with super short jaunts outside for a quick potty break, what could be better than a long walk with your dog in the sunshine and mild weather? That is of course as long as your dog isn’t pulling you towards every person, dog, squirrel and tree you see along the way. If your dog does pull you towards whatever catches her eye, we’ve got a few tools for you.

First, turn and walk away. As long as your dog is able to get to what she wants by pulling, she will continue to pull. It gets her what she wants, so why change? When your dog starts to pull, stop and give her a chance to move back towards you. If she doesn’t walk the other way. If you have the space, you can make a few quick turns every few steps to get her focus back on you. When she does finally look up, probably thinking “what are you doing crazy person?”, be sure to give her lots of positive feedback for engaging with you.

In the video below you'll see that as soon as Daisy starts to pull, her handler turns arounds and goes the other way and Daisy. She stops pulling and is back to checking in with her handler.

Second, load ‘er up! If there is a particular place or stretch of sidewalk or dog that your dog pulls you towards, pack a full treat bag and head that way. Before you get to the point where your dog starts to pull, stop, get his attention and give him a big payout with the treats. Take a few steps closer, get his attention and another payout, a few more steps, attention pay out, continue until you get past that sticky spot. Or if your dog just can’t help himself and blows off the treats and starts pulling, turn and walk the other way.

Last, but certainly not least, the tried and true lure. Be sure to save your dog’s favorite treat, something really yummy, maybe even a little smelly, for those times when there isn’t a lot of space or you don’t have a lot of time to set up getting her attention ahead of time. This one is super simple: put something your dog loves to eat right in front of her nose and walk her by whatever it is that she would normally pull you towards. Be sure she can lick or nibble on the treat as you're walking to keep her focused on the food and not the other dog, or tree. Do try to catch your dog BEFORE she starts pulling. Once she’s focused on that other dog, tree, field, it will be hard to redirect her away from whatever it is that she wants.

In the video below you'll see Daisy and her handler easily walking by the dog on the step, no pulling, lunging or anything else. She is committed and fully focused on that yummy treat.

What’s your favorite tool for avoiding pulling on a walk? We want to see it in action. So post a video and be sure to tag us to show off your walking skills, @CanineSports on IG or Canine Sports Dog Training on Facebook.

If your walks need a little bit more help, or you need help with other skills, let us know. Where here for all your training needs.