Why Does Dog Pulling Happen on Some Walks but Not Others?

One day your dog is walking beautifully at your side, looking up at you with devotion. The next day, your dog is lungeing at every squirrel and pulling like crazy while pretending you aren’t even there! This unpredictability is one of the biggest headaches for any pet parent. If you are confused about why your dog has such erratic leash behavior, you’re far from being alone!

Environmental Triggers That Cause Dog Pulling

Dogs live through their nose. A normal street from your point of view may be full of sensations for your dog. If there was a visit of some other dog, some stray cat or wild animal in the neighborhood, which left some mark of its presence, it is only natural that your dog will be tempted to satisfy his curiosity.

Busy streets, strange smells, noise, or even changing your usual walk can lead to immediate sensory overload. If you over-stimulate your dog, his mind will be unable to cope with your instructions, thus resulting in erratic pulling.

How Energy Levels Affect Dog Pulling

The behavior of a dog during a walk is a mirror image of his physical and psychological state prior to leaving the front door. There are some unseen factors that will easily change an enjoyable walk to a pulling session:

• Energy to expend: If your dog doesn’t get enough playtime, mental stimulation, or indoor activities, he may rely on walks to burn off his extra energy.

• Weather effects: Cold weather or high-speed winds tend to make the dogs very active and excited, whereas hot weather makes them lazy and stubborn.

• Physiological discomfort: Slight pains, problems with digestion, or poorly fitting equipment such as harnesses or collars can affect your dog’s pace and pulling.

• Intermittent reinforcement: Since being pulled to the tree once in a while causes them to sniff it, they will continue with this method since it works at times.

The Handler’s State of Mind

Dogs have an amazing sense of empathy and awareness of the feelings of their owners. The tension will flow through the leash itself. Whether you’re feeling tension due to work or rushing to finish the walk, or whether you’re holding on too tight because you think that your dog will misbehave, he can feel your anxiety. He’ll respond with vigilance, which means that he’ll pull and ignore your commands. A little relaxation will surprise you both.

Need a Helping Hand?

Consistency is the key to having good leash behavior, but we lead very hectic lives at times. If you find yourself unable to give your dog the disciplined walks he needs to be at his best, you owe it to him to get some professional assistance. To ensure your pet is kept healthy and happy, schedule a visit from Petsfolio dog walking!