How to Stop Pulling With a Dog Harness

Most owners switch from a leash to a harness in an effort to get their dog to behave when they are on a walk. A harness will discourage your dog from pulling by making it uncomfortable to do so. But dogs are resourceful. If you do not add training to your harness walking, your dog may learn a new way to pull on the harness. While this training tool is still new, implement a few training techniques to teach your dog that pulling is unacceptable. To be effective, these training tools will have to be repeated consistently, over an extended period of time.

Things You'll Need

  • Harness
  • Leash
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Instructions

    • 1

      Call the dog to you when its time to put on the harness and leash. Do not go to the dog to put them on.

    • 2

      Make your dog sit and wait patiently for you to open the door. If it gets excited, stop what you are doing (no vocalization is necessary) and wait for the dog to calm down again before proceeding.

    • 3

      Leave the house before the dog. This helps to establish that you are in charge of the walk, not the dog.

    • 4

      Stop walking whenever the dog pulls in front of you. Hold the leash firmly in both hands and allow the harness to thwart its pulling efforts. Do not proceed until the dog stops, loosens the slack on the leash and sits or turns its attention to you. According to the training experts at Dog Star Daily, it is important not to move forward until the dog stops pulling.

    • 5

      Say "good dog" when the dog sits. Then, take another step forward. The dog may pull again. Stop again. Continue to stop after each step until the dog walks forward calmly and stops and sits when you stop. Then try taking two steps at a time, and then three and so on.

    • 6

      Walk your dog freely on a loose leash for portions of the walk, but every 10 minutes or so, repeat the training exercise in steps 4 and 5.