How to Train Your Small Dog to Not Pull on His Leash

Don’t think for a moment that your dog cannot pull on a leash just because he’s small. Small dogs often get a lot of undeserved credit when it comes to obedience training simply because of their size. Some may think if you can pick you small dog up, you won’t need to train leash manners. And if you are stronger than your small pup, he won’t pull you while on a leash as a large dog would. But what you do need to know is if your small dog pulls on a leash attached to a collar, he could collapse his trachea and cause other health problems. Also, if allowed to pull on his leash, your small dog is still exerting power over you by letting you know he is master over you. Keep your small dog in check and in great health by training him not to pull on his leash. 

Consider putting your small dog in a harness as well as teaching him not to pull on his leash. This will protect his throat and trachea as well as give you better control over him while you walk together. Training your small dog to walk on a leash using manners will start with small walks together and rewards to keep him close to you. You will need to train your small dog that walking with you is more interesting than pulling you along. 

Teaching your small dog not to pull on a leash will require repetitive walks with frequent stops and rewards for good behavior. The age of your small dog won’t matter, but remember the younger your little guy is, the easier it will be to train manners. Rescue dogs and older dogs new to leash training will take a bit more patience and more time adapting to new behaviors. 

Be prepared to train leash manners and not pulling on the leash with a proper leash and collar for your little guy’s size. A harness is recommended for small dogs because it will protect your dog’s throat. A bag of treats while leash walking will keep your small dog motivated to do well and also keep his attention. Be patient and expect for the first several training sessions to walk and stop often, so don’t plan long walks expecting to actually go anywhere.