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Writer's pictureHeather Sanderson

Lead Pulling - Cruel to be kind?

I walked a step ahead of my dad. He pulled on my neck to make me step back. I looked to my left to look at something interesting. Dad forcefully yanked my neck to make me look forwards. He spoke harshly to me. He looked angry.


This is not my experience. But my account is of a young dog being walked by a man near my home this week. The man was clearly trying to raise a young dog who would be well mannered on walks and to avoid pulling on lead. .A good aim. But it was so sad to see this gorgeous young dog being yanked about with the lead attached to his collar, being spoken to harshly. Not being given the freedom to move his head.


I'm not judging. Perhaps that is the only approach the man knows. Most of us do the best we can with the info we have. Back in the day, I picked up some training methods from the telly that I now regret following. I was trying my best.


But there is another way. No jerking, no harsh words. It's



called rewards-based training. It's kind and it's effective.


You can see it working in this home video of my former puppy client, Buddy, with his kind human dad. I love that Buddy is not hyper-focussed on his dad, nor the treats. He's taking in the sights and sniffs along the way, enjoying his walk - but look how the lead walking of this young dog is coming along so nicely, no cruelty required.


Kind training is powerful.





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