How I Trained Lefty the 90 lb American Bully to Stop Pulling on Leash and Walk Calmly by My Side in Minutes
Walking your dog on a leash without pulling can seem impossible, especially if your dog is full of energy and excitement. But what if I told you that with just a few minutes of training, your dog could walk calmly beside you, no matter their size, age, breed, or energy level? Let me show you how I worked with Lefty to transform his walk in no time.
Meet Lefty the 90 Lb American Bully
Lefty is a 3.5 year old 90 lb American Bully who had never had any professional training. He does not receive regular walks or exercise. and his owners were concerned that his lack of leash skills could cause an injury.
The first thing I sought out to do upon picking Lefty up for his board and train program was to take him for a walk. Lefty was full of energy and excitement, and during his walk, he pulled on the leash, and constantly zig-zagged in every direction, leading to frustration for both of us. This is a common issue many dog owners face, and it can be difficult to know where to start when working on leash manners.
In just a few minutes, I was able to make a noticeable change by gaining Lefty’s engagement through eye-contact and introducing leash pressure each time he walked ahead or zig-zagged.
Here’s what I did:
How We Turned It Around: 3 Simple Steps
Step 1: Calm the Energy
Before we even started walking, I made sure Lefty was in a calm, focused state. If your dog is overly excited, the walk will be chaotic. It’s important to get your dog to settle before stepping outside.
Step 2: Consistent Leash Handling
I focused on holding the leash with the right amount of tension—just enough to guide Lefty, but not so tight that it feels restrictive. I wanted to create a fair opportunity for Lefty to learn how to turn the pressure off by releasing the tension in the leash.
Step 3: Rewarding Calm Behavior
I rewarded Lefty for walking with me calmly by offering verbal praise and high-value food. My goal was for Lefty to learn to associate walking calmly with good things to encourage him to do it more.
The Results: A Calm, Focused Walk
After just a few minutes of practice, the difference was remarkable. Instead of pulling on the leash and zig-zagging in every direction, Lefty walked calmly beside me with minimal effort on my part. He quickly learned to follow my lead. This transformation is a testament to how effective consistent, calm training can be in creating better walking behavior.
Want the Same Results with Your Dog?
Want the same transformation for your dog? Book your personalized training session with The Pit Bull Doctor today and start seeing results you can feel in your leash!
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