Today Uncle Stonnie is addressing why a very important issue; why do dogs pull on the leash. In Stonnie's opinion good dog training comes from being proactive and always taking into account the dog's perspective.
In this video Stonnie talks about understanding why dogs pull on the leash and the importance of honest, self evaluation in terms of coming up with a good training strategy to help dogs learn to walk on the leash politely.
00:00 - Introduction
01:52 - Group Exercise & Socialization
02:49 - Why Do Dogs Pull On The Leash
#labrador #dogtraining #leash
Are you a fan of my training style, but can’t travel to Kentucky to see me in person? No worries! I offer an awesome online dog training course, which includes access to an array of exclusive videos and content, personalized coaching, journaling, and in-depth mentoring and evaluation by yours truly! If you just need some an advice or have a couple questions you need answered, I also offer professional consulting by the hour. Both of these great services can be found here: www.kentuckycanine.com Thank you all for your remarkable support over the years! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your appreciation and patronage of this channel, my training style, and my kennel. Always remember, it’s a great day for a puppy-sized adventure
I am in Norway and its very cool that we could learn from your course all the way over here if we ever decide we are ready to bring a dog into our family. (beyond the wall). As always great video.
Yes Sir. Indeed ,it's always a great day for a puppy - sized adventure .Especially with the cool, crisp Autumn days upon us, and already here. Thank you!
He pulls on the leash because he wants to move faster.
@@kenazfehu7176 he wants to be in charge
My favourite dog pulls for several reasons 1. Because he wants to get to interesting scents FAST! 2. Because the owners allowed it ever since they got him 3. Because I had no strategy to stop it, as he already was accustom to pull, when I first met him. So my strategy was to train him to walk off leash instead. So we only walk in nature - in the forest, in the deserted gravel pits and at the fiord, never in places with traffic. He is very good at walking off leash. Even now, when he is old and deaf, he keeps holding an eye on me, he reads my body language perfectly, much better than I thought, when he could hear, and he keeps checking in. His built in GPS still works perfectly, so when ever I get lost, he will always guide me the shortest way back to the car. I don’t have to ask him. He can see, when I’m getting confused and insecure. I am pretty sure the sniffing through all the years has contributed to build up the mental maps that give him his perfect overview of the landscape wherever we are. But if I put a leash on him, he inevitably will pull. So I don’t.
Stonnie is a breath of fresh air in this youtube world
I am a professor of English, and I was startled by the moment when I heard Dennis quote Thoreau to diagnose the sorrow of a dog's life (the "quiet desperation" remark). Walden is a living book, and the fact that this trainer applied it to his work is beautiful. Respect.
Stonnie is a sage genius.
The explanation about dogs' "quiet and desperate lives" is heartbreakingly sad.💔 😢 It's our human responsibility to love our doggos 🐕🐕🦺🐩 and give them the lives they deserve to live! 😊❣🥰
Well hallelujah; someone finally said it. Hopefully those people that have dogs as ornaments for their egos can actually be open enough to hear Stonnie’s message.
I think my dog lacks regular walks and is super excited to be outside our yard, therefore he pulls on the leash to explore as much as he can
Same here 😅
I walk mine on leash 3 times a day and he still pulls although not if I use the leash correctly
My dog pulls on leash because simply, there is something she is interested in getting to. And I love that she’s interested in stuff. I used to be really worried about teaching my dog to heal/ walk on loose leash really nice a pretty. Absolute focus and attention on me. As a novice dog handler that ended up w me getting frustrated and I agitated her on neighborhood walks. I stopped walking her as often and I took her out to an empty field and put a long line on her. I taught her to “follow me” which I think Stonnie uses as his “let’s go” command. Totally changed mine and my dog’s relationship. Her recall is great and she WANTS to follow me around in different environments. She knows that I am a symbol of showing her these safe free spaces rather than an anchor taking he to overly stimulated places. It took about 3 months of practicing this 5-7 days a week for about 20 minutes a session to build her up from pulling on leash to being great off leash with lots of dogs and ppl around (every dog is different and always be mindful of your environment) My dog is a high drive Rottweiler. Sorry for the novel but this is an emotional subject for me. I wish I could take back some methods I used on my girl to force compliance out of her.
Ditto.
Dogs always forgive our mistakes,we don't deserve them 😭
My black Labrador pulls on the leash as he wants to get cracking because there’s so much to see and do and so little time; and he has to make the most of his too brief opportunities to do what he likes doing.
Same here but ten minutes later after a game of catch mine settles down fine. Some moments have to walk on leash sometimes gets let off to be a dog. It’s a mutual compromise where we both benefit
I have said it before and I will say it again, this is THE BEST dog training channel on the internet. My life and my Lab's life have been incredibly awesome and we have had so many adventures because of everything we have learned from these videos.
Thank you!
I subscribed due to this comment. first time here
@@fbryce1ify You won't regret it. Stonnie always puts out quality, easy to follow, content that is easy to apply and very effective as long as you put in the time with your dog.
Same here I apply most of his techniques and with my working line German shepherd
Why do u use a clicker when handing out the treat?
Great advice Stonnie! Guilty here. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve said ‘’I promise, we’ll go for a long walk tomorrow”, and then get irritated when they’re not the perfect pups. My labbies deserve better. Going to make time, not excuses. Thanks again!
Good attitude!
Me too..GUILTY! ILL DO BETTER, I PROMISE..😟
It'll do you the world of good too
Me too. My Lab is short changed and it's all my fault. I will change my selfish ways and allow her to be a happy dog.
@@carolflower8015Right! There are days I don't feel like walking my Lab after work because I'm tired or it's cold, but I make myself walk her, because I made a commitment to my dog. Once we're out walking, I'm always glad we went.
Thank you for addressing little boxes that some dogs have to stay in all day. And thank you for addressing the electric collars. Much appreciated.
Agreed My Malinois/GSs never were in a crate. Except for my formerly lame pop that was beaten and abused and returned to her breeder. The breeder kept her in a crate so the other dogs wouldn't attack her. Never would use an E collar know people who got Covid Puppies and had no clue and didn't hired a. trainer so they Zapped them with the E collar.until they became vicious. What does a first time 120 pd middle aged woman doing buying a GS puppy? I seen that woman being dragged by her 100 GS. .The dog is out of control and neurotic from being Zapped and being lectured. But she tells everyone he is very Protective of her instead. Her dog bite half of an ear off of a neighbor's dog.
Agree can't believe so many dogs spend so nany hours locked up in a little cage ,my dog has never seen a cage he needs to be out and about doing things playing meeting people etc gets a bit excited but he's young and full of energy he needs an outlet for once he's bounced about a bit he calms down and settles
Crates are useful for housebreaking puppies. That's pretty much it. And don't get me started on E collars. God forbid.
I seldom have to walk my dog on leash - but when I do, I put him on a long line and let him have 50ft. The criteria is come back when I call, not jump on people and don’t pull on leash. I found Stonnie when I got an Aussie puppy in February and have followed his methods. I now have great 5 month old puppy. We have lots to learn yet and he loves to learn. I think he trusts me because there is not anything I have asked of him he won’t try and then do. I can take him to pubs and after visiting with people and other dogs he just lays down and relaxes. My dream is to have a private dog park just like Stonnies and have yearly memberships. I am not a trainer I just want to have a safe place to walk dogs off leash with like minded people. A place for dogs and humans to explore, swim and just enjoy nature
I’m a professional dog trainer and i have to say this is some of the best advice you can give as a trainer, thank you.
You just told the world that you aren't a professional.
Buddy if you can’t be nice , don’t turn on your computer, sounds like you need a hobby or validation or maybe you are just a 13 year old kid, let me talk to your dad please.
You might seriously be the best most realistic dog trainer I’ve seen.
My Malinois pulls on the leash at the start because she absolutely looks forward to her walks or jogs up the mountains with me. She's got so much energy to burn so I don't fuss over it too much, I simply mix in commands and keep her mentally stimulated in this way to have her slow down occasionally if need be. Once we've walked or jogged some distance and I've really worked her she slows down on her own but is ready to pick it up anytime to match my pace/energy. Training is a lifelong process with all dogs, especially in working lines. She loves to work, so giving my pup her free time to roam the property a few hrs a day and then having her exercise and work with me every evening gives her some structure while bonding and letting her enjoy herself. It's gotten to the point that depending on where we go for a walk or jog she has the routine down to a t, to the point where I don't even really need to say much besides giving praise when she's doing great.
The same applies to kids in terms of having well-behaved, relaxed behaviour. Great video. Love seeing all the happy dogs.
Stonnie I took your advise many months ago about off leash walks in woods etc and then doing a short leash walk with my GS Lexi. She's so worn out she just walks calmly without pulling. I guess at 18 months she's about 75% there on walking nicely on a leash. I try my best at 64, I can't run with her but I can go on great nature walks, we're retired, at home so she has company, I don't like crating dogs. She's not chewed any shoes etc and can be left free in the house if we have to leave her for a couple of hrs. Thank you for all the wonderful puppy training advise, I now have a terrific well behaved dog that comes when called, brilliant with kids and other dogs she knows well. All the best from Epsom, England 🇬🇧 ❤
That’s great!
Really like your approach which puts the dog's well being front-and-center. Thank you.
Thank you so much for what you said about e-collars. Nothing replaces just getting out there & playing & walking & hiking & swimming. I am lucky to have all that handy. My dog is one & we still use a long line for all our trail walks. I do use treats for her recall still. But the environment is mostly her reward. Love your videos!
I’ve been watching you for years and absolutely love the content you put out. Much respect for your honesty and respect for dogs. They definitely don’t get as much as they deserve. Loving your dog and respecting your dog can be two entirely different things. You’ve made my standard schnauzer one of the best friends a man could ask for. All the best to you and yours, 🍻
Thank you for the straight talk about dog training and dog behavior. I've found it extremely helpful with my puppy and have even shared it with people at the local off leash dog and found that many people who have dogs are almost totally unaware of some basics. Thank you!
Oh my gosh! That scenario you painted was heart wrenching and reminded me that too many people have dogs that shouldn’t. 😭
I love this. My malinois and my doberman are farm dogs. Running around with me all day as we work. But we still walk those two dogs every single day OFF our property down the road. Its a short walk but they LOVE it. We can't miss a day, they'd remind us. haha They get all their pee mail sniffing in during those walks. Also my doberman still pulls, he's just super excited and so it is what it is. He's so rarely on a leash that it just isn't a big deal. He just wants to quickly get to the next pee mail check. Funnily enough he does the farmers market with me every Saturday and he does NOT pull on the leash there. People come up and greet him and he's so polite and well behaved. Not like at home at all. haha!
I’ve been binge watching all of your videos, and I felt the need to stop and say this is by far one of your best videos I have watched. Thank you for your inspiration, and all the time you’ve put into your videos! Keep it up!
Finally!! Training strategies that make sense. You approach dog training the way I approach classroom teaching. I plan every lesson with the needs and intrinsic nature of my audience foremost in my mind. Most training I’ve seen works against the nature of the dog. Your approach makes perfect sense! Thank you. 🐾
Stonnie’s is one of the best companion-dog training channel, that focuses on the practical, because it is full of rare wisdom (over quick fix crap!) that comes only from a long life of hard work and loving dogs! Thanks, Stonnie!
This is possibly the best content/information on dog training I've ever seen or heard. It's good to place a mirror in front of people and let them have a good look at themselves. Keep on doing what you're doing Stonnie! You are the best dog trainer I know of.
Thank you!
Informative and helpful; love that the relationship is the foundation of the compliance!
Please put this man on mainstream television. Fantastic advice and common Sense!
God has given you a great gift Stonnie. I thank you for sharing all of your wisdom with us here on your channel. God bless you!
Thank you! May God bless your family as well!
Quite right. Great advice. Im updating my comment now that my Golden Retriever is 12 months old. He is so good and happy largely because im following Stonnies " bum training" he is good on and off leash. Off-leash he runs and plays but frequently checks in with me. I never taught him to do this. It's just a result of constant companionship, picking the right breed and having fun together
Stonnie, just Thank You. Today I went exercising Red Cross Rescue Units, here in Italy. I also had you in my mind. My great appreciation to you and your videos!
One of your best videos Stonnie. You are one of a kind.
I checked this book kzhead.infoUgkxSw1k29V8f0aNwyGI6qRGYJc3E4Y4Eoxy out at the library - read it cover to cover - and then decided to purchase it, so i can refer to it as needed. This provides additional ways to train in addition to the two obedience classes my sicx month old belgian malinois has already attended. Despite having dogs my whole life, i have been voraiciously reading dog training and psychology books lately given my little "maligator" has a mind of her own (extremely smart but obstinate) , and this one ranks among the best.
Excellent philosophy and explanation! I am 54 years old and have had dogs in my life since childhood. You are the first dog trainer I have seen on KZhead that I would trust to help train my family 👪 dog. You have earned my KZhead subscription. Looking forward to seeing your future videos.
Thank you for saying the quiet part out loud. It’s not easy but we owe it to them for everything that they give us. After having lost a few (from old age and all) I definitely don’t want to have any regrets with the current pups.
What a marvelous tutorial! I’m getting my puppy in 4 weeks. I’m so excited I found your video.
Adopted my 80lb long coated GSD last year at 3 years old. He's come such a long way! Doesn't pull as much as he did, but it's always because of two distractions: squirrels and barking dogs. Have spent a lot of time and put in miles of walks. He has the occasional bad day, but mostly he's good. He still is a little defiant sometimes and when he has to sit and "leave it" will do it, but look away from me. I've used treats a lot. Not at all food motivated at first Had to use hot dogs for a while to get him to look at me, and at times just got in front of him, held his face, and petted him. We passed a dog with similar challenges a few times at the park today. It was barking and lunging. So proud! He ignored it- mostly because he was very busy sniffing things. Note: I'm old with almost zero strength due to back stuff, and I do use a prong, usually on a loose leash, because otherwise I may not be able to hold him should he encounter one of those little yippee dogs on a retractable leash that's allowed to approach within a couple feet, or a loose dog doing the same. Prey drive is the main cause of pulling, plus not always feeling confident and connected with me.
I just rescued a GSD 1 month ago. Age 3. Lol. And he pulls. So ironic. Have a river walking trail and he lives squirrel. That is the strongest pull and surprise. He's sees before I do. I'm older also and use a training collar with prongs to control. He's getting better but when use regular collar he goes back to pulling. Not giving up.
Oh and the rescue place said he weighs 80 lbs..
I really needed to hear this. Thank you ❤
One of the best Videos. Words of wisdom. It's about life.
I train my furry friends to walk with me. You're right - in the long process it sometimes takes, your energy goes down the leash, they feel you and that is an important part of how they act. I have made behavior better in many dogs for friends, even a pair of timber wolves once - they were blood brothers, and never fought after I left. The hardest, taking longest to achieve a no pull walk had only been trained in one thing - pulling sleds. His mother was a Champion and he had gotten up to 1600 lbs in training. Very strong dog, and if all dogs were as sweet as him, everyone would want a dog. His owner said to me just before we finished the walk he took with us "I never trained him to walk . . " with bewilderment in his speech and expression. Soft loving voice, calmness, praising the good and downplaying the bad can make them want to do what you'd like to make you happy. Lovingkindness, not yelling and other bad human traits, can work wonders with ease and fun.
Love this take and your advice! I know when my dog pulls on the leash it means she has excess energy or anxiety in that moment. I am lucky enough that she loves to please regardless of food or tools.
Thanks for the reminder. I greatly appreciate the honesty about the matter. You are a genuine great person. Really really good reminder to me how I am failing my dog...
SUCH good advice!!! Thanks! I TOTALLY support this approach.
He pulls on the leash because going for walks is the best experience of his life and he cant wait to do it.
Can we get a behind the scenes video? I’m interested in what the dog’s housing look like. And what your schedule is. And how you select dogs that can come to your facility. I noticed that when they walk in a group, everyone is getting along with each other. But in “the real world” that’s not really how it goes when you put a lot of random dogs together. So I’m curious what the whole process behind it is. Do dogs have to do some sort of “intake” first? I’m just very interested in the whole organization!
Me too!
That's exactly how it works in the real world if one is careful about selecting their peer groups.
I think dogs raised around lots of other k-9 buddies tend to do well in group situations as they are well versed in doggie conversation but most dogs we have rarely get the chance to work and adventure with other pups and just like anyone raised in isolation they develope issues. If you notice all the dogs he has out are all engaged in activities. They are moving with purpose. They are not just standing around in a sterile environment twiddling thumbs looking for trouble.
As always.....the Voice of Reason.....loving your work
Thank you Stonnie. More people need to hear this message. Love your dog training and how you spend quality time with the dogs.
Uncle Stonnie.....you are the best!! Biblical principles-love, trust, patience, respect, etc......train yourself, train your dog, train your children. My fox red English lab Ruby Rose (who wants to be a black lab, by the way 🙂) knows your name- when I say, "let's watch Uncle Stonnie" or " Uncle Stonnie says..." Ruby gets excited and wags her tail.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy our content!
Thanks for explaining the problem Stonnie. Do you have any practical tips for city dwellers who don't have the luxury of letting our dogs off leash?
Dog treadmill? Dog park? Cat?
I have been taking my dog to daycare since he was a puppy ( after he had all his vaccines) . He absolutely loves playing with all his dog friends and i feel good at work knowing he's there having fun. We then go for a walk after i pick him up and we really enjoy that time together. I do appreciate this video a lot Stonnie , I was guilty of a few of these not so good methods .
Crazy good video. I agree and am glad that a video like this is out there to help dogs and their owners. Thanks stonnie!
Great video….as always! I recently read a book called In Defence of Dogs by John Bradshaw and it has really increased my empathy for my dog, your video adds to this. Not enough people understand their dogs properly. What good tips can you give us for pre fatiguing if we don’t have a big garden/field like you? I was thinking things like mental work in the home and garden, even just as simple as scattering their food out on the lawn so they have to sniff it out to find it and use their brain and natural scavenging behaviours?
The uncomfortable truth is that the vast majority of dog owners have no business owning a dog. They have neither the time nor the interest in sharing their life with another soul. It’s all about them and what they want from their dog. Same is true for the vast majority of horse owners. We humans can be horrifically selfish.
I have an acquaintance. She hates dogs. Her 12 year old was entirely responsible for “the child’s dog”. The dog just died at age 5 from preventable causes because the mom would not take the dog to the vet. It died over a week long illness. She then got donations for another dog. She got a lab puppy and says she will never walk it, not her dog. That big lab will not be so easy to manage as their small dog.
100% Stonnie! You are So right!!! Blessings
Fantastic Channel. Been watching for a few years. We leave the channel on in the main room when we leave to entertain our two labs. Between the many dogs and the commands, hell they might even learn something. Keep the great content coming.
Haha! Best comment👍🏼
Omg how you described how most people have dogs in the beginning is so accurate! Drives me crazy.
Love this guy what an insight into some dogs lives
100% spot on
Stonnie always speaking truth! 💗🐾
Very well stated Stonnie. Such common sense training.
Love your message!
One of the greatest training videos ever!!!!
What a ray of sunshine. Hit the nail on the head with this vidio. Thank you
Great video Stonnie, my German Shepard puppy is going to get exactly what you prescribed on our walks. Thank you so much!!
Another amazing video ! Thanks Stonnie !
Thank you for watching!
Subbed. The way you break it down is great
Wow! so well put.
Love this perspective!
Thanks. This was really helpful !
Love it! Balanced Common Sense Training.👍👍👍
My dog used to pull on his leash because he wants to go a particular spot while I'm walking him in my neighborhood or park. Kudos for an interesting n informative upload. Anticipating ur next one. Peace
Awesome content, Stonnie. My lab is a little hyper and I'm a city boy training Jim for ducks. When I don't get him the exercise, and I leave him alone too much, all the bad behaviors come out. I always say that players win games and coaches lose games. i.e. owners set the dog up for the victories. ❤
Have learned how to bring up my GSD since a pup she is now 5yrs she loves her walks I have followed you to the letter she follows the lead when I need her too her manners are fab all thanks to you I even thank her for every good job she does
Thank you for this great perspective, especially on e-collars, exactly what I was looking for.
Agree. E Collars, what a terrible tool for almost ever situation. Do more with your dog and reward good behavior, that alone will give you a good dog.
One of the very best videos I’ve ever found. Excellent as are all the others. And love your accent too.
Thank you!
Complete explanation. I really enjoy and learn a lot from your videos . Thank you !!
I’m glad you like our content!
Sensible, logical and practical. Good video.
We started training our black lab when he was a puppy-he’s 4 now. Took a bit of time to train as we kept consistent with his training. He gets walked daily, sometimes twice a day, and he knows not to pull and if he does, he gets corrected. I did watch the rest of your video and I agree that letting them run around and have fun too - we are lucky because my lab gets to run off leash during our walk and maybe that’s why he’s good on the leash he gets to have fun during his daily walk.
Lots of energy, very excited to be where we are and wants to run!
Uncle Stonnie for President! So well put sir.
So glad I found you! Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
I Love your approach to dogs!! ❤️
Thank you, this is an eye-opener advise
My springer just follows her nose. After a bit she drop back and follow lead well. At time, she is 4, I thought we were just doing too much off leash trail hiking, 45 to 55 miles a week. Normal style is 6am yard time, then after some coffee we do a morning walk, mid day, evening walk. Every other day is the adventure days, still morning walks but follows with 8 to 12 mile moutain off leash hike. I need day of recovery, and she show no sides of being tired. We have much longer hikes with dog showing no negative effects on daily checkup. Thanks again for all you do. Sharing by doing really helps. Only thing I (selfish) would love to see is 2022 field springer with Uncle Stonnie.
Great advice! I was very frustrated because my dog and I had hit a learning plateau and she just wouldn't focus on leash walking at all and when I realised how frustrated I was and how I was starting to let it out on her I paused and tried to figure out WHY. My answer was: I have a mix of breeds (main part Viszla) that was bred to be extremely focused on their surrounding and go from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds. And on top of that, she's in the middle of puberty. Her main problem was that she would just get too excited by other triggers and not be able to manage that excitement herself. So I managed my expectations, helped her with managing her excitement and when she gets too over the top to focus, we take a break, reset her focus on me and continue, when I know, I have her attention. Oh and this is maybe 10% of our walk, the rest is adventuring together, free walking, dummy and scent training, silly play etc. I totally agree, 15 second clips will not "solve" your dogs leash walking. Listening to your dog and treating them fairly and with respect will.
Truth, I’m glad you do this ..
Love your videos Stonnie! Your the best.
Great Introduction! Love from Mexico
Excited and lots of energy.
Amen. Exercise is love for dogs
I appreciate your insight into what a dog Needs. Your experience truly comes thru. We are a couple, over 50. We rescued a male Corso and a female Presa. They are truly a daily training experience, after 4 years, we are blessed, we also have a senior pom and a mix, border collie/lab. If we didn't have a farm, I don't know that we would have taken them on. They both now love children, very protective, but true to the breeds, they are so loving.
The best dog video period.....
Thank you. You have really helped me.
Mine do not pull on the leash . I trained all 3 of them in stages and we did it slowly like you said.Thank you for all your free content!
Love this guy ❤, so true .
This was amazing..I train and I am on board with your perspective
Because she wants to run and that’s what we do daily to release that need. Great video. Thank you!!!
Outstanding!
Look at all those good dogs! Stonnie, you have a good life there, all that canine love each and every day.