Nicole's Staffordshire Terrier excels at tricks but transforms into an unstoppable pulling machine the moment a leash appears, especially when heading to the dog park.
• Teaching proper leash pressure is fundamental to stop pulling
• "Pressure on, pressure off" method establishes clear communication
• Pulling gets rewarded when it leads to exciting destinations like dog parks
• Dogs pull because they learn it works to get what they want
• Smart dogs can have poor manners when competing motivations are present
• Loose leash walking requires dedicated practice sessions
• Walking drills should progress from low to high distraction environments
• Different training tools (slip leads, prong collars) distribute pressure better than flat collars
• E-collar training can help with persistent leash issues after foundations are built
• Consistency matters - never reward pressure on the leash
Remember, it's not about being stronger than your dog - it's about teaching them that pulling never works to get what they want.
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