The one thing that stops a dog pulling on the lead

A dog expert has revealed the 'only tip you need' to prevent your four-legged friend from tugging on the lead - and pet owners are calling it a 'game changer'.

Southend Dog Training has posted on social media revealing a technique for managing your dogs on walks and making sure you both enjoy the fresh air together. In his clip, the expert explained: "If your dog pulls on a lead, listen to this. Do this one thing and it'll change how your dog walks. Instead of pulling back, yanking or restraining, pull up." He explains this approach will help reduce the dog's speed, while dragging the lead backwards simply encourages more pulling.

He continued: "When a dog is being training in bite work, it's often being pulled back creating restraint. To cause the dog to drive forward harder.

"We unintentionally apply this technique to dogs when we want them to stop pulling forward.

"We unintentionally frustrate the dog. Pull up on a short but relaxed lead and then relax and your dog will slow down."

He also advised owners against getting their dogs excited prior to a walk, suggesting it's preferable to ensure their companion is settled before stepping outside.

Responding to his video, one person wrote: "My Springer Spaniel is terrible for pulling. I'll try this tomorrow."

Another person commented: "I think my dog is broken I've pulled up since the day I got him. That lead is never relaxed. He waits nicely at the door and gate then thinks he has."

A third person remarked: "I tried this, but makes no difference especially at the starts of walk when he's super excited I feel like I've tried everything."

Someone else suggested: "Teach your dog the 'stop' command. Walk a few paces, when it pulls say STOP. And do exactly that. Then walk. Repeat. Walk."

Another person shared: "I've got a German shepherd puppy 1 year old. Every time I get his lead out he goes crazy making it difficult to put his lead on."

This follows advice from an expert who cautioned pet owners against giving in when their animals make 'complaining' noises.

The canine expert from K9 University Dog Training posted on TikTok offering crucial guidance for dog owners, recommending they avoid responding to particular sounds their pets make.

In the footage, the expert outlines "three different sounds your dogs make, what they mean and how you should respond". The initial recommendation is to resist giving in when a pooch makes a 'complaining' sound, typically while pawing or scratching.

The expert cautions: "This behaviour should never be rewarded by letting them have what they want otherwise it'll exacerbate the issue."

Regarding a dog's whining or crying, which may lead an owner to provide reassurance, the trainer recommends doing precisely the reverse.

He explains: "This is a sign that your dog is anxious or stressed. There are two different sides to this - there's a whine that's self-soothing and there's a whine that can escalate into a bigger reaction like barking or lunging."

The last noise to watch out for is howling, which the trainer indicates typically signals separation anxiety: "They're lonely and trying to find the rest of their pack."