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Walking your dog can be one of the many pleasures of having a canine friend. However, when your dog pulls on the leash and creates a power struggle during your walks, this pleasant time can turn into something not so pleasant. Not to worry, there are ways you can stop your dog from continuing this annoying habit.

If your dog is pulling on the leash, the first thing you need to do is remind yourself that it takes two to pull. In other words, you are pulling just as much as your dog is pulling! You must change the way you think about the leash. A dog’s leash can be compared to the seat belt in a car. A seat belt is a safety device, just as a leash is used to keep your pet safe. You do not drive your car with the seat belt, and you should not attempt to “drive” your dog with the dog leash.

The next thing you need to do is to stop rewarding your dog’s habit of pulling on the leash by continuing to walk. As soon as your dog begins to put tension on the leash, you should stop moving immediately. Your dog is pulling on the leash because he wants to get somewhere quickly and if you continue to allow forward movement, you are simply rewarding his pulling behavior. This may be a frustrating solution at first because you will feel like you are doing more standing than walking, but your dog will quickly learn that putting tension on the leash does not equate to getting some place quickly. Your dog will make the connection that pulling on the leash means stopping and waiting.

When your dog pulls on the leash and you stop, your dog will inevitably turn and look at you to see what has happened. At this point, you should praise your dog for this attention and encourage your dog to return to a position that is next to you. You may even find it necessary to take a few steps backwards to entice your dog to follow you. Once the dog is in the correct position next to your leg, offer a reward such as food and praise or perhaps a much loved toy. If your dog returns to putting tension on the leash, stop again immediately and repeat the process. Again, this may be a frustrating repetition of steps when you are first attempting to break this habit, but your dog will quickly learn that pulling the leash does not equal movement; while walking in the correct position garners him praise and positive attention.

Consistency is key, so you must be resolute in breaking your dog’s leash pulling habit. Do not give up or give in and allow your dog to pull or you will simply undo any hard work you have done in attempt to break the leash pulling habit. If you find it hard to not break this habit for yourself, you can consider using a waist leash so you can go hands free.

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If you have a dog, and you travel, you know what a chore putting the two together can be. Highly trained dogs are great, coming when they are called, sitting when they are told, and staying quiet. Unfortunately, most of us have dogs that are not highly trained, that bark at the wrong time, run away if left unleashed, and behave badly at exactly the wrong time. How can you get one of these little monsters from point A to point B? That depends on how far you have to travel and what you are comfortable with.

Many of us take road trips at least once a year. Bringing the family dog is an option, especially if you cannot get somebody to babysit. How far you can go and how comfortably depends on the size and temperament of the dog, as well as the size of your automobile. Smaller or medium sized dogs are pretty easy to travel with in almost any car. If the dog is calm, he can sit on somebody’s lap, in an empty seat, or in the back if the only people in the car are in the front. If he is rambunctious, a carrier is the best way to go. SUVs are the best automobile to use when driving with a dog. The large covered area in the back provides the dog with enough room to move around, stretch out, and lay down while you drive. Make sure to stop every now and again to give the dog a chance to relieve himself, or you might not like the way your car smells.

Another option is air travel. Traveling with dogs on a plane is a bit trickier. Smaller dogs give you more options. On almost any airline, a dog can be shipped as cargo. The dog is loaded into an appropriate sized carrier and is carried in the luggage compartment of the plane. This can be traumatic to your dog. You may want to consider talking to a veterinarian about getting a mild sedative to help the dog sleep through the trip. On some airlines, a small dog with a good temperament can be carried in the cabin. The dog must be carried in a duffel bag style carrier. The carrier has openings for air to get in, and zips up like a duffel bag. The dog can be put in easily, and carried over the shoulder. Airlines that allow this method of pet travel use weight as a limitation, meaning that it is only available for the smallest breeds of dog.

Traveling with dogs can be a harrowing experience. Whether driving or flying, the trip can cause enormous amounts of stress for you and your dog. Be sure to allow plenty of time to prepare, no matter what method of traveling you are using. Think about what the trip will involve, and over-plan to make sure that all contingencies are accounted for. The last thing you need is a dog that needs something you did not think to bring with you. That has the potential to make a bad situation worse.

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One of the greatest things about small dogs is their portability. With the right carrier, we can take them with us almost anywhere, which is good because our small pets are so adorable we hardly want to be without them. But if you are going to travel and plan to take your small dog with you, there are some things to keep in mind to safely and humanely travel with your small dog.

If your trip will be relatively short, the first thing to keep in mind when traveling with a small dog is their comfort. If the dog is traveling by crate, place a soft blanket inside. Make sure the crate or dog bag is large enough for your pooch so that he or she is not cramped for the duration of the journey. Be sure to place some treasured things from home in the dog’s travel case. A pillow he or she sleeps on and their favorite toy should be placed inside the bag to remind them of home and to give them familiar smells. Bring a lot of little treats to boost your puppy’s spirits during the journey. Talk to him or her frequently and if you can, reach inside and pet him or her as often as you can. During layovers or stops, let your dog out to walk and go to the bathroom. Be sure to clean up after him or her. When you arrive at your destination, give your dog a long walk. After being cooped up all day, it will be a real treat for your small dog to stretch her legs and run free for a bit.

If you are going to be traveling by plane, there are a few extra things to keep in mind if you are traveling with your small dog. If you book your flight online, you may still have to additionally call the airline to book your pet. There is usually a small fee for your pet to join you in the cabin of the plane. Make sure you check with your particular airline by calling them or visiting them for more info specific to their airline. The pet carrier will be counted as carry-on luggage and will need to fit under the seat in front of you. An airline may say that the maximum height allowance is only 9 inches. Your dog also has to be able to stand up, turn around and lie down naturally in the carrier. A soft carrier is ideal for airplane travel. One reason is that you may find one with a height of 11″ high, but it is pliable enough to fit under the seat. Websites like swankpets.com have a wide assortment of soft carriers starting at $59 for your small dog to travel in.

Carefully consider if your pet could endure a really long flight. It may not be practical to expect them to stay under the seat in front of you in a little carrier less than a foot high for hours and hours. In this case, a trusted friend to check on your pet during your absence or kenneling them may be a better option for both you and your dog.

SwankPets
3525 Lebon Drive, Unit A.
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 272-9882