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Module 1: Why Pulling Happens
Pulling isn't dominance. It isn't disobedience. It's reinforcement — every pull that gets the dog closer to something interesting teaches them pulling works.
4 min read Beginner
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The reinforcement loop
Dog pulls → owner takes a step → dog reaches sniff/dog/person → reward. The leash is irrelevant; the forward motion is the paycheck.
The break-the-loop rule
If the leash tightens, forward motion stops. Period. No exceptions, ever. This single rule, kept perfectly, fixes 80% of pulling.
Why corrections fail
Prong/choke corrections suppress pulling in the moment but don't teach an alternative. The dog pulls the second the tool comes off.
Key takeaways
- ★Pulling is rewarded by forward motion
- ★Tight leash = zero steps, always
- ★Suppression isn't training
Lesson checklist
Action items to put this module into practice.
- Commit to the stop rule for 14 days
- Tell all walkers the rule
- Remove any prong/choke from rotation