I hear this question all of the time "How do I train my Labrador Retriever to not pull when walking her on a leash?" from family and friends that have this beautiful breed.

It is no secret that Labrador Retrievers are a very energetic and rambunctious breed that requires a lot of love and attention. It is also no secret that they give back 110% of that love and attention making them one of the best breeds to have as a family pet.

It really bothers me to see folks struggling with their Labs and getting frustrated with them while doing something as common as a walk in the park, it's not their fault that we take such a high spirited dog and try to domestic them. So I decided to go online and do a little research to see if I could find the techniques used by other owners in order to answer the question presented in this article.

I found many answers to this question from Yahoo's Answers at http://au.answers.yahoo.com/ and what I found seems to be solid advice that can be followed by anyone now owning or those interested in obtaining such a beautiful dog.

Listed below are several good options for preventing your Lab from pulling while on a leash.

• You should really sign up for a Labrador puppy training class.
  

   

  
  

   

  
  


• For older dogs, Labrador Retrievers Obedience Training is a good idea.
  

   

  
  

   

  
  


• Buy something called a Gentle Leader; it is a collar that basically goes around the neck right behind the ears (not like a regular collar a bit higher) and another loop around the muzzle. It doesn't keep her mouth closed but when you pull it pulls their muzzle. Do not yank the dog but instead a short swift tug and release will help the dog feel that quick snap causing her to slow down and wait for you. Leave the gentle leader on her in the house to get used to it even it's not attached to any leash.
  

   

  
  

   

  
  


• When she is walking and she pulls ahead, stop and call her name. Wait for her to come back to you and give her a pat and a treat. If she looks at you but doesn't move try stepping back excitedly and she should come. Do this on every walk.
  

   

  
  

   

  
  


• Keep the leash very short while you are walking (like 6-8 inches). This keeps her from being able to gain the momentum to pull. As you let the leash out just a bit, if she pulls, STOP, wait until she quits pulling to continue. Each time she pulls either stop immediately or turn and go the opposite direction.
  

   

  
  

   

  
  


• Part of the problem could be the collar placement. Most collars lay at the base of the neck, which is where the hard muscle is. The only problem is that with rambunctious dogs like labs is that they can pull hard and be unfazed due to the strength of that muscle. Try fitting a collar higher on the neck, behind the ears. There is much less muscle there so she gets less leverage to pull. It also gives you, the owner, greater control over where she goes and how much momentum she can get. Hold the leash so that when your arm is comfortably at your side, the dog has a little bit of slack. This keeps her close to you without choking her. Then, if she decides she wants to go one way or the other, she meets the resistance of the collar and leash before she's more than a few inches away.
  

   

  
  

   

  
  


• When she pulls hard, correct her by pulling back on the leash. You don't have to jerk her off her feet, but pull sharp enough that she gets the hint. At the same time, use a sound that will get her attention, like warning a child. Keep her close to you and do not give an inch. If she pulls harder, stand your ground and make her sit down. This will stop her advances further and helps to bring her attention back to you. She will get the point rather quickly and will be walking nicely before you know it.
  

   

  
  

   

  
  


• Before leaving the house, make sure you go out the door first. If she tries to pull you because she has seen something she wants, command her to STOP, sit and stay, a firm "Leave it" should help. Repeat it often.
  

   

  
  

   

  
  


• Sometimes adding weight to her will calm her down like a back pack or vest with pockets of water bottle on each side.

It will take about a week or so with this type of training before successfully walking her in public, if anyone wants to pet her while you are doing this just explain that she is in training and most people will understand and wish you good. I hope this advice will help make your Labrador a better walking partner.