I found this method of training to be very effective, so much so, that, within just a few days, the results were amazing and more important: lasting... no more pulling :o))))

The instructions were very clear, and the follow-up e-mails were a big help as well as encouraging. I would highly recommend it.

Sincerely,
Jory

Before: Gus is a 2 1/2 year old Miniature Schnauzer that we have had since he was 14 weeks old, and he currently weighs about 22 pounds. I did not know that 22 pounds could pull me off my feet, as I am not a small person. It was extremely embarrassing to be dragged from place to place by our little darling. I would literally have to plant my feet squarely to get him stopped. My husband laughed at me saying, "how can he be pulling THAT hard?". I quietly handed him the leash and as if on cue, Gus took off for a nearby tree to investigate. I watched my 300 pound husband with arm outstretched trying to keep up with Gus. When I quit laughing a very disgruntled husband returned Gus' leash to me and apologized. Then I started searching for ways to correct Gus' behavior...

After: I downloaded the "Don't Pull on the Leash" book from your website and read through it a few times so I could understand the principle. The next thing that happened was a MIRACLE! The progress was slow at first because of some illness for me and my husband, and then the weather turned inclement. BUT, the idea was in our heads. When it got nice enough to walk again, we started in earnest. Gus is quite smart and figured out right away that pulling was not good!

We aren't perfect yet, but the results have been dramatic, and it's actually a pleasure to go for walks now. Thank you so much for the book and the help! It has added insight into other aspects of training that I have been trying to implement.

Sincerely,
Anna and Gus

Here my (short) story about the results of your e-book "Don't Pull on the Leash!". It is probably not the most interesting story, because my dog wasn't a "heavy puller" to begin with, but I liked to implement the recommendations/exercises in the book anyway. (Sorry for my incorrect English but it is not my native language; I'm from Amsterdam, Holland.)

Before:
My dog (born 18 July 2003), borderterrier, wasn't a "heavy puller", but sometimes (and mostly at the start of a walk, before he could run free), he did pull when he saw something interesting, 99% of the cases, another dog.

I also wanted to improve my pack-leadership with him with the don't pull exercises. Because he normally only pulled at the beginning of a walk, I couldn't start the "don't pull training" at the end of a walk, like the book suggested.

I also found/find it difficult with my dog to find the best reward, because that can change in a minute with him! It might be food at one moment and the next moment it is playing, and then nothing is interesting enough for him, because the subject he wants to pull me to is an other VERY interesting dog, etc.

After:
I started training about 4 weeks ago. (I received the e-book earlier, but I didn't start the training then). I think my dog is moderate with the speed he picks up the lessons. I see definite improvement, but not yet in every situation. That's actually the stage I am at right now, so I have to continue practicing.

I further like you to know that I think the book is great, I like your approach of training; it makes a lot of sense, and there is a lot of useful information for having a nice relationship with my dog in the book. Thanks for that! Oh, and to finish: my dog is a real stubborn terrier, not the easiest dog to train I think ; -)

Cheers,
Nancy

Thank you for the chance to train with you on this "Don't Pull on the Leash" project. I say "train with you" Mogens, because reading what you write is like talking to you - I just know it is - and I have never spoken with you - as yet! I printed off the booklet so I could take it to bed to read. I do my best reading there with my 18 month old Dobie lying beside me, under her red down blanket, resting her head on my tummy. No, Vera is not too spoiled! She was part sled-dog pulling Dobie - but not so much any more, I am happy to report.

I read through the booklet 3 times - there is a lot of information there to absorb and plan in your head to know what you are going to do, how to start and what words you are going to use so you are consistent with everything. We did start all right, what a rude awakening at first for Vera to have to come back around, back around, back around........... when that leash tightened. I was not going along for the ride any more - gee - what happened?

I think, walking my route the first day, I actually did it twice with all the back arounds I did. It took a while for Vera to realize I was not going to stop or relent, and it was up to her - when the leash tightened - back around we went. We even turned around in the middle of the road when she pulled - no cars coming of course - safety first.

She still thinks there are times when I will let her get away with it - when walking with friends and not paying full attention to her - but I do my best to stay on it as I have found it's the only way. Consistency can be difficult - with kids and with dogs!! It really takes an effort as all training does.

I am very happy with Vera's progress. We still have some pulling around squirrels and bunnies - I am still doing the back-arounds and I expect to be, for some time to come, under certain circumstances - but we have made progress, and that is the main thing. No doubt it is pleasant and easier to walk with her now than 3 months or so ago. I work on attention/focus with her constantly - we are in obedience training, and I hope to trial her next year. She is so pleased with herself when she is rewarded for doing the right thing, and I want to keep it as interesting and fun as I can with her.

Thank you again - take care -
Anita and Vera

First of all, I would like to thank you for a very good book!

I think it is nice to hear about someone who is not mean to the dog and threaten the dog to listen.

I really liked your book and I think that there are many good suggestions to a different training.

So I am very glad that I downloaded it!

Hi from Lissi, Denmark

My 8 yr. spayed, female brindle boxer/lab/rottweiler is 99% of the time a JOY to share life with. Hubby & I became her guardians when she was just 7 weeks old. She was gifted to us by friends from the Mohawk community in Quebec.

We have not made the same mistakes with her as we did with our previous canine companions, regarding vaxx & commercial dog foods. At 8, she is sleek & shinny, no lumps nor cloudy eyes or smelly ears & breath. As a house pet, she has always been extremely clean & non-destructive. Unfortunately, she has always been actively dominant over 95% of all other dogs we encounter, especially the smaller types of breeds. She has never bitten or injured, even when managing to catch the "prey". But it does definitely greatly upset & scare the other parties involved. For this reason, she is always kept on leash. I feel bad about that, but we live in Montreal & have strictly enforced bylaws.

She is not a backyard dog. We walk the streets 3x a day, up to an hour each time. I should mention that the pulling problem is much more profound when I am walking her rather than my husband. She respects his Alpha-ism. It seems I am more of an equal, in her eyes.

I do have her under my control at all times, even if only by brute strength (during problem episodes). In the past, I had always used distraction as a tool. She loves to carry along a toy or ball & it has worked fairly well, though not always.

The Eureka moment came for me was when I read the part about how most problem behavior during walks are caused by passive walking. The whole concept of the training method makes perfect sense for me since I had already been (very unprofessionally) using tactics like changing directions or turning corners. The method automatically forces much more interaction between us, thus giving me her attention, & a greatly improved control over her during our daily walks.

Danielle

Frankie's Foibles

My name is Frankie. I'm a neutered, soon to be 7 year old Australian Shepherd. Have I had fun running my leader (Caroline) off her feet! I am good at following instructions, love agility, hate formal obedience (I walked right out of the ring in my first show). Caroline said she would never get me to do that ever again, and I believe her.

I am the best nanny for puppies that you could ever imagine. The dams totally trust me with their young and when they are a bit older I teach them manners. Now don't I sound like the perfect all-around dog! Guess what, I have a foible.

At first I thought a foible was something you threw in the air and I could catch it but no, it's a weakness: "Pulling on the leash". I just forget with all those good smells and stuff to explore. Since Caroline signed up for "The Peeing Post" and downloaded your book we have figured out a way for us both to enjoy a walk together. Did you know you can teach an older dog and pack leader new tricks? Thank you. I can hardly wait to watch as Caroline teaches one of the pups to have an enjoyable walk.

Yours truly,
Frankie

Although it was specifically stated in "Don't Pull on the Leash!" to not use the technique to deal with fear or aggression-based leash pulling issues in the dog, that is exactly what I did! The main reason my dog pulls on his leash is because he is trying to get away from something that is scaring him, or trying to get through an area which is generally causing him anxiety. When he is calm and collected, he doesn't pull (except when a cat crosses our walking path!)

My dog is a 3-year old 100-lb. Lab/Akita mix. I got him when he was 1 year old. He was severely undersocialized as a pup, and is scared of a great many things, seen and unseen. He has improved a lot over the last two years, with a long way to go.

My objective with him is to keep him interactive instead of reactive, regardless of what we are doing. The "Don't Pull on the Leash!" technique works just beautifully to accomplish this. Time after time I've seen him choose to heed my "warning" command rather than just take off with a jerk and pull us both away from something. He is interested enough in staying interactive with me that he is able to stay "sane" when confronted with something that scares him. He doesn't go completely reactive on me! He knows a fun time will come immediately when he follows me. He knows there's something fun and happy in it for him if he doesn't pull on the leash, regardless of why he might want to pull on the leash. With this dog fun is gradually winning out over fear. Slowly, slowly, he understands that the entire walk can be fun, instead of like walking a gauntlet of scary things.

I highly recommend this technique for working with fear-based leash pulling! And I am thrilled to have found something that really works. Prior to getting "Don't Pull On the Leash!" I had tried all the standard no-pull techniques, and they resulted in increasing his anxiety, and my frustration at not being able to help him and being tugged around. Making sure to give the dog a fun time when turning the 180 degrees has been a key element in this all-around GREAT don't-pull technique!

Pam
Washington

Comment from Mogens Eliasen: This is a borderline situation, with the dog's fear being very moderate, and most likely more embedded in habit than original fear. It worked because it was possible to make the dog experience joy in the situation that started with a fear response! For a dog with a heavy fear ingrained, this will not be the case - and the result will then be the exact opposite: the fear reaction gets worse! So, although I appreciate the recommendation, I do not want to pass it on without this warning...

I am not sure if what I will say will be worth repeating to others or be of such literary greatness that others would be able to rate it better then others recaps of their dogs challenges on the "Pull" issue.

Emma is a wonderful, 2.5 year Nova Scotia Duck Toller Retriever and our second Toller. Emma is much more active than our first Toller, and I can only imagine it is because of the exercise, time spent, and the RAW diet she is on.

Most stories I have heard on the Tollers is that they do not mature until well after 2 years of age, and one can not "train" them as pets much before that. Emma is a pet and is a pleasure to walk, play with and be a part of, definitely not part of others' stereotyping of the breed. Hence the pleasure for walking; this is why I took you up on your e-book offer for free training - and now the results.

Dogs pull and that is a natural instinct, viewed by myself, and Emma was no different. Our walks with Emma were difficult and we live up a short sharp drive that weather conditions sometimes make slippery. Add a pulling Toller, and we are training for the 'Iditarod Race'. I do not use a choke collar, not even in training, so needed your help to correct the lunge "to be there first".

Reading, reading, and reviewing your material before working with Emma proved most beneficial and less inconvenient than walking with a pulling Toller at the end of one arm, a book on the end of the other arm, an umbrella clenched by armpit to chest to keep all dry, except the Toller - you get the picture. Following your steps and gradual implementation makes a big difference on the retention of behavior in Emma. As 'Rome was not built in a day", neither was the re-incarnation of a well behaved Toller on a slack lead, at your side, that wants to be there. We now look better walking after the training than we did prior, as we no longer look like we are indecisive about going somewhere, no more changing direction every time the pulling commenced.

I have set in some easy behavior tools of my own that I "remember" to use every time we go, i.e. sit and wait by the door for her collar; I go through the door first, not you; I am the Alpha and check with me if it will be okay to bolt after that cat, bird, squirrel.

Having a command to bring her back to her senses when inappropriate exuberance starts to take over is great. Having a command to send her racing across the field is even better. These help Emma to keep her safe and out of harm's way, as there is nothing worse than a dog whipping around on the end of a lead possibly causing a situation to worsen.

The content and follow up from Peoss were excellent; it helped keep me on track and diligent on practicing what I have read. Emma is now well behaved on our outings and gets lots of off-leash time to check out the world once we get to our walk destination whether it is the park or trails around the lake.

Thanks for the book
Emma (training's over - I can revert)
& Brian (Remember who is Alpha, Em)

After owning a dog who was easy to train and perfectly behaved, I had a rude shock when I got my present dog Taz. She is boisterous, extremely strong and very stubborn. She learnt a few basics, but taking her for a walk was a nightmare. Whatever I tried, she pulled. She would also lunge at anything that moved, and several times, I ended up face down in the mud. Having decided I was a useless trainer, I bought a book on positive training but faced with phrases like "operant conditioning" I soon decided I was not only useless but thick as well!

Then I got the offer of "Don't pull on the Leash", I can honestly say it has changed my life. It was a pleasure to read and easy to follow, and more importantly: everything made sense. Even so, I was very skeptical that it would actually work for Taz. She is such a difficult dog. I really thought nothing would ever make her walk on a loose lead. But I decided to give it a try, and what a change! Taz now walks perfectly, though I must admit she will still lunge on occasions if she sees a squirrel before I do (I'm working on that). But the change is nothing short of miraculous. Don't get me wrong - it involved a lot of work and did not happen overnight, but by following Mogens' instructions, I now have a dog who is a pleasure to take out.

I cannot thank you enough Mogens. A few months ago I was at my wit's end (with a permanent sore shoulder as well). Now thanks to you I am looking forward to the summer and long walks in the country. And I don't feel useless any more!

Lynda