If you want to be the one to walk your dog instead of the other way around, you will have to take the leash by both hands and start training. You may think it is funny watching dogs in the park dragging their owners around, but allowing this to happen can be ultimately a danger to your dog. What if the collar or leash breaks and you and your dog are close to traffic? Plus, they could eventually hurt themselves when their collars cut into their neck.
Before determining your best course of training action, try to decide what the major cause of the leash pulling is. There could be a number of factors. Your dog may simply be so excited about the thought of walking with you that they cannot control their exuberance. Sometimes, your dog is trying to assert himself as the "alpha" in the relationship. If it is simple excitement, try and spend a few quiet moments with your dog, giving him lots of love before heading out for a walk. Sometimes, this is enough to calm them right down so both of you can enjoy the walk without the pulling and yanking of the leash.
If control is the primary issue however, you will have to learn about restraining techniques. This comes with investing some time with dog training. Your dog has to understand and respect that you are top dog, not him. Without this delineation of who is in control, you might as well hang up that leash. If it takes going back to basics, it is worth your time and your dog's to learn some rudimentary steps in obedience training.
The first step of instructing your dog to be calm on a leash is teaching him to allow the collar and leash to be placed on him. If your dog is acting hyper and jumping around, leash walking will not work with him. You will have to calm him first before you can try putting the collar and leash on him. You may have to go through the basics of commanding your dog to sit and stay. This will be his cue to stay still while you install his collar and leash. If he tries to get up while you are doing this, get him to sit back down right away. Do not, under any circumstances, try to walk your dog if he is still excitable. He should be calm and show no qualms of wearing a collar and leash.
Once the leash is attached to the collar, be sure to proceed calmly to the door with your pooch. If he tries to trounce ahead of you, quietly correct him by tugging the leash and command him to sit again. Your dog should be able to follow the stay command before trying to move on again. Reiterate this process again until the dog is calm and able to walk by your side on the leash. All of these actions are while you are still indoors!
Repeat the same processes once you open the door to go outside. Do not allow your dog to push out the door. If he starts to do this, go back inside the house and make him sit calmly until you feel he is ready to walk outside. You should always gain the upper hand of control BEFORE leaving the house with your dog on a leash.
Just think - the above scenario with your dog just gets you out the door of your home. You are not even really outside yet! There are a while host of other behaviors you will have to deal with once you do like chasing joggers, kids or animals like cats and squirrels! Just dig deep for that patience and employ the dog obedience training you have learned to get your through.
