SkellyWags Dog Training Kent

If you’ve ever typed “How do I stop my dog from…” into Google, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, I’m fairly sure the words “stop my dog” have been followed by everything from pulling on the lead to stealing socks, barking at the window and disappearing after a squirrel.

Many of the most common dog training searches are about everyday behaviours that can make life together feel harder than expected. Pulling on the lead, poor recall and jumping up are among the difficulties most frequently reported by dog guardians in UK research. They are also subjects I’m regularly asked about during classes and 1-2-1 training.

The good news is that your dog isn’t broken, stubborn or trying to take over the household. They may simply need clearer communication, more practice or some help coping with the situation they’re in.

Here are some of the questions dog guardians commonly search for, along with a few positive and practical ideas to get you started.

How do I stop my dog pulling on the lead?

Lead pulling is one of the most common dog training struggles. Dogs usually pull because it works: they want to reach an interesting smell, another dog, a person or simply the next bit of the walk. We humans tend to walk in straight lines at a fairly dull pace, while dogs would prefer to investigate every blade of grass as if it may contain vital evidence.

Rather than concentrating entirely on stopping the pulling, begin teaching your dog what you would like them to do instead. Reward them whenever the lead is loose, whenever they make eye contact, practise in quieter places and allow plenty of opportunities to sniff.

Try starting with short sessions somewhere familiar. Take a few steps, reward your dog while they are beside you and then release them to have a sniff. This helps them learn that walking with you doesn’t mean all the interesting parts of the walk disappear.

If your dog is already excited, worried or overwhelmed, learning will be much harder. Sometimes choosing a calmer location is more useful than trying to train through a busy environment.

How do I improve my dog’s recall?

A reliable recall isn’t created by repeatedly shouting your dog’s name while they sprint towards the horizon. It begins by teaching them that coming back to you is always worth their while.

Start somewhere with very few distractions. Say your chosen recall word once, move away from your dog and reward them generously when they reach you. Food, play, praise or the opportunity to return to exploring can all be useful rewards.

Avoid only calling your dog when the fun is about to end. If every recall means the lead goes on and everyone goes home, your dog may begin to think twice about returning. Call them, reward them and occasionally release them to continue their sniffing.

A long training line can give your dog more freedom while keeping everyone safe as you practise. Remember that recall needs to be built gradually. Coming back from the kitchen is very different from coming back when a squirrel has just launched its own high-speed escape scene.

How do I stop my dog jumping up?

Dogs may jump up because they are excited, seeking attention/reassurance or trying to get closer to someone’s face. If jumping has previously earned them attention, even being pushed away or spoken to, it may have become a successful strategy.

Teach an alternative behaviour such as keeping four paws on the floor, standing calmly or going to a mat. Reward your dog before they jump rather than waiting for things to go wrong.

It can also help to make greetings calmer. Ask visitors to give your dog a little space when they arrive and use a lead, gate or barrier if needed. Once your dog has settled, they can choose whether they would like to approach.

Training is easier when your dog isn’t already bouncing around like a furry space hopper.

Why does my dog bark at everything?

Barking is communication. A dog may bark because they are excited, frightened, frustrated, bored or trying to alert you to something. Before attempting to change the barking, consider what may be causing it.

If your dog barks at people passing the window, you could reduce their access to that view while working on the behaviour. If they bark when someone comes to the door, teach them to move to a mat or another room where they can feel safer.

Try to notice the behaviour just before the barking begins. Rewarding your dog for calmly noticing a trigger can be more effective than trying to regain their attention once they are already overwhelmed.

Persistent or sudden changes in barking should also be discussed with your vet, particularly if there could be pain, discomfort or a medical cause involved.

How do I stop my puppy biting?

Puppy biting is normal, although that information may not feel particularly comforting when a small set of needle like teeth is attached to your trouser leg.

Puppies explore with their mouths and may bite more when they are excited, frustrated, overtired or teething. Make sure your puppy has suitable things to chew and redirect them towards a toy before they become too worked up.

Short periods of play followed by rest can make an enormous difference. Puppies need plenty of sleep, and an overtired puppy often resembles a tiny land sharks who has misplaced their off switch.

Avoid shouting, holding their mouth closed or using physical corrections. Calmly pause the interaction, give them something appropriate to bite and consider whether they need sleep, enrichment, food or a toilet break.

Why does my dog ignore me outside?

Your dog probably isn’t deliberately ignoring you. The outside world may simply be more interesting, exciting or worrying than the cue you’re giving them.

Dogs don’t automatically understand that something learned in the living room also applies in a field, at the park or beside another dog. Skills need to be practised in different places, with distractions increased gradually.

If your dog can’t respond, make the situation easier. Increase the distance from the distraction, use a better reward or return to a simpler version of the exercise. Training should help your dog succeed, not repeatedly test them until they get it wrong.

How can I help my dog settle and relax?

Settling is a skill, and some dogs find it much harder than others. Begin somewhere quiet with a comfortable mat or bed. Reward small signs of relaxation such as standing calmly, sitting, lying down or resting their head.

Keep the early sessions short and avoid repeatedly asking your dog to settle. Give them time to work it out and reward the moments you would like to see again.

It’s also worth looking at your dog’s overall routine. Are they getting enough sleep? Do they have opportunities to sniff, chew and explore? Are they always busy, or do they have time to properly switch off?

More exercise isn’t always the answer. Sometimes a dog doesn’t need another long walk; they need a calmer day and a decent snooze.

When should I contact a dog trainer?

You don’t have to wait until a behaviour becomes a major problem before asking for help. A good trainer can help with everyday Life Skills such as recall, lead walking, jumping up, puppy biting and building confidence.

If your dog’s behaviour changes suddenly, your first call should be to your vet so that pain or illness can be ruled out. Behaviours involving significant fear, anxiety or aggression may also require support from a suitably qualified behaviourist working alongside your vet and trainer.

Look for a trainer who uses positive reinforcement and is happy to explain what they are doing and why. Training should never rely on fear, pain or intimidation.

Start with the dog in front of you

A quick online search can offer useful ideas, but it can’t see your dog, the environment or what happened just before the behaviour. Two dogs may appear to have exactly the same behaviour while needing very different support. One dog may be jumping up due to excitement and one looking for reassurance, both look the same but they are not.

Start small, reward the behaviour you would like to see again and make the task achievable. Progress rarely happens in a perfectly straight line, particularly when squirrels, delivery drivers and unexpectedly exciting carrier bags become involved.

If you’re looking for positive, practical dog training in Kent, SkellyWAGS offers friendly 1-2-1 training, puppy classes and Life Skills sessions designed around the dog in front of you. Get in touch and let’s find the right starting point for you and your dog.