Why does my dog get so excited and lunge the moment we go out, and I can't hold them back?

Dog lunging is usually caused by pent-up energy from the day combined with over-excitement from the outdoor environment (smells, sounds, other animals). Furthermore, the human instinct to "pull back on the leash" triggers an opposition reflex in the dog, causing it to push forward even harder. The correct approach is to use the "stop method" and manage pre-walk emotions, teaching them that forward movement only happens when the leash is loose and they are calm.

If I use treats to guide my dog's heeling, will they only obey when there are treats and lose control otherwise?

This is a common misconception. Treats are merely the "key" to building behavioral habits in the early stages of training. Once the dog understands the meaning of heeling and relaxation, we can transition rewards from "every time" to "randomly." We can then use verbal praise, petting, or permission to "go sniff that tree stump" as the ultimate reward (environmental reward). Naturally, the dog will form good habits that do not rely on food.

Is Your Dog Pulling Like a Sled Team on Walks? It's Not Just Excitement

Many pet owners assume their dog's lunging is due to excess energy or disobedience. This article reveals the underlying behavioral logic behind pulling and common communication blind spots, offering effective loose-leash training techniques to help you enjoy harmonious outdoor walks without the 'futile shouting'.

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Every evening when I take my furry friend out for a walk, I feel less like I'm walking a dog and more like I'm competing in a tug-of-war match I have no chance of winning.

The moment we step out of the apartment lobby, it's as if an accelerator has been pressed; all four paws lift off the ground as it surges forward. Before the São Paulo evening breeze can even clear our heads, my wrist is already throbbing from the leash digging in. Passersby give me complicated looks as I jog awkwardly, frantically yelling, "Calm down! Stop pulling! Slow down!"

The result? Instead of slowing down, the dog gets even more excited by the tension, tongue lolling out, panting heavily as it continues to drag me forward.

I believe many dog owners are all too familiar with this scene. We often think our dogs run wild and lunge because they've been cooped up too long or simply because they are "naughty and disobedient." However, a recent conversation with a senior dog trainer left me blushing instantly with his piercing insight:

"Your dog isn't being bad by lunging on walks; you are inadvertently pushing its nerves to the breaking point every single day."

Hearing this left me stunned. Could it be that our everyday way of walking the dog is completely wrong?

The Trainer's Confession: What You Think Is "Discipline" Is Actually a Futile Tug-of-War

Think back: what is our instinctive reaction when a dog pulls forward? — We grip the leash tightly, lean our bodies backward, and endlessly shout "Stay," "Slow down," or "Come here."

But in the dog's world, this physical confrontation sends completely distorted signals.

Opposition Reflex: The moment you pull back on the leash, the pressure on your dog's neck triggers an instinctive physical counter-reaction. To seek balance while moving forward, its muscles instinctively push against the resistance. The harder you pull back, the harder it pushes forward.
"Futile Shouting" Becomes Background Noise: Your angry shouts and repeated commands are interpreted by your dog as: "Wow, my owner is just as excited and worked up as I am!" Your emotions don't stop the behavior; instead, they act as a catalyst, fueling the fire.
Sensory Overload: The roar of motorcycles on São Paulo streets, the scent of barbecue from roadside stalls, the barking of a neighbor's dog... these complex sensory stimuli flood your dog's brain like a tidal wave. Its dopamine spikes to the peak, rationality disconnects, and there is no way it can hear your commands.

The Solution: How to Make Your Dog Stick Willingly to Your Side

Knowing the cause makes the change easier than imagined. To turn walks from a chore back into a joy, we need to ditch the old habit of "yanking and dragging" and master three mindset shifts:

Tip 1: Treat the Leash as a "Silent Telephone Line"

Never keep the leash taut. The moment the leash is tight, tension is established between you and your dog.

Action: Keep the leash in a natural, slight "J" shape. As soon as your dog lunges and the leash tightens, stop immediately and stand still like a statue. Do not speak, do not pull. Wait until the dog疑惑ly turns to look at you, or even sighs and steps back, relaxing the leash. Only then do you start walking again. After a few times, they will understand: "When the leash gets tight, the walk pauses."

Tip 2: The Golden Three-Step Micro-Habit Training

Don't expect perfect heeling for a kilometer right out of the gate. When starting training, shorten the goal to just "three steps."

Action: In the apartment hallway or a quiet patch of green space, have your dog walk on your left or right side. Every time it quietly walks three steps beside you without surging ahead, immediately pull a small piece of fragrant jerky from your pocket to reward it, praising gently. Help it equate "staying by the owner's side" with "good things happening anytime."

Tip 3: "Emotional Cooldown" Before Leaving the House

Many dogs lunge because their excitement peaks the moment you grab shoes and the leash at the door.

Action: Before heading out, if your dog is jumping and bouncing, ignore it completely. Even put the leash back and sit on the sofa until it calms down. Even if it just lies down impatiently and sighs, only then pick up the leash again. If it gets excited, the door absolutely does not open. After a few tries, it will learn: Only with stable emotions will the door open.

Epilogue: Rediscovering the Gentleness and Rapport of Walking

To be honest, in the days of raising a dog, the most healing moments aren't about how smart they are, but the tranquility of sunset, where human and dog step on shadows together on a tree-lined path, moving in sync.

Walking should be the most relaxing, warm time of the day for you and your furry friend. Don't let endless tug-of-war erode the trust between you.

If you are also feeling overwhelmed by your dog's bad habits (lunging, excessive barking, jumping on people, potty training) and don't know where to start, consider visiting the ChatoPet Pet Training Service Module. Here, you won't find boring, lengthy theories, only practical training guides that step-by-step help you build lifelong rapport with your furry friend and easily understand each other.

Less angry shouting, more scientific communication, and you'll discover that your dog wants to listen to you even more than you imagined.