Training Your White Swiss Shepherd Not to Pull on the Leash

Walking your dog should be a pleasurable experience for both you and your dog. However, if your dog pulls on the leash, it can quickly turn into a frustrating ordeal. Not only does leash pulling make walks less enjoyable, but it can also be dangerous for you, your dog, and other dogs and people. Fortunately, with patience, consistency, and the right techniques, you can train your dog to walk politely on a leash. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this.

Understanding Why Dogs Pull on the Leash

Before diving into the training methods, it’s essential to understand why dogs pull on the leash.   First and foremost, as with the vast majority of dog behavior issues, leash pulling is about lack of owner leadership.   If you do not provide your dog with a clear understanding that you are the leader and set expectations, your dog will assume he/she is the leader and do what it wants to do.  Dogs are naturally curious and eager to explore their environment. When they see or smell something interesting, their instinct is to move towards it, often resulting in pulling. Additionally, if pulling on the leash has been rewarded (by allowing them to reach their desired destination, with weak feedback, or by playing tug of war with a harness), this behavior becomes reinforced.  Fixing this issue is about establishing leadership and guidelines for your dog. 

Step-by-Step Training Guide

1. Start Early

As with most dog training, the sooner you start, the better.   Young puppies need to understand that you are the leader early in their lives and it is much easier to work with a puppy on proper leash behavior than it is to fix problems later (although the tips we give in this blog will also help correct problems with older dogs). 

2. Choose the Right Equipment

The first step in training your dog not to pull is to ensure you have the right equipment.  Based on the people we see getting dragged around on streets and in dog parks, this will be a controversial recommendation:   do not use a harness.   Harnesses were originally designed for a specific reason:  to make it comfortable for a dog to pull hard!   You don’t want that.  You want it to be uncomfortable for the dog to pull.  Instead, use a slip lead.   This type of lead puts pressure on the dog when pulling and immediately releases it when not pulling.   Leading trainers have used slip leads on millions of dogs throughout history and still do; at DWWR we have used these leads with hundreds of dogs.  Used properly, they do not present a risk to your dog.  It is a mistake to believe that a dog dragging an owner around via a harness is a “happier” dog than a dog who feels safe with a good leader and clear boundaries. 

3. Use the “Stop and Reverse” Method

When your dog pulls on the leash, stop walking immediately and reverse directions with a gentle tug on the leash. This makes your dog pay attention to you and reinforces that pulling won’t lead to progress.

4. Use the Verbal Clues

When the dog begins to pull on the leash and you stop and reverse, use your “negative sound”.   We use a quick “Tsssst!” whenever a dog is doing something we don’t want them to do.   Conversely, whenever the dog reacts appropriately and stops pulling, encourage him, with a happy “good boy” or “Yes!” and give him a treat.    Once your dog has been trained, you will not need to reverse directions, tug on the leash, or give treats.  Your quick verbal cues will remind them of what you want.   

5. Introduce Distractions Gradually

Once your dog can walk nicely on the leash in a controlled environment (home/backyard), gradually introduce more distractions. Start in a quiet park before progressing to busier areas.  Remain consistent in your leadership:  if the dog pulls toward another dog or person, “Tssst!” and reverse directions with a tug.   When the dog remains calm with slack in the leash “good boy!”

Tips for Success

• Patience is key: Training a dog not to pull on the leash can take time. Be patient, persistent, and consistent.  persistent.
• Short, frequent sessions: Keep training sessions (max. 15 min) short but frequent to maintain your dog’s attention and enthusiasm.
• Stay calm and positive: Dogs can sense frustration, so stay calm and use positive reinforcement and treats to encourage good behavior.

How to Stop Your Berger Blanc Suisse Puppy From Jumping on You

Teaching your puppy not to jump on people promotes safety, good manners, and positive interactions with others while helping your puppy develop into a well-behaved and socially accepted member of the community. Here are a few things you can do to train your White Swiss Shepherd puppy not to jump on you: 

#1 –  You must commit to being the alpha for your pack.

Most of our blogs about puppy behavior begin with a few themes. First, you need to decide how you want your dog to behave. Second, you need to be the “alpha” of the pack to teach that behavior. Third, you need to remember that your dog will be happiest when he has consistent rules to follow. You are not the “bad guy” for being a good leader. You are the “good guy” for providing a dog with what they crave; structure and belonging in a pack.   

#2 –  Understand why your dog is jumping and what is not working.

Young puppies are excitable and looking for engagement. They jump up to generate engagement with you and, when you gently nudge them away, talk to them, grab their paws and set them down, or even tell them “down” then pet them when they finally get down, they get validation! In other words, they jumped on you, and you gave them what they wanted, positive engagement! So, you have reinforced that jumping is a good thing and the longer this goes on, the more it will become a bad habit. 

#3 –  Immediately and consistently correct jumping!

Watch how your dog is approaching and be ready for the “jump”. They should get immediate negative consequences such as a poke in the ribs, a raised knee that they jump into, or a sharp tug on the leash. Make the correction and don’t engage or encourage them even if after the correction, they get down (that can send a mixed message). Correct the behavior immediately and turn your attention to other things. Later, when the dog approaches you without jumping then give them positive warm words, pet them, encourage them, and engage with them.  The message needs to be clear: when I jump it is unpleasant and I don’t get attention, but, when I approach without jumping, I get a lot of love!  

Looking for a Berger Blanc Suisse Puppy to Join Your Family?

Dances With Wolves Ranch is a family-owned breeding and training program that sees our puppy owners as an extension of our own family. Our dogs are also a part of the family, and all of our puppies are surrounded by kids, friends, and family and are very well socialized before they go to their new home. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

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When to Start Training Your New Berger Blanc Suisse Puppy

Investing time and effort in training your puppy will lead to a happier, healthier, and more harmonious relationship. Here are four important steps you should take to train your puppy.

1. Start when the puppy enters your house for the first time!  

When people bring a new puppy home, they invite it into the house with free reign. The puppy can wander the hallways, chew on things in the home, go potty in a different room when you are not watching, etc. Owners then get frustrated with their puppy and begin setting new rules. This approach confuses the puppy, and it’s important to remember that retraining a puppy is much more complicated.  

2. Have a plan and work the plan! 

Before you walk into your home for the first time with your new puppy, have a plan. 

• How should the puppy enter the home? 
• Do you open the door and let it charge in? 
• Or do you want to set an expectation that the puppy waits at the door for you to enter? When not supervised, the puppy should be in a crate (see our blog on crate training). 
• Will you allow the puppy to jump up on you or to chew on your hands and clothes? 
• Will the puppy be allowed to join you on furniture? 
• When and where will they eat, etc.  

3. Use a leash.

New puppies should always have a leash they can drag when you are not holding it (and not in their crate). This will allow you to react and guide the puppy to the rules quickly. We recommend cutting any handle off so it does not get caught on things. 

4. Be consistent.

Berger Blanc Suisse puppies are brilliant, but as puppies, they will also have short memories, and like kids, they will “test” the boundaries. Remember, all dogs are most comfortable when they know where they fit in the pack, so it is your job to constantly be the leader and give consistent guidance to establish rules. If you are consistent and stick with it, your puppy will quickly learn the routines, and you and your dog will have a happy, calm relationship! 

Learn More About Our Berger Blanc Suisse Puppies

Are you interested in raising your own Berger Blanc Suisse puppy? We can help. Our family-owned breeding and training program produces some of the world’s most beautiful, healthy, and well-balanced BBS dogs.

Check Out Our Available Berger Blanc Suisse Dogs and Puppies!

Why You Should Crate Train Your Berger Blanc Suisse (White Swiss Shepherd)

At Dances with Wolves Ranch, we strongly recommend crate-training puppies early. It is good for your dog and your family for many reasons, but here are our top five.

1. Mimics Their Natural Environment 

First, dogs are naturally den animals.  Some people express concern about “caging” their dog, but dogs, it turns out, feel more comfortable and safer when in a small, enclosed space.   

2. Creates a Safe Environment 

Second, as with human babies, we cannot keep our eye on a young puppy 100% of the time.  When not interacting with babies, we put them in a stroller, a bassinet, or a crib to protect them.  We don’t allow our young children to crawl around to play with electric wires or fall stairs.   In the same way, puppies should go someplace safe when we are not actively interacting with them.   They will feel more comfortable, happy, and safe.  

3. Allows You to Control Your Environment

Third, crate training will give you better control of your dog for when guests visit, in an emergency, when it is time for a trip, or when you are away from home.   If you have trained your puppy to go into a crate happily, they will feel comfortable going there when needed.  

4. Improves Your Ability to Travel With Your Dog

Fourth, if you crate train your puppy, he will be used to the crate and will have a much easier, less anxious time when visiting vets or groomers later. 

5. Aids in Potty Training 

Finally, crate training is important for potty training your young puppy.    A young puppy left to wander in a home will find it very confusing where and when he is allowed to go potty and will tend to have accidents and develop bad habits.   Conversely, a puppy naturally won’t want to soil his den, and as long as you are diligent about taking your puppy out frequently, they will learn that there is a correct place to go potty (outside). 

Interested in Raising a Berger Blanc Suisse Puppy?

To summarize, all young puppies should be crate-trained.  They will be happier and feel safer, and this good habit will be very helpful to you and your dog as he grows up. 

Check Out Our Available Berger Blanc Suisse Dogs and Puppies!