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How to train my dog to behave in public, stop pulling, and focus?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Female | unspayed | 4 years and 3 months old | 4 lbs

Do you have any advice and tips on how to train my dog to behave a little better in public and some commands that be crucial for that? She's doing so far great and is making progress surely but slowly, she knows when to sit down and stay. Sometimes she tends to pull which is frustrating and I'm slowly getting there from teaching her not to do. I also want to teach her to ignore distractions such as people and other things. Thank you.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on August 31st, 2017

Use plenty of positive reinforcement. Reward only good behaviors, correct negative behavior immediately. A head harness such as the Gentle Leader or Halti can be used to prevent pulling and to quickly correct negative behavior. To ignore distracts, she will have to be acclimated and desensitized to each one gradually. Expose her to one distraction for ever increasing periods of time until it no longer bothers her. Use praise and rewards as she progresses. Be firm and be consistent, above all, be patient.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Mirissa Duncil, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hi there! Gentle leaders and haltis are available to help with the pulling issues. You can find these on Amazon. Sit and stay are great commands as well as heel. Do you have a kennel near you that offered puppy training classes? These are often helpful and they don't actually have to be a puppy-it's general introduction to obedience in most cases. Often learning in a busy environment like this teaches them to focus on you as well. Clicker training is a great way to encourage good behavior as well and is a positive reward system. I hope this helps! If you would like a private consult and have more questions please feel free to let me know!

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