A problem behavior some shelter dogs exhibit is pulling.
Pulling or straining on a leash can make walking your dog or taking him somewhere a chore.
If your dog is large or strong you may not want to hook him to a leash at all.
Some dogs quickly learn to associate a leash or harness with going somewhere and immediately get excited when you get ready.
Once the harness is put on and the leash is attached the urge to get going becomes unbearable causing the dog to pull.
Most dogs easily pick up behavior from routines especially those that precede a specific event.
If your dog likes walks he may learn when you put on a pair of tennis shoes and grab a hat or coat he may be coming along.
Once this becomes a routine and his suspicions keep getting confirmed pulling may be a reinforced byproduct of his excitement.
Many trainers believe certain breeds are more active and are prone to behavior like pulling.
Obviously the size and strength of a shelter dog is just as important as what breed is most likely dominant.
However, even small dogs that pull excessively can wear out the patience of any owner.
It is not uncommon for untrained dogs to pull even worse when they encounter other dogs, cats, bicycles or whatever when walking on a leash.
When this happens the outcome of the situation is directly related to how effectively you gain control of your dog and the methods you use that work.
Many dog behavior problems are related to exercise and diet.
Too little exercise can make your dog anxious and very energetic so when he does get walked he pulls and tugs with excitement.
The consequences of a poor diet can result in extreme lethargy to hyperactivity leaving your dog high strung and likely to pull even more.