It's Training Tips Tuesday and time for some top tips from Alsager Nub News sponsor, 'All to Play for'.

Owning a dog isn't always easy but top dog trainer, Alsager's Julia Hawkins, from Linley Grove is a font of knowledge on the subject.

Julia, a former maths teacher, uses concept training which helps dog owners to see how they can reshape their dogs' brains using games.

She offers tips on her blog https://alltoplayfor.co.uk/blog/ as well as other help and contact details on her website at https://alltoplayfor.co.uk/ shares some special tips for your pooch.

Today she is talking about how to stop their dogs pulling on the lead.

"Here's the thing," says Julia. "Equipment isn't the solution, training is.

"Equipment such as slip leads, figure eight leads, prong collars etc are being seen and suggested more and more as people see them as a quick fix for their training struggle.

"These pieces of equipment work by suppressing a behaviour such as pulling rather than by addressing the reasons behind the behaviour.

"Slip leads are a great example. Dogs' necks are really sensitive areas - their physiology is really similar to our own. So using a slip lead can lead to soft tissue damage in the dog's neck, including tracheal and laryngeal damage, and may even cause the trachea to collapse or vertebrae to displace.

"It can even cause problems in the dog's eyes. It is often argued that they're fine to use to correct pulling on lead if used "correctly", however they still work by suppressing a behaviour, and by causing discomfort - meaning that there is still the potential for damage.

"On the other hand you may have heard that harnesses cause dogs to pull. Tell that to the next guide dog handler you see!"

Julia added: "To be honest, harnesses aren't perfect either - there are some which restrict movement or can cause abrasions to the dog's skin. The key is choosing the least worst options which is always a Y or X shaped harness.

"But what's the problem with suppressing a behaviour in a dog if it leads to lovely loose lead walking?"

Any behaviour which a dog exhibits is for a reason, and behind the reason is an emotion, says Julia. "So for lead pulling it could be fear, anxiety, over excitement, frustration etc.

"If we suppress the behaviour, the emotion is still there and we know that by suppressing behaviours we run a far higher risk of fear, avoidance and even aggression. We certainly end up with a much less happy dog.

So, the solution in the long term which leads to a happy owner, a happy dog and a long term solution is great training.

Julia with her two Romanian rescue dogs. (Photo: Deborah bowyer/Alsager Nub News)

Interested in finding more about 'All to Play For'? Julia also has a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/alltoplayfordogtraining and can be contacted on 07913 757304.

You can also read our launch article on Julia here