Stop Your Dog Pulling: A Guide to Loose Lead Walking
Updated: Sep 7
When your dog drags you down the road, it isn’t fun. You might avoid walks, limit outings, or rely on the garden as your dog's only exercise and stimulation. Dogs often pull because they're under-stimulated, lack experience and training, feel overwhelmed by their environment, or simply because pulling works for them. But don’t worry! You can stop your dog from pulling on walks by becoming a partner in their learning journey.
Understanding Attention and Choice
Before working on lead skills, your dog needs to understand that paying attention to you is rewarding. They also need to learn that their choices affect their experience. It’s about making the right choices obvious and rewarding for your dog. Always let your dog have a sniff and pee before you start training. This helps them feel more relaxed and ready to focus on you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Loose Lead Walking
Step 1: Start Without the Lead
Begin in your living room or backyard. Encourage your dog to follow you around. Call them quietly and reward them with a treat when they are beside you—right where you'd like them to walk. Practice for just 5 minutes each day. Your dog will begin to gravitate to your side because you've built value in that position without lead pressure.
Step 2: Add the Lead Indoors
Now, put the lead on, but don’t hold it. Let it drag behind your dog as they follow you around inside. This helps them get used to the lead without any tension. Continue rewarding them when they're in position beside you.
Step 3: Make the Door Boring
Dogs often get excited before a walk when the lead appears or when you go to the door. This can build stress or excitement, leading to pulling. To reduce this, get your dog calm before heading out. Ask them to sit or do some engagement exercises like hand targets or treat tosses away from the door. When your dog is engaged with you, open the door. If they rush, close it quietly without saying anything. Move back inside and toss a treat away from the door. Repeat this until you can open the door without your dog rushing it. Now you’re ready to head out!
Step 4: The Stop Technique
Take your training outdoors in a distraction-free area. Hold the lead loosely. The moment it tightens, stop walking. Don’t pull or talk—just ease the lead slightly and wait. When your dog looks at you, mark it with a 'Yes' and move forward. They'll begin to understand that pulling doesn’t get them anywhere.
Step 5: The Direction Change Method
If your dog starts pulling toward something, say "this way." Wait a moment, then move in a different direction. This could be around a parked car or onto the grass verge. Make sure your dog has time to adjust to your direction shift so you’re not pulling on their neck or harness. Your dog learns that pulling stops the walk, while staying with you keeps it going. By changing direction often, your dog will also begin to understand that you are leading the walk, not them. Reward them as they follow you.
Step 6: Reward the Slack
Whenever you feel the lead loosen, reward your dog with a treat, praise, or simply continue moving. This makes staying by your side more rewarding than pulling ahead.
Structured Freedom for Your Dog
Lots of Sniff Breaks
Give your dog breaks during the walk when you say "go sniff." Encourage them to explore while still on the lead. Pulling often comes from wanting to investigate. You can also use sniffing as a reward for not pulling by stopping and waiting for them to look at you. Then, move in the direction they were pulling, allowing them to sniff whatever is interesting.
Let Them Choose Sometimes
Occasionally, let your dog lead you to where they want to go. This partnership approach makes them more willing to follow your lead at other times.
Off-Leash Time (If Safe)
Let your dog relax, sniff, run freely, and meet friends. Large parks or bush tracks away from traffic are ideal. If you haven't mastered a reliable recall, use a long line. This provides freedom and control when you need it.
Equipment Considerations
Harness
A well-fitted harness is an excellent tool for walking. It spreads the pressure evenly across your dog's body, making walking comfortable.
Front-Clip Harness
These redirect the pulling force to the side, which dogs find uncomfortable, making them less likely to pull.
Head Collar
They control the head direction but require proper introduction to prevent stress. I don't recommend these for training because they don’t teach the dog how to walk on a loose lead; they're more of a management tool and can cause discomfort to your dog's muzzle.
Standard Collar
This is fine for dogs who don’t pull hard, but avoid it with pullers, as it can put undue pressure on their neck. A wider collar that spreads pressure is more comfortable than a narrow collar.
Avoid Retractable Leads
Retractable leads during training teach dogs that pulling extends their freedom. These do have a place when training recall, but not for loose lead walking.
Common Training Mistakes
Your Dog is Excited Before Your Walk
Keep everything calm. If your dog is over-excited before you start, they won’t be able to learn.
Being Inconsistent
Allowing pulling sometimes confuses your dog. Be consistent. It can be slow and arduous, but it’s definitely worth it.
Moving Too Fast
Build skills in quiet areas first. High-distraction areas can be overwhelming and set your dog up for failure.
Getting Emotional
Frustration and anger make training harder. Stay patient and remember this skill takes time.
Forgetting to Reward
Many people only address pulling but forget to reward good walking. Make loose lead walking actively rewarding.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
My dog is strong and drags me everywhere. Start training indoors and in your garden before attempting street walks. Consider using the front-clip on your harness for immediate relief while building skills.
They're perfect until we see another dog/person. Practice "focus on me" regularly. You need to be able to get their attention back before you can manage their movement. Read this blog for 'How to'.
My dog bites at the lead. When your dog does this, let the lead go 'dead.' No pulling or pressure. They'll soon let it go, and keep training sessions short.
It works in training but not on real walks. Practice on your walks! Dogs don’t automatically transfer skills to new locations, but they are learning all the time.
A Successful Loose Lead Walk
Walk Daily (Twice If You Have Time)
A regular routine builds calm behaviour in your dog.
Before You Leave
Have your dog sit quietly while you put on the lead and at the door or gate. Excitement can bring on pulling. No walk until they're calm.
First Five Minutes
Keep the pace slow and reward frequently for good position. This sets the tone for the entire walk.
Throughout the Walk
Mix in training, walking, and sniff breaks. Reward often to make walks fun for both of you.
Coming Home
End your walk with a calm sit before removing the lead, then a treat scatter or lick mat. This makes the end of the walk something your dog will look forward to.
The Takeaway
Loose lead walking is achievable with consistency, patience, and the right techniques. Remember: every step your dog takes beside you with a loose lead is a success and builds the habit you want. Focus on progress, and try to ignore the uncomfortable walks.
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