⭐️ Loose Lead Walking - The Hows and Whys.

Why Dogs Pull

When your dog drags you down the road, it isn’t fun. You'll avoid walks, limit outings, or rely on the garden as your dog's only exercise and stimulation.

Dogs often pull because they're understimulated or lack experience and training. Dogs may also pull because they naturally walk faster than us, feel overwhelmed by the environment or because pulling works.

A loose-lead walk is a partnership. Your dog trusts you'll meet their needs, and you get a great walk together.

Attention and Choice

Before working on lead skills, your dog needs to understand that paying attention to you is rewarding and that their choices affect that, and it's about you making the right choices obvious and rewarding. This blog can help. Always let your dog have a short sniff and pee before you start training.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Start Without the Lead

In your living room or backyard, encourage your dog to follow you around. Call them quietly. Reward them with a treat when they are beside you, right where you'd like them to walk. Practice for 5 minutes each day, and your dog will begin to naturally gravitate to your side because you've built value in the position without lead pressure.

Step 2: Add the Lead Indoors

Put the lead on, but don't hold it—let it drag behind your dog as they follow you around inside. This gets them used to the lead without any tension. Continue rewarding when they're in position beside you.

Step 3: Make the Door Boring.

Dogs often become excited before a walk; this can build stress that turns into pulling on your walk. To combat 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 it, close it quietly, don't say 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 are ready to head out.

Step 4: The Stop Technique.

Move it outdoors, in a distraction-free area, and hold the lead loosely. The moment it tightens, stop walking. Don't pull or talk, just ease the lead slightly and wait. When they look at you and there's slack in the lead, move forward. They'll begin to understand they are pulling, not you.

Step 5: The Direction Change Method

If your dog starts pulling toward something, say 'this way', change direction and walk in a different direction, it 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 are not pulling on their neck. Your dog learns that pulling gets them further from what they want, while staying with you keeps the walk going. By changing direction often, your dog will also begin to understand 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 continuing forward movement. This makes staying by your side more rewarding than pulling ahead.

Structured Freedom

Designated Sniff Breaks: Give your dog specific times during the walk when you say "go sniff", and let them explore while still on the lead. Pulling is often about wanting to explore and investigate. You can also use this as a reward for not pulling by stopping and waiting for them to look at you, then moving in the direction they were pulling, letting them sniff whatever was 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 other times.

Off lead time (if safe): Let your dog relax to run freely, sniff and meet friends. Large parks or bush tracks away from traffic are ideal. If you haven't mastered a reliable recall, use a 10 m 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 and are 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 a permanent management tool and can cause discomfort to your dog's muzzle (every walk is uncomfortable).

Standard Collar: Fine for dogs who don't pull hard, but avoid with pullers as it can put undue pressure on their neck.

Avoid: Retractable leashes during training—they teach dogs that pulling extends their freedom. (These do have a place when training recall).

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 definitely worth it.

Moving Too Fast: Build skills in quiet areas first, as high-distraction areas can set both of you 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 in the environments where you walk. Dogs don't automatically transfer skills to new locations.

A Successful Loose lead Walk.

Walk daily (twice if you have time): a regular routine for your dog builds calm behaviour.

Before You Leave: Have your dog sit quietly while you put on the lead and at the door or gate, as 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, make walks fun for you both.

Coming Home: End your walk with a calm sit before removing the lead, then a treat scatter. This makes the end of the walk something to 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 building the habit you want. Focus on progress, try to ignore the uncomfortable walks; they'll happen as you both learn and celebrate the small victories.

Watch this video for some simple tips to begin.