How Do I Get My Dog to Stop Pulling on the Leash?
Loose leash walking is an invaluable skill for dogs and their owners, but it's one that requires time and patience to develop. Give yourself and your dog some grace as you work on this skill together and don’t compare you and your dog to anyone else: there are many reasons that a dog might be pulling. Sometimes it's as simple as their physical build (smaller dogs naturally walk slower than larger dogs with longer strides) or as complex as their emotional state—many dogs are too overstimulated by the sights, sounds, and smells of the outside world to think clearly on walks. Different dogs face different challenges when learning this skill.
When it comes to loose leash walking, don’t forget that there are two ends to the leash. Humans and dogs naturally walk differently and at different paces. While we're wondering, "How do I get my dog to stop pulling on the leash?" our canine companions might be thinking, "Why does my human walk so slowly and always in straight lines?"
So, be aware that it takes two to tangle. Yes, sometimes our dogs need to walk slower, but could you occasionally walk faster (after all, it is great exercise)? And yes, sometimes we need our dogs to move along without stopping to sniff, but I challenge you to take opportunities to stop, breathe in the fresh air, admire a tree or a bird song, or simply appreciate your dog in all their doggy wonderfulness when they do pause to investigate smells.
With that perspective in mind, here are 5 of my favorite methods for teaching your dog to walk nicely on leash:
1. The Radius Game
This game, which I learned from Simone Mueller's "Walking Together," involves tossing a treat behind you and allowing your dog to eat it while you walk forward. When your dog finishes and hurries to catch up to you, use a marker word (like "yes") as they reach your side and toss another treat behind you. Repeat this pattern.
This exercise effectively teaches dogs to slow down because moving ahead of you literally doesn't pay. Be careful when tossing treats—they might go farther than expected, and it's your responsibility to keep the leash loose while your dog retrieves them.
2. The 1-2-3 Pattern Game
This technique comes from Leslie McDevitt's "Control Unleashed" series. Count out loud to three, then deliver a treat by your side. Once dogs learn it, they stay loosely attentive to you throughout the count while still being able to explore their environment.
What makes this game powerful is its predictability: always continue counting regardless of what your dog is doing, and always deliver that food after "three"—like keeping a promise. You can adjust your counting speed based on how much support your dog needs. For instance, when walking through a highly distracting environment, like a dog barking from behind a fence, count more quickly to maintain your dog's engagement. In easier environments, slow your count down.
3. Capturing Behavior
This method is wonderfully simple: notice when your dog is naturally walking near you, mark it with a "yes," and deliver a treat. When you observe and reward good leash behavior, you increase the likelihood your dog will repeat it in the future.
4. Managing Distractions
Environmental distractions are inevitable, so learning to handle them is an important part of teaching leash manners. Something as simple as tossing treats on the ground with a "find it" cue can prevent your dog from practicing pulling or lunging behaviors.
When implemented effectively, this technique can help dogs associate distractions with calm behaviors like sniffing rather than reactive ones like pulling or lunging.
Important Note: If your dog is consistently having intense reactions to certain triggers, these situations often require specialized support beyond simple management techniques. As a positive reinforcement (R+) trainer, I can help you develop a customized plan that not only manages these challenging moments but actually transforms your dog's emotional response to triggers. Reach out for a consultation before frustration builds for both you and your dog!
5. Let Them Sniff!
When my dog stops to sniff, I let him continue until he's satisfied. Sniffing is tremendously beneficial for dogs' mental health—it's how they learn about and process their world. It's self-soothing and enriching, and importantly, this mental exercise will actually tire your dog out more effectively than the physical activity of walking alone.
Many dogs learn to pull on the leash to reach the next interesting scent quickly because they've learned they won't be allowed to sniff as long as they'd like. When we permit thorough sniffing, we remove a significant motivation for pulling.
Check out the video linked below to see me working with a wonderful 6-month-old Lab. She's full of energy and life, but because I remained engaged with her and was careful not to pull on the leash myself, she was a dream to walk with.
If you need help improving skills at either end of the leash, don't hesitate to reach out!