How to stop your dog from pulling on the leash
Leash pulling is one of the most common complaints from dog owners, and one of the most fixable — it's almost always a training gap rather than a dominance issue or a "stubborn" dog.
Why dogs pull in the first place
Dogs are simply faster than us and more interested in the smells and sights around them — pulling gets them there faster, and if it's ever worked (even once), it's been reinforced. The fix isn't strength, it's making loose-leash walking the only strategy that actually gets them where they want to go.
The stop-and-wait method
The simplest, most widely recommended approach: the moment the leash goes tight, stop walking completely. Wait for slack to return to the leash — even a small step back or a glance toward you counts — then continue. It's slow at first, sometimes painfully so, but it teaches the dog that pulling makes the walk stop rather than speed up.
Reward position, not just "no pulling"
Rather than only correcting pulling, actively reward your dog for walking in a loose-leash position — a treat dropped at your side every so often when they're in the right spot reinforces where you want them to be, not just what you don't want.
Set realistic expectations
A high-energy young dog on a brand-new walking route will pull more than a settled adult on a familiar one. Practice in low-distraction environments first, and expect the skill to generalize gradually rather than instantly to every new location.
For more on timing and short, effective training sessions, see puppy training basics.
Get "Puppy training basics"
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