How do I get my dog to stop pulling on the leash when we go for walks?

Written By Devon Mayer

Some of the biggest complaints I get from my clients are that their dog pulls on the leash, runs circles around them or bites at their leash when they take them for walks.


In the simplest terms, we can easily teach our dogs to walk with a loose leash by not moving when your dog pulls forward and reward your dog with a high-value treat anytime he walks calmly on your side.


However, there’s a little more to it than that simple answer.


Today we’ll teach you the exact techniques I tell my clients who are having trouble with dogs pulling on the leash.



Tools and supplies you will need to get started:

The most important part of any training is the treats. I like to find something the dog likes, is small enough to be able to give quite a bit of and something that will not upset their stomach after a good training session.


Some suggestions would be small pieces of chicken or cheese and for some dogs, you might need to pull out the bacon.


QUICK RECOMMENDATION: If you’re looking for a good training treat you can order online you might try Zuke’s Naturals Peanut Butter Flavor .


They come in tiny bits and are great for training. If your dog gets a tummy ache we’ve found Charlee Bears to be easy on the stomach. We also like to categorize our treats based on value. A high value treat would be something that your dog would do anything for. A low value treat might be a piece of their kibble.


Here are some examples:


Another tool is your training collar. I like to use a martingale training collar so it is possible to give a correction without choking your dog or harming them in any way.


Lastly, any standard sturdy leash will do but nothing retractable.


QUICK RECOMMENDATION: My favorite leash for training are these Multifunctional Service Dog Leashes. We used these with all of our service dogs since we brought home our first guide puppy, Stetson way back in 2007.

The benefits of leash training:

I have found that one of the most important behaviors to train your dog right from the beginning is to walk nicely on a leash.


This is called a “Heel.” This is the foundation for many other behaviors and creates a connection between you and your dog that is difficult to find in any other way.


Dogs are naturally curious and excited to be on an adventure with you and walking on a leash doesn’t always come naturally.


It is important to remember that this will take time for both of you to learn and lots of repetition, patience, and as I said before, treats will be needed. 


The goal of learning how to “Heel” is to have your dog focused on you and your movements. We want them to learn where they are supposed to be in relation to you.


This mutes some of the distractions from the outside world and connects them to you in any situation.


Leash training can also help keep your dog from tripping you while you walk, which I have seen many times with my clients and their puppies. My client's puppy named Bucky tangled her up so badly she fell and badly tore her hamstring. 

When “Heeling” your dog on the leash, you reinforce your leadership role in the relationship and it gives you the ability to navigate and protect your dog.


This teaches them to look to you for guidance instead of trying to make decisions about how to behave in different situations on their own. Given the freedom to make the decision, they will most likely choose the wrong one.


Dogs crave being a part of a pack with a leader and for some dogs not having that security creates anxiety. In those cases you sometimes see aggression on the leash begin or social anxiety.


Leash Training Your Dog - Step-By-Step

To begin, plan for short training sessions in a small quiet space that will eventually become the great outdoors and then the possibility of moving to off-leash walks. 


It is helpful to begin training this behavior indoors where it is quiet and there are few distractions. 


I ask my clients to imagine a figure eight out in front of them. The figure eight is our end goal but this gives you an image of what we are working towards.

Step 1

Start your dog on your side… I prefer the left. Ask them to sit next to you. Give them a treat to get their attention. 

Advancing the “Heel” command:

The idea is to move your body through the figure eight and have the dog stay by your side.

The idea of the figure eight helps because it gives you the opportunity to move towards your dog in one direction and away from your dog in another direction.

Step 2

Once you have the dog's attention, give the “Heel” command and touch your leg on the left as you begin to walk.

Step 3

When the dog starts to move with you, give him a treat to reward this behavior. Continue this in short increments around your imaginary figure eight, rewarding your dog every few steps.                          


Troubleshooting:

  • Your dog might try to speed up and walk in front of you when you first begin to train this behavior. Use your body and figure eight and turn into the dog so they have to slow down and fall back into place by your side.

  • Your dog may also fall behind you or stop completely. In this case, stop moving forward with slight tension on the leash. Wait for the dog to move forward again and reward him for coming with you.

  • Another problem that might arise is your dog biting at the leash. Although your instinct might be to pull on the leash, it is better to move towards them so there is no tension and the game stops being fun.


PRO TIP: If this behavior becomes worse, you can also walk the dog on two leashes and drop the one the dog is tugging on so there is no longer a game of tug-of-war to play. I have in some cases also used a little Bitter Apple spray on the leash to make it less enticing.



Adding Distractions:

As your dog gets better at this behavior, take them to other places outside the home where there is more commotion.


If you have a friend with another dog you can work them in the same place which creates a distraction but ultimately will make your walk with your friend and their dog a lot more fun.


Continue to work on the behavior the same way you did at home and add more and more distractions as both of you become more confident.


This behavior creates a wonderful bond between you and your dog and opens the world up for many adventures together, stress-free.


Supplies We Recommended

This is a quick recap of the supplies we recommend when working on loose leash walking with your dog:

Final Thoughts

Now that we have covered the basics of leash training, get out in the world with your buddy and explore. Enjoy your time together and don’t forget to be in the moment with your dog, relax and take in the new experiences you will be having together.


Training Questions and Answers:

  • How do I get my dog to not pull when it sees another dog? 

    • Continue to work on the steps I have given you above, make sure your dog is well-exercised and prioritize positive socialization. 

  • Are there any other types of collars or tools to help my dog to stop pulling on the leash?

    • There is a list of the basic tools needed above, and I also have a variety of collars and equipment I recommend to my clients depending on their goals.

  • Will I always have to have treats to get my dog to behave?

    • No, if you're consistent with your training, the goal is you will no longer need to fill your pockets with peanut butter to get them to “Heel” or follow any other command you have taught them. Slowly reduce and spread out the rewards when you are working with your dog and start to only reward them for the more difficult task you are asking.

Devon Mayer
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