Walking your dog should be a joyous shared experience, not a tug-of-war. For many dog owners, leash pulling is a frustrating daily battle. This common issue not only makes walks unpleasant but can also pose safety risks. Fortunately, with consistent training and a few adjustments to your own behavior, you can teach your dog to walk politely by your side. This guide will delve into effective techniques to transform your walks from a struggle into a harmonious stroll.
Learning to walk without pulling is a fundamental skill for any dog. It ensures their safety by keeping them close to you, preventing them from running into traffic or getting into altercations with other animals. A well-trained dog on a leash allows you to better control their interactions and explore the world together safely. The AKC GoodDog! Helpline has addressed this concern many times, highlighting that nobody wants to be dragged, and with larger dogs, it can even lead to injuries. The good news is that there are straightforward methods to address leash pulling, and by applying these 10 tips, you’ll soon find yourself walking together, rather than being walked.
1. Reinforce Positive Leash Manners
Never underestimate the power of positive reinforcement. When your dog walks nicely on the leash, it’s crucial to acknowledge and reward this behavior. Rewards can be in the form of treats, verbal praise, or even a chance to explore their surroundings. If you solely focus on correcting your dog’s missteps and overlook their good behavior, they may resort to less desirable methods to seek your attention or achieve their goals.
Whenever your dog is exhibiting polite leash manners, ensure you provide a reward. Carry high-value treats during your walks, or be ready with affectionate pets and encouraging words. Don’t be hesitant to reward generously. Let your dog know you appreciate their chosen behavior. Initially, offer frequent and substantial rewards. As your dog’s skills improve, you can gradually decrease the reliance on treats, substituting them with opportunities to sniff an interesting spot or greet another dog appropriately.
Two Basenjis meeting in a field, one on a leash.
2. Halt When Your Dog Pulls
Your dog’s desire to move forward is often the primary motivation behind their pulling. By allowing them to continue walking while they are pulling, you are inadvertently rewarding the very behavior you wish to eliminate. Since dogs are inclined to repeat actions that yield positive outcomes, persistent pulling can worsen over time. Therefore, it’s essential to stop all forward motion the moment your dog starts to pull. Plant your feet firmly and wait patiently until your dog either returns to your side or the tension on the leash slackens.
3. Resume Walking Only on a Loose Leash
If you’ve stopped walking due to pulling, the natural question is, “When can we start moving again?” The cue to resume your walk is a loose leash – it should hang in a relaxed J-shape – and for your dog to redirect their attention back to you. This may require some patience in the initial stages, but eventually, your dog will look back to ascertain why you’ve stopped. At this precise moment, offer praise and a treat at your side, and then continue your walk. You might find yourself stopping and starting frequently at first, perhaps even every few steps, but your dog will soon learn that pulling halts the walk, while polite walking keeps it moving forward.
4. Integrate “Life Rewards” into Your Walks
Walks should be more than just a bathroom break for your dog; they should be an enriching experience offering physical exercise and mental stimulation. However, when you’re actively training your dog not to pull, it can feel like these enriching aspects are temporarily sidelined. To enhance your training efforts while simultaneously making walks more enjoyable, consider incorporating “life rewards” for following the rules. Life rewards are everyday activities your dog enjoys, such as the opportunity to sniff an intriguing bush or greet a friendly stranger. For instance, if your dog walks a set distance without pulling, grant them a few minutes to indulge in sniffing. Such bonus rewards will powerfully reinforce the idea that polite walking is highly beneficial for them.
5. Find a Suitable Walking Pace
Often, human walking speeds are considerably slower than what dogs prefer. Even smaller breeds can move their legs at a surprisingly brisk pace, contributing to their desire to pull because they want to increase their speed. To foster greater engagement during walks, try to find a pace that is comfortable for both you and your dog. While it’s certainly possible to teach your dog to match your speed, adopting a slightly quicker pace during the training phase can make it easier for them to learn to refrain from leash pulling.
A Beagle pulling on its leash to sniff while on a walk outdoors.
6. Maintain Strict Consistency with the No-Pulling Rule
It’s understandable to feel tempted to allow your dog to pull when you’re pressed for time. Perhaps you’re running late for work, or the weather is extremely cold, and you simply want to let them relieve themselves quickly. However, it is imperative to remain consistent with your no-pulling rule, irrespective of the circumstances. Any instance where you permit your dog to pull on the leash will effectively reset your training progress to the beginning. Until your dog can walk more than a few feet without pulling, allow them to do their business in the yard or at the curb, and reserve the longer walks for dedicated training sessions.
7. Keep Training Sessions Brief and Enjoyable
Working with a dog that is determined to pull can be a source of frustration. In the initial phases, you might find yourself unable to progress beyond your driveway. Instead of pushing your dog to the point where both of you become exasperated by the lack of progress, opt for short, upbeat training sessions. Puppies, in particular, have limited attention spans, and expecting too much too soon will likely yield negative results. Remember, the ultimate goal is not to cover a specific distance, but to achieve a loose-leash walk, even if it’s just to the next house.
8. Be an Engaging Walking Companion
For dogs, the outside world is a treasure trove of new sights, sounds, and, most notably, smells. This abundance of stimuli presents numerous opportunities for your dog’s attention to be diverted, enticing them to drag you along the sidewalk. If you are preoccupied with your phone or otherwise disengaged from your dog, they have little incentive to focus on you. However, if you are an interesting and engaging presence, your dog will be more inclined to follow your lead. Engage in conversation with your dog, incorporate brief training interludes, pause for a quick game, and so on, ensuring your dog is always anticipating your next move.
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on a lead outdoors.
9. Maintain a Calm Demeanor
Whether it’s spotting a favorite neighbor down the street or encountering an approaching barking dog, walks can present various emotionally charged situations. Regardless of whether these encounters are exciting or frightening for your dog (and for you), it is essential to manage your own emotions. Dogs are adept at interpreting human emotions, and your mood can be transmitted down the leash, potentially escalating their excitement or intensifying their anxiety. To help your dog remain calm, maintain your own composure and convey to your dog that there is no cause for alarm. A more relaxed dog is more likely to be receptive to your guidance and exhibit appropriate behavior.
10. Engage Your Dog During Distracting Situations
When your dog encounters distractions such as other dogs or squirrels, it’s easy for them to forget their training and revert to leash pulling. The same applies to elements that your dog perceives as suspicious. Perhaps strangers make your dog feel uneasy. In such instances, your dog might pull to approach them or pull in the opposite direction to create distance. In either scenario, leash manners can quickly be abandoned.
To help your dog manage distractions, redirect their focus back to you. Calmly offer treats or engage in a game. For example, ask for a “sit” or a “hand target.” These are simple commands for your dog to execute and will help keep them engaged as the distraction passes. You can also teach your dog to make eye contact with you using the “watch me” cue, which allows you to control their gaze. Crucially, be proactive. Capture your dog’s attention before they notice the distraction, and there’s a good chance they won’t even register it. If you’re seeking expert guidance from experienced trainers or have further questions about dog training, explore the AKC GoodDog! Helpline page for online chat options or to register for the GDH program. The AKC GoodDog! Helpline is celebrating its tenth anniversary of supporting dog owners. If you need assistance, the experts at the AKC GoodDog! Helpline are available via phone or video to address any training queries, from housetraining a puppy to managing unwanted behaviors in senior dogs. Join the almost one million dog owners who trust the AKC GoodDog! Helpline.
