One of the deepest joys of dog ownership is the simple pleasure of walks together. Yet, this shared experience can quickly turn frustrating when your canine companion transforms into a miniature sled dog, pulling relentlessly on the leash. If your daily strolls feel less like a peaceful outing and more like a never-ending game of “Red Light, Green Light” where you’re always losing, it’s time to equip your dog with essential loose leash walking skills. It’s crucial to understand that dogs aren’t born with an innate understanding of polite leash manners. Pulling is an incredibly common, albeit frustrating, behavior that many dog owners face. As an experienced dog trainer, I’ve successfully guided countless dogs, even the most enthusiastic pullers, to become enjoyable walking partners. The good news is that with patience and consistent application of positive methods, every dog can learn to walk nicely by your side.
It’s important to dispel a common misconception: your dog isn’t pulling out of dominance or an attempt to control you. Such notions are simply untrue and often lead to ineffective, and sometimes harmful, training approaches. Instead, pulling primarily indicates that your dog hasn’t been taught polite boundaries on a leash and is naturally more engrossed in the rich sensory world around them than in maintaining pace with you. This is perfectly normal! It falls to us, as responsible dog owners, to clearly communicate our expectations for walks. Misinterpretations about canine behavior have unfortunately led many owners to become impatient and even punish their dogs for pulling. This approach not only damages the bond with your pet but is also counterproductive. As a positive reinforcement trainer, I advocate for methods that prioritize your dog’s well-being and strengthen your relationship. You can absolutely, 100%, teach your dog impeccable leash manners using only positive training techniques, avoiding aversive tools like choke chains, prong collars, or shock collars. If you wouldn’t use something on a toddler, it shouldn’t be used on your dog.
This article is designed to be a thorough and comprehensive guide. I’ve often found other resources on loose leash walking to be overly simplistic, offering “5 quick steps” that don’t truly equip owners with the full knowledge needed for lasting success. My goal is to provide you with everything you need to know to transform your dog’s pulling habit. Enjoying a pleasant walk with your dog is a fantastic way to bond and enrich both your lives. I strongly encourage you to read through every section; each part builds upon the last, offering a holistic approach to resolving leash pulling and fostering a more harmonious walking experience.
Why Does My Dog Pull on Leash? (It’s Not Dominance!)
Contrary to popular belief, your dog pulling on the leash has nothing to do with dominance, control, or any notion of them “being a jerk.” The actual reasons are far more straightforward and rooted in canine nature and environment.
1. Not Enough Exercise
Many dogs, particularly those of active breeds, do not receive sufficient exercise to match their energy levels. For some, a 30-minute daily walk is their only opportunity for physical exertion, which is often simply not enough. It’s unrealistic to expect a dog brimming with pent-up energy to calmly walk beside you. To set your dog up for success in loose leash training, ensure they are adequately tired before starting training sessions. This might involve off-leash play, chasing a ball or frisbee, or visits to a dog park. If your schedule limits your ability to provide this exercise, consider hiring a professional dog walker or enrolling them in doggy daycare. Meeting your dog’s breed-specific exercise requirements is a fundamental aspect of responsible dog ownership. Before demanding a certain behavior from your dog, always assess whether you’re fulfilling their intrinsic needs.
2. Humans Are Slow
Most dogs naturally walk at a faster pace than humans. To put it in perspective, imagine walking a turtle. You’d likely grow impatient and want to quicken your pace, right? To our dogs, we are often the “turtle.” Acknowledge that slowing down their natural gait is challenging and requires significant effort and conscious restraint on their part. While it’s unnatural for them, dogs can absolutely learn to adjust their pace to yours with consistent training.
3. Outside Smells Amazing
For dogs, the outdoor environment is an overwhelming sensory banquet. Imagine you’re trying to work at your desk, but your favorite TV show is playing loudly nearby. How difficult would it be to concentrate? Or, consider how tempting it is to glance at your phone during a social gathering, even if you know it’s impolite. For dogs, the sights and, especially, the smells outside are infinitely more distracting during the “job” of walking politely.
Dogs possess an extraordinary sense of smell, with approximately 50 times more scent receptors and 40 times more brain space dedicated to processing smells than humans. We can barely comprehend their ability to detect odors diluted to one or two parts per trillion. What appears to you as a simple patch of grass is, to your dog, an intricate tapestry of scents – a veritable “nose bliss.”
Dog sniffing intently on a grassy patch during a walk
This powerful sense of smell also means that sniffing can serve as a potent reward. If your dog has spent months or years successfully pulling you towards intriguing smells, they’ve been inadvertently rewarded for their pulling behavior. Changing this ingrained habit will require time, patience, and the introduction of new, more desirable rewards.
How Do Dogs Learn? Understanding Positive Reinforcement
Understanding how dogs learn is fundamental to effective and humane training. In essence, there are two primary approaches to dog training:
- Reward desired behaviors: This involves reinforcing actions you want your dog to repeat, such as offering a treat when they walk nicely or make eye contact.
- Punish unwanted behaviors: This method attempts to stop behaviors by applying aversive stimuli, like using a prong collar when a dog pulls.
As a positive reinforcement trainer, I firmly believe it’s our responsibility to clearly teach our dogs what we do want from them. Training that relies on punishing a dog until they “guess” the correct behavior is not only stressful for the animal but also highly inefficient. Imagine if your parents or boss expected you to learn that way – the anxiety would be immense! It is our job to be clear and constructive in our teaching.
Punishment-based techniques primarily convey what not to do, while positive training actively teaches dogs what to do. If your goal is to teach your dog not to pull on the leash, you must begin in an environment where they can succeed and where opportunities to reward desirable behavior are abundant. For many dogs, this means starting loose leash training indoors, where distractions are minimal.
It can be challenging to grasp how the training environment impacts your dog’s ability to perform. Consider this analogy:
Do you know your ABCs? Of course. If I asked you to recite them silently to yourself right now, you could easily do it. This is akin to asking your dog to heel in the quiet, familiar environment of your home – minimal distraction, high chance of success.
Now, if I asked you to tell your spouse or child the ABCs, it might feel a little awkward, but you’d still manage it. This is like asking your dog to heel in your backyard, a familiar but slightly more distracting setting.
Finally, imagine being placed on a stage in front of 10,000 people and asked to sing your ABCs into a microphone. Most people would be so overwhelmed they might forget how to speak, let alone sing. This is comparable to asking your dog to walk politely on a leash in a highly distracting environment, full of new sights, sounds, and smells.
How stressed would you feel if, in that scenario, you were threatened with punishment for not performing your ABCs perfectly? This is precisely the unfair situation we create when we punish a dog for struggling to “perform” in an overwhelming environment where they haven’t been adequately prepared. Such an approach is neither fair nor an effective way to train. It’s equally ineffective in positive training to put your dog in a situation where they are too overwhelmed to learn and then attempt to control them solely with treats.
To effectively use positive reinforcement, you must create opportunities for success. Start in an environment where your dog can learn and earn praise and rewards, allowing them to clearly understand your expectations. While you inherently know your ABCs, the context of where you’re asked to perform them dramatically alters your chances of success. Dogs are no different. Build up the difficulty gradually, giving your dog ample opportunity to solidify their skills. They absolutely can learn to walk nicely in highly distracting environments, but this transformation will not happen overnight.
3 Essential Skills to Teach Your Dog BEFORE Loose Leash Walking
A dog and owner practicing a focus exercise indoors
Warning: Do not skip these foundational skills and jump straight into loose leash training! These three commands are crucial for developing your dog’s impulse control and teaching them the immense value of focusing on you. When you eventually transition to more distracting outdoor environments, these skills will be invaluable for maintaining your dog’s focus. A focused and engaged dog is significantly less likely to pull on the leash. Mastering these prerequisites will save you considerable frustration and prevent sore arms.
I recommend practicing these skills for at least a few days before initiating any loose leash walking training. Ensure your dog is solid on each one.
1. Sit
The “sit” command is a cornerstone of basic dog obedience that every dog should know. It’s incredibly useful in loose leash walking training as a transitional command between heel and release cues, or as a helpful “time-out” break in highly distracting settings, allowing your dog to gather themselves and refocus.
2. Focus
The “focus” command teaches your dog to make eye contact with you upon cue. This skill is an essential building block for more advanced obedience behaviors and significantly strengthens the bond between you and your dog. When your dog learns that looking at you leads to positive outcomes (like treats or praise), it creates a powerful association. Eye contact is vital for clear communication and maintaining engagement. In distracting environments, a well-trained “focus” command can effectively calm your dog and redirect their attention back to you, preventing them from becoming overwhelmed or fixated on distractions.
3. Leave It
“Leave it” is a critical command for both training and safety. It proves incredibly useful during distraction training, such as loose leash walking, but more importantly, it can be a life-saving skill. Puppies and dogs are notorious for attempting to ingest random items they discover on the ground. A reliable “leave it” command can prevent your dog from consuming something dangerous, allowing you to communicate that they should ignore an item without needing physical intervention. “Leave it” essentially functions as a promise to your dog: if they choose not to grab or engage with the tempting object, you will reward them with something even better.
The Difference Between Heeling and Loose Leash Walking
The terminology surrounding loose leash walking can be confusing, as different trainers often define it uniquely. In my approach, I distinguish between two distinct ways of walking a dog: a perfect heel and loose leash walking. Both have their place and are valuable skills to teach.
Heeling
To me, “heeling” means the dog walks precisely at your side, neither falling behind nor advancing past your knee. I personally train dogs to walk on my left side, which is a common standard. My expectations and boundaries during a heel are much stricter than during loose leash walking. I require the dog to be exactly by my left side, matching my pace, with no allowances for sniff breaks or greetings with other dogs or people.
If this sounds incredibly strict, you’re right – it is! However, teaching your dog to heel is an excellent way to establish clear boundaries and expectations during the initial learning phases. The rules are unambiguous, and dogs often grasp them quickly. While teaching your dog not to tug on leash, I recommend incorporating “heel” about 50% of the time. This clear structure effectively communicates the desired behavior. Once your dog is fully trained, I suggest maintaining a strict heel for only about 10% of your walks or less. It’s a valuable skill for navigating crowded sidewalks, busy areas, or other highly distracting settings where your dog needs to be under tight control. While too rigid for constant use, it’s a foundational skill worth learning and maintaining.
You can observe a dog named Kiki, whom I trained, demonstrating a perfect heel. Kiki initially pulled so aggressively that her owners worried about walking her in winter conditions. With positive training, it took only about a week to achieve the level of heeling seen in this video. Positive training truly works!
https://vimeo.com/645569975/a8e875ce90
However, I also firmly believe that walks should be enjoyable for the dog! As your dog progresses in training, you should gradually increase the amount of time spent loose leash walking rather than in a perfect heel. Loose leash walking grants them the freedom to explore, sniff, and simply “be a dog.” Remember, the walk should be as much for your dog’s enrichment as it is for yours.
Loose Leash Walking
Once a dog has a solid understanding of heeling, I recommend transitioning to loose leash walking for the majority of your outings. For this, I suggest using a 6-foot leash. This length provides your dog with ample freedom to explore and sniff. Let them embrace their canine instincts! However, I strongly advise against retractable leashes due to safety concerns and their hindrance to effective training.
So, what exactly defines loose leash walking? I define it as my dog’s ability to move freely within the confines of a 6-foot leash, without any pressure or pulling on the leash. If the leash is taut or I cannot easily hold it with one finger, it’s not loose leash walking. If my dog wishes to sniff something and does so politely (without pulling), I will stop and allow them. Sniffing is a healthy and natural activity for dogs and contributes to their mental enrichment. If a sniff break extends for too long and I wish to continue walking, I expect my dog to rejoin me with a simple verbal cue. Crucially, neither you nor your dog should be pulling each other.
Watch Kiki demonstrating loose leash walking in this video. I allow her to investigate an interesting scent, and then, without any leash tension, I cue her to walk with me again.
https://vimeo.com/645644957/8964eedaf1
Training Your Dog to Heel and Loose Leash Walk Using Positive Reinforcement
Teaching your dog to heel or loose leash walk requires patience, but the rewards are immense. My dog, Neirah, accompanies me everywhere. She walks so impeccably that I rarely have to consciously manage the leash. The ability to relax, get lost in your thoughts, and simply enjoy a walk with your dog is truly wonderful. I sincerely wish that experience for you and am confident you can achieve it. I’ve guided countless dog owners through this process, and I can help you too.
Every dog possesses the capacity to walk politely on a leash; they simply need the time and guidance to learn. Your goal is to build a strong association that being close to you and paying attention during walks leads to fantastic things for your dog. We use treats to condition this positive association. Over time, treats can be gradually phased out (or at least dramatically reduced), and your dog will continue to choose polite walking. I rarely carry treats on walks with Neirah anymore, yet she consistently chooses to check in with me.
Important Considerations for Teaching Loose Leash Walking:
- Gradual Progression of Distraction: We will slowly increase the level of distraction. It may take several weeks before you can take your dog on a “real walk” in a busy environment, as opposed to dedicated training walks. During this period, ensure your dog receives sufficient exercise through fetch, dog parks, or backyard play. Expecting a dog with unspent energy to walk politely is unfair to them.
- Consistent No-Pulling Policy: From the very first day you commit to teaching your dog not to pull, this behavior must cease to be rewarded. This means that pulling should never result in your dog getting what they want. If they pull you to sniff something, that scent is a reward for the pulling action. You must be absolutely consistent in preventing pulling, rather than occasionally giving in. If you succumb to your dog’s strong pulling, it only teaches them to pull harder next time to achieve their desired outcome. From day one of training onward, pulling must never lead to your dog getting what they want. Dogs learn best through consistent training. Always reinforce that good things happen when they walk politely, not when they pull.
- Start in a Successful Environment: It is crucial to begin training in an environment where your dog can succeed. You need ample opportunities to reward them for doing things right. I always recommend starting the first session inside your house, where distractions are minimal.
- Lavish Rewards for Effort: You are asking your dog to learn a difficult skill, so reward their efforts generously! If you feel like a “Pez dispenser” with treats during loose leash walking training, you’re likely doing it correctly! Ensure you have a good supply of high-value treats (pre-broken into tiny pieces) in your treat bag for every session. Use these treats to clearly communicate to your dog when they’re performing well. To prevent overfeeding, you can slightly reduce their meal portions during intensive training periods. The treats will eventually be tapered off, but don’t phase them out too quickly!
Dog looking up at its owner for a treat during a training session
What You’ll Need:
- A comfortable, well-fitting harness or flat collar (avoiding aversive tools)
- A standard 6-foot leash (not retractable)
- Plenty of high-value, small training treats
- A treat pouch for easy access
- Patience and a positive attitude!
Teaching Your Dog to Heel: The Foundation of Leash Manners
Get Yourself Ready:
Begin with your dog in a sit position on your left side. Hold a small supply of treats in your left hand and the leash (loosely!) in your right hand. It’s important to deliver treats with your left hand to prevent your dog from learning to cut in front of you for the reward. The leash should remain slack at all times; your dog will be learning to pace themselves, not being held in place by tension.
Choose a Movement Phrase:
Select a specific phrase you will use to signal that you are about to start moving. I personally use “Let’s go!”, but feel free to choose any phrase that suits you and your dog.
Get Your Dog’s Attention:
Ask your dog to “Focus” on you, and immediately reward them with a treat when they make eye contact.
Begin:
Say your chosen movement phrase (e.g., “Let’s go!”), and use the treat in your left hand as a lure, guiding it just in front of your dog’s nose to keep them precisely at your side. Take about three steps with your dog walking perfectly by your side, then reward them with a treat. As your dog begins to understand this game, start incorporating the verbal cue “Heel” as you initiate walking.
Practice:
Dedicate consistent time to practicing this exercise. Gradually work towards being able to take 10 steps in a perfect heel. Once your dog can consistently perform 10 steps several times in a row, they are likely ready to move the training session outdoors to your yard.
Important: Every time you increase the distraction level, you need to take a step back in difficulty to ensure success.
Move Outside:
Remember, you want your dog to be successful! Since you’ve moved to a new environment (the yard), return to the initial step of luring for three steps and then offering a treat. As this becomes easy for your dog, slowly increase the number of steps back to 10.
Phase Out the Lure:
Once your dog has mastered 10 steps in the yard, it’s time to stop using the treat as a continuous lure in front of their nose. Instead, reward your dog for sitting next to you, then say “Let’s go!” followed by “Heel.” Slowly try to increase the number of steps you can take with your dog maintaining a perfect heel position. If you notice your dog starting to lose focus, try engaging them by talking to them to regain their attention. You want to reward your dog whenever they spontaneously check in with you, so offer a treat every time they make eye contact. Aim to work up to keeping your dog in a heel for a full minute between treats.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
If your dog is accustomed to pulling on the leash, you will likely need to spend several days practicing heeling in your yard. This is a new skill for them, and behavior change requires time and repetition.
Remember to progress slowly! Behavior change is hard and takes time. I suggest keeping training sessions short, around 20 minutes twice a day, to prevent both you and your dog from becoming overwhelmed or frustrated.
If your dog attempts to sniff or pulls sideways while heeling, calmly say “Leave it” and apply the slightest amount of leash pressure (as practiced in basic leash pressure training) to gently guide them back to your side. Reward them immediately every time they return to your desired position. Crucially, reinforce the understanding that pulling no longer leads to desired outcomes.
If your dog tries to pull ahead of you, say “Let’s go!” and immediately turn and walk in the opposite direction. Reward them when they follow you! This teaches your dog that they need to stay attentive and by your side because your direction might change at any moment. Emphasize that positive things happen when they follow your lead.
I do not recommend introducing loose leash walking until your dog has consistently mastered a full minute of heeling in your yard. Learning two new skills simultaneously can be mentally demanding, so focus on one at a time. Between heeling sessions, allow for sniff breaks and playtime to keep the training fun and engaging for your dog.
Once your dog can easily heel for a minute in your yard, gradually increase the distraction levels of your training locations. Begin with a quiet street or a calm path without other dogs; the new smells alone will provide sufficient distraction. Always remember: when you increase the level of distraction, reduce the difficulty of the task. I typically suggest returning to rewarding your dog for 10 steps of heeling in each new environment. Your dog will likely adapt more quickly with each new setting, so adjust the pace of difficulty based on their progress. Once your dog can heel for a minute in these moderately distracting environments, you are ready to introduce loose leash walking in addition to your stationary sniff/play breaks.
Teaching Your Dog to Loose Leash Walk: Freedom with Manners
Once your dog has learned the basic rules of heeling, it’s time to layer in loose leash walking! As a reminder, I define loose leash walking as your dog being allowed to go anywhere within the boundaries of their leash, with absolutely no tension on the leash. If I can’t easily hold the leash with one finger, it doesn’t count as loose leash walking. There should be no leash pulling or tautness.
If your dog wants to sniff during loose leash walking, stop and allow them! While I do not permit pulling, loose leash walking provides the freedom for your dog to explore and be a dog. Walks should be enjoyable for both of you.
Here’s how to teach your dog to loose leash walk:
Have your dog sit at your left side. Again, say “Let’s go!” to cue movement, and immediately follow it with “Okay!” while pointing ahead of you. Your dog might hesitate slightly, as they are accustomed to heeling closely. Continue walking, allowing your dog to slowly move away from your side within the leash’s length. If they stop to sniff something, let them! If a sniff break lasts too long, gently say their name followed by either “Let’s go” or “Leave it,” and reward them with a treat when they begin walking with you again.
It’s valuable to practice transitioning between heeling and loose leash walking. While your dog is learning, make these transitions easier by having them sit briefly between commands. “Let’s go!” consistently signals that you want movement, while “Heel” or “Okay” communicates the specific boundaries of where they should walk. Consistency in your verbal cues is incredibly important for your dog to understand your expectations.
Your dog will be naturally enticed by the increased smells and freedom during loose leash walking, so keep in mind that this can be a difficult skill to learn and master.
A Few Tips for Successful Loose Leash Walking:
- Maintain a Strict No-Pulling Policy: It’s vital to uphold your no-pulling rule. Be vigilant not to accidentally reinforce pulling by letting your dog drag you towards an enticing scent. Your dog earns their freedom on walks by demonstrating polite leash manners.
- Encourage Check-ins: You want your dog to want to check in with you and maintain awareness of your location. You should notice them looking up at you more frequently, a positive outcome of practicing “focus” and heeling. Keep this going! Give your dog a treat every time they spontaneously make eye contact with you without being prompted.
- Observe Body Language: Pay close attention to your dog’s body language during loose leash walking. Most dogs have a “tell” just before they start to pull. You might notice their eyes lock onto something, their body tense, or their ears pivot downwards. If you observe these pre-pulling signals, calmly say “Let’s go!” and turn in the opposite direction before they even have a chance to pull you. Reward your dog immediately for following you in the new direction. The most effective time to address pulling is before it happens.
- Manage Unexpected Distractions: If an unexpected distraction arises during your training walk (e.g., another dog, a loud noise), try to create distance between it and your dog. This might involve crossing the street, turning to walk in the opposite direction, or simply widening your path. If your dog appears highly distracted and overwhelmed, have them sit and practice their “focus” command, rewarding generously for each successful check-in. Sometimes, your dog simply needs a short mental break to re-compose.
- Handling Irresistible Scents: If you encounter a spot with such an amazing smell that your dog can’t resist pulling towards it, first try telling them to “Leave it,” and use a treat to redirect them in a different direction. Then, turn and attempt to walk past that spot again. If they still struggle and pull towards it a second time, switch them into a “Heel” position and use a treat to lure them calmly past. It’s perfectly okay to make mistakes during training, but never reward pulling by giving in to their desire to reach the distraction.
- Slowly Increase Time and Distraction: Remember to gradually increase the duration and the level of distraction in your loose leash walking sessions. Build up the skill slowly, ensuring your dog has ample opportunities to make the correct choices and be rewarded for them.
- Consider engaging your dog in activities like how to train your puppy to run or training a dog to run alongside you to help build stamina and focus, which can also contribute to better leash manners. Teaching your dog to jog with you, perhaps through resources like teaching your dog to jog or getting your dog to run with you, can also provide valuable exercise that supports calmer walks.
You and Your Dog Deserve Enjoyable Walks Together
Undoing the ingrained behavior of pulling on the leash can certainly take time and consistent effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. Just imagine: in as little as one month, you could be confidently taking your dog on enjoyable walks without any pulling! How truly amazing would that transformation be? The bond you share will deepen, and your daily strolls will become a source of mutual pleasure and relaxation.
Please share your success stories in the comments below once you’ve achieved loose leash walking with your dog. Happy training!
