Why Your Dog Pulls on the Lead (And What Actually Helps)

Constant pulling during walks can be uncomfortable for both you and your dog. If you’re getting dragged around and your dog nearly chokes themselves, no one wins. That’s why teaching proper leash manners is essential for everyone involved. Unfortunately, a lot of the common methods for preventing pulling do more harm than good, so what’s the best approach?

Common Reasons Dogs Pull

To stop dog pulling, you first need to get to the root of the problem. Below are some of the most common reasons dogs pull frequently on walks.

Excitement

Going outside is thrilling for most dogs. There are so many new sights and smells to experience, so it’s hard for them to hold back. Pulling gets dogs to the excitement faster, which encourages them to pull more.

Habit

Many dogs pull simply because that’s what they’re used to. Dogs learn that good things happen when they pull, so they keep doing it. This behaviour might start with them pulling to get closer to desired smells, but it can evolve into constant pulling to find interesting things on walks.

Pace Mismatch

Most dogs naturally walk faster than humans, especially young, healthy dogs. Before they were domesticated, dogs had to move efficiently to hunt and avoid predators. Even though that’s not as important in a comfortable home setting, dogs are still fast while most humans walk at a more leisurely pace.

Environment

Certain environments can increase a dog’s desire to pull. Crowded areas could cause dogs to become over-stimulated, resulting in more pulling. Wildlife trails could encourage dogs to pull to find critters to chase. Walks are often the highlight of the day for dogs, so your surroundings are a lot more enticing for your dog than they are for you.

Why Yanking and Constant Correcting Doesn’t Work Long-Term

Dogs pulling is frustrating. Yanking and using correction tools seems to stop the pulling, but those are only short-term fixes. When you pull back on your dog’s leash, it may restrict them from pulling further or surprise them enough to stop them. Yet, it doesn’t help your dog understand what you’re expecting from them, so they often resume pulling in the future

These methods may also cause an oppositional reflex from your dog, causing them to want to pull harder to stop the yanking or correction. This can lead to a frustrating cycle of them pulling and you pulling back, solving nothing long-term.

Reducing dog pulling isn’t something that happens in one session. It requires calm, consistent methods to set your dog up for success and help them understand expectations.

Ways to Effectively Stop Dogs from Pulling

You don’t have to do anything big to stop dog pulling. Instead, introducing small, realistic changes into your routine is the best way to get positive results. Below are a few methods that help reduce dog pulling.

Stop Walking When Your Dog Pulls

When your dog pulls, resist the urge to yank back. Instead, focus on calm handling. Many vets and trainers recommend the “stop and wait” method, which requires you to stop walking whenever your dog pulls. If your dog pulls, stand still and wait for them to relax before you continue.

This method is especially helpful if your dog is pulling because they’re excited about something. Dogs often pull to get closer to a sight or smell faster, but when you stop walking, that teaches them that pulling doesn’t get them to their reward. Practice this method consistently until your dog starts walking calmly with you.

Use Consistent Gear

Consistency is key for all dog training. Front-clip harnesses, martingale collars, slip leads, and head halters are all great tools to help with leash walking, however, they must be used correctly and consistently. Putting them on your dog isn’t enough to correct bad behaviours, but instead, the gear must be paired with training.

Walking gear is designed to give your dog a cue to stop pulling, whether that’s turning them around or tightening the collar around their neck. Using positive reinforcement training, you can teach your dog that these feelings mean to stop pulling. Start with short sessions in a quiet environment before trying them outside.

Once you decide which gear to use, stick with it to avoid confusing your dog.

Focus on Timing

Timing is crucial for helping your dog understand your expectations. For example, if you’re teaching them to stop pulling when they feel their collar tighten, reward them immediately when they stop. If you wait too long, they might not associate the reward with the action.

To help with timing, ensure you’re focused on your dog while training and walking. While they’re still learning, avoid looking at distractions like your phone because that could cause you to miss opportunities to quickly reward your dog.

Reward Calmness

The goal for good leash manners is for your dog to walk calmly beside you instead of pulling. Bring a treat pouch along on walks so you can easily access training treats on the go. Give treats to your dog not only when they stop pulling but also when they consistently stay relaxed outside.

Small Changes Prevent Pulling the Best

It’s easy to want instant results when it comes to dog training, but that isn’t realistic. Instead, focus on small adjustments that set your dog up for success. Stay consistent in your training methods, such as using the same cues and sticking with specific training tools. By keeping up with these small methods, you’ll start to see your dog pull less on walks, leading to long-term results.