A dog that drags you down the street takes all the joy out of a walk, and it’s one of the most common things owners bring to us. The good news? Loose-lead walking is a skill, and like any skill it can be taught at any age. Here’s how we approach it.
Understand why they pull
Dogs don’t pull to be “naughty”, they pull because it works. The world ahead is exciting, and every time pulling gets them closer to a smell, a friend or the park, the habit is rewarded. Our job is to flip that around, so calm walking is what pays off.
Stop rewarding the pull
The golden rule: pulling never gets your dog where they want to go. The moment the lead goes tight, change the picture. We use corrective u-turns, turning and calmly walking the other way, so pulling takes your dog further from whatever they were heading for rather than closer to it. We use resets, bringing your dog back to your side and starting the walk again properly. And we use recalls, bringing their focus back onto you when something up ahead has taken it. These are all things we work on with you in class and in 1:1 sessions, and together they teach your dog that a loose lead is what keeps the walk moving.
Reward the position you want
Don’t just wait for pulling to stop, actively reward your dog for being by your side. A treat, a kind word, the walk continuing. Catch them getting it right and they’ll offer it more and more.
Set them up to succeed
Start somewhere quiet and boring before you tackle the school run or the seafront on a sunny day. A collar and a normal-length lead (not an extendable one) give you far more control. And keep sessions short, five focused minutes beats a frustrating hour.
Be patient and consistent
If pulling has worked for years, it won’t un-learn overnight, and every family member needs to follow the same rules, or your dog gets mixed messages. Stick with it and it will click.
Want a hand?
Loose-lead walking is something we work on in every one of our classes, and it’s a favourite for 1:1 sessions too. If your dog’s pulling is getting you down, get in touch or come along to a class, we’ll get you both walking happily.