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Arm out of its socket, dog choking on the collar, walk ruined. Pulling is the problem owners mention most, and it’s almost always the same story: the dog has learnt that pulling works, because every time it pulls, it gets where it wants to go. Here’s how to change the deal.
Dogs walk faster than us, the world smells amazing, and pulling has paid off thousands of times. There’s also a reflex: pressure on the neck makes a dog push against it. Yanking back on the lead triggers more pulling, not less.
So the goal is simple: pulling must stop working, and walking beside you must start paying.
The moment the lead goes tight, stop dead. Don’t pull back, don’t speak. Wait. The second the lead slackens, even slightly because the dog turned to look at you, say “yes” and walk on.
It’s painfully slow for the first few walks. That’s normal. You’re teaching that a tight lead means the walk stops.
Keep small, tasty treats in a pocket on the side you want the dog. Every few steps when the lead is loose and the dog is near your leg, deliver a treat right by your trouser seam. Lots at first, then gradually fewer.
Real-life rewards count too: a sniff of that lamp post, saying hello to a friend, going through the park gate, all granted on a loose lead.
If your dog surges ahead, cheerfully turn and walk the other way. When it catches up, reward. Done often, the dog starts keeping an eye on you, which is exactly what you want.
Practise in the hallway, the garden, then a quiet street, before trying the high street or the park at rush hour. A dog can’t learn near squirrels what it hasn’t learnt in the kitchen.
A well-fitted Y-shaped harness with a front and back clip and a long-ish lead (around 2 m) is kind and gives you control while you train. Head collars can help with big, strong dogs if introduced gently.
Avoid choke chains, prong collars and anything that works through pain. They may stop pulling for a while, but they damage necks and make many dogs more reactive. Electronic shock collars have been banned in England since February 2024, and in Wales since 2010.
Retractable leads teach a dog that pulling extends the lead: not ideal while you’re training.
A young dog that’s been in all day will pull. A sniffy walk or a game in the garden before the “training” walk makes a huge difference.
With daily practice, most owners see a real change in two to four weeks. Consistency matters more than session length.
No. A loose lead is the goal. Let your dog sniff and explore on a slack lead, it’s part of a good walk.
Yes. It takes a little longer because the habit is older, but the method is the same.
Sources: The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023
