How to Teach My Dog to Stop Pulling on Walks

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by Suzy - Online Dog Coach

Pulling on the leash is a common behavior problem many dog owners experience. Let’s face it, to the dog, pulling is rewarded because he gets to the destination faster! There are several training techniques and tools you can use to get your dog to stop pulling – reward for proper positioning, change your direction, or use an Easy Walk harness or Gentle Leader head collar. For each of these methods, use a 6 foot flat leash, not a retractable leash.

A retractable leash is one tool that teaches a dog TO PULL. With a retractable, there is constant pressure on the collar, so the dog gets used to the feeling and isn’t cued when he is wandering too far from the handler. If you want to use a retractable leash, I recommend using a halter with a back attachment. NEVER use a retractable leash on a corrective halter or head collar that applies pressure to the dog.

Training Techniques

Use a level of reward that is just enough for the situation in which you are training. Use an average treat for training in your yard, but a super yummy treat when going out to the park where there are more distractions.

Start training in a familiar location, such as your back or front yard, and progress to down the street or at the park. You can give your dog freedom on walks intermittently by using a release word to allow your dog to sniff and wander.

Reward for Proper Position

This positive dog training method reinforces the dog for walking in the proper location – right by your leg. Your dog will learn more quickly if you mark his behavior with a word or clicker, because he will know where he needs to be to get a reward. Watch how to train proper walking position in the Heeling on the Left training video.

After a few sessions, you can work on turns as shown in the Heeling in a Figure 8 Pattern training video. Also vary the training by changing your pace, sometimes walk quickly or slowly.

Stop or Change direction

For this method, you need ample space in a location without other pedestrians. The goal is to show the dog he will not move forward by pulling because you stop or turn the opposite direction when your dog begins to pull. Here’s how it works.

While walking, reward for proper location as discussed above. When your dog begins to pull, simply stop walking. You can also turn and walk the opposite direction, but do not yank on the leash, just bring it with you. Mark and reward when the dog turns to you and returns to a position right by your leg.

Victoria Stilwell frequently uses this method, and you can watch her series “It’s Me or the Dog” to see this method in action.

Halters and Collars

If all else fails, or you don’t have the time and patience for training, there are several halters that ease the pulling. These tools apply pressure that either redirects the dog, or is slightly uncomfortable without being painful. The most successful are the Gentle Leader Easy Walk™ harness (read the Easy Walk review) and the Gentle Leader Headcollar. However, NEVER use a retractable leash with these tools since it applies a constant pressure. Doing so desensitizes your dog to the collar and subjects your dog to unnecessary discomfort.

Gentle Leader Easy Walk™ harness:

The Easy Walk™ harness is different from other harnesses because the clip for the leash is on the chest area instead of on the shoulder area. Since all of a dog’s power is in his chest, harnesses that clip on the back provide extra pulling power. But with the clip on the chest, it puts pressure on the chest and turns the dog back towards you. At that moment you can acknowledge the dog and show him the correct place to walk is next to your leg. Mark and reward proper positioning.

Gentle Leader Headcollar:

This collar works in a similar method to the Easy Walk Harness in that when the dog pulls, the collar pulls the dog’s nose down and back towards the handler. When properly fitted, the dog is still able to eat, drink, pant, bark, and bite. When pressure is applied by the leash, it closes the dog’s mouth and pulls the dog’s nose toward you, at which time you can mark and reward the dog for looking at you and moving back into the proper position by your leg.