How to Stop Your Dog Pulling on the Leash

By Goody DoggyBased on AKC guidance

This guide shows you how to teach your dog to walk beside you with a loose leash. It’s written for puppies, teens, adults and rescues.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) says your dog pulls because they want to walk. If you let them walk while they pull, you give them the reward they want, and dogs repeat what earns a reward.

AKC calls loose leash walking a trained skill that you teach and keep reinforcing as your dog grows. If your dog is a teenager, our teenage dog guide covers more about that stage.

Before you start

• Use a light 6-foot leashPick a leash that’s easy to hold and lets you keep control. AKC says to skip retractable leashes and use a lightweight 6-foot leash.
• Pick a harness or collarYou can clip the leash to a harness or a properly fitted leather or nylon collar. A harness puts no pressure on your dog’s neck if they pull, and a front-clip harness can help if your dog tends to pull.
• Check the fitMake sure your dog can’t slip out of the harness and can still move freely while walking.
• Bring treats and rewardsHave lots of small treats your dog is excited about, both high-value and low-value. Praise, pets and a chance to sniff are rewards too.

At first, give rewards often. As your dog’s skills improve, you can slowly use fewer treats and swap in a sniff of a tree trunk or a hello to another dog.

Teaching a loose leash, step by step

1. Get your dog used to the gear

   Start by getting your dog used to wearing a harness with the leash attached. Rewarding this early helps your dog see value in staying close to you.

   AKC says you can start as soon as you bring a puppy home.

2. Teach a marker word

   Pick a marker, such as a clicker or a word like “yes.” In a quiet area, click or say the word and give a treat right away. Only use the marker when you have a treat to give.

   Then reward attention. Click or use your marker word and give a treat when your dog looks at you with the leash on, so they learn that being near you is rewarding.

3. Add a walking cue

   A cue like “let’s go” or “with me” tells your dog you want them to walk with you. Say it as you start moving, then mark and reward every few steps.

   Before a turn, say your dog’s name. Add a word like “turn” as you change direction, and treat your dog as they stay with you.

4. Stop when the leash goes tight

   As soon as your dog pulls, stop, plant your feet, and wait for them to come back to you or loosen the leash. Wait for a slack leash, which hangs in a J-shape, and for your dog to turn their attention back to you. Then praise, give a treat at your side, and walk on.

   You might have to stop and start every step or two at first. Your dog can learn that pulling makes the walk stop and walking politely lets it continue. Our come when called guide covers calling your dog back to you.

5. Add rewards from the walk

   Life rewards are everyday things your dog enjoys, like a sniff of a shrub or a hello to a stranger. If your dog walks 10 feet without pulling, release them to sniff for a few minutes.

   Make time several times a week to go somewhere your dog can sniff and go wherever they want. AKC says this can help your dog pull less.

6. Take it outside, then add distractions

   Once your dog walks well on a loose leash inside or in the yard, you’re ready for outside. Have plenty of high-value treats ready, cue your dog to watch, and reward any attention they give.

   Other dogs, squirrels and strangers can make your dog forget the rules. Get their focus on you before they see the distraction, then calmly offer treats or play a game, like asking for a sit.

7. Keep sessions short and calm

   In the beginning, you might get no further than the end of your driveway. Keep sessions short and upbeat, and aim for a loose leash even if it only takes you to the house next door.

   Stay calm too. Dogs are good at reading your emotions, and your mood can travel down the leash.

Common leash pulling mistakes

• Walking while your dog pullsYour dog pulls because they want to walk, so walking on a tight leash rewards the pulling. Stop and wait for a slack leash instead.
• Making an exception when you’re in a hurryAKC says any time you allow pulling, training goes back to square one. Until you can go beyond a few feet at a time, let your dog go in the yard or at the curb. Save the walk for when you have time to train.
• Taking good walking for grantedIf you only focus on what your dog does wrong, they may swap good behavior for other ways to get what they want. Reward every stretch of polite walking.
• Walking too slowlyPeople often walk too slowly for dogs, and that’s part of why dogs pull. While you’re training, a quicker pace can make it easier for your dog to learn.
• Ignoring your dog on the walkIf you’re on your phone, your dog has little reason to pay attention to you. Talk to your dog and stop for a quick game or training break.

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When to get help

AKC says seeking professional support is never a sign of failure and doesn’t mean you’re a bad dog owner. There’s no need to wait until you’re struggling and frustrated to start working with a dog trainer.

Working with a trainer from the start can help prevent undesirable habits. Not sure what to look for in a trainer? See what dog trainer certifications mean.

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