How do we teach our dogs to walk nicely on the lead without pulling our arms off?
There are several approaches, and what works for one dog may not work for another.
This article explains one technique you can try. If you need more help, please book a Training and Behaviour consultation. We would be more than happy to help.
With loose-lead walking, we want to teach the dog that keeping the lead loose leads to positive outcomes, while pulling does not get them where they want to go.
Staying near you needs to be more rewarding than rushing towards a tree to sniff or pulling towards another dog.
You are competing with things your dog finds highly rewarding, so how can you make staying with you worthwhile?
Before we begin, keep your training sessions short and enjoyable. One or two minutes may be enough when you are starting.
You can practise several times throughout the day, but don’t become a drill sergeant. Repetitive training quickly becomes boring for you and your dog.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Until your dog can walk calmly beside you inside the house, don’t expect them to perform the behaviour successfully on a busy street.
If possible, temporarily avoid situations where your dog repeatedly practises pulling while you establish the new behaviour.
You will need to find other safe and appropriate ways to meet your dog’s physical and mental needs during this process, which could take several weeks or months.
You might play in a securely fenced area, visit a suitable legal off-lead space, organise time with a compatible canine friend or provide games and enrichment at home.
Make sure the activity is appropriate for your dog’s age, health, abilities and recall.
You may find it helpful to give your dog an appropriate outlet for their energy before practising loose-lead walking in the lounge room.
A LITTLE SUGAR HELPS THE MEDICINE GO DOWN
Teaching your dog to walk without pulling requires plenty of reinforcement.
Use something your dog genuinely loves. Some dogs aren’t particularly interested in food but will happily work for a favourite toy or a short game.
If you use food, choose small, soft, dog-safe treats that can be eaten quickly so training can continue.
The right reward will depend on your dog’s diet, health and preferences. Account for training treats in their daily food intake and speak with your veterinarian if your dog has allergies, digestive issues or other dietary requirements.
Whatever you choose, make it valuable enough to compete with the surrounding environment.
STEP BY STEP
Here is the basic exercise:
- Begin without the lead in a quiet room. Gain your dog’s attention and encourage them to move close to you using an appropriate reward.
- Take one step. If your dog moves with you, immediately mark and reward the behaviour.
- Take another step and reward them again. During the early stages, reinforce frequently.
- If your dog moves away, calmly encourage them back and make the exercise easier.
- Repeat for one or two minutes and finish while your dog is still engaged and successful.
That is the basic exercise.
Continue practising until you can take two steps together, then three, four and gradually more.
Eventually, your dog should begin remaining close while you slowly increase the number of steps between rewards.
Once your dog understands the exercise without the lead, attach the lead and begin again from the first step.
REINFORCEMENT
Don’t ignore the behaviour you want—reward it.
The goal is to reinforce your dog before they move ahead and tighten the lead.
At first, keep the rewards frequent. As your dog becomes more successful, gradually increase the number of steps between rewards.
Once your dog can walk calmly on a loose lead inside the house, move into the backyard and begin again with one reward for each successful step.
When your dog can manage several steps, allow them appropriate opportunities to sniff.
Sniffing is valuable mental enrichment and can also be used as a functional reward: walking on a loose lead earns access to something your dog wants to investigate.
Once you are happy with your progress in the backyard, move to a very quiet park or oval where dogs are permitted.
Choose a time when the area is unlikely to be busy. As your dog becomes more successful, gradually introduce environments with slightly more distraction.
If possible, drive to the training location initially. This helps prevent your dog from rehearsing pulling on the journey there.
You might later have someone drive you to the park and practise walking home. Some dogs pull more while approaching an exciting destination than they do when leaving it.
Eventually, you can practise walking both to and from the park.
This introduces a much higher level of distraction, so allow plenty of time and remain patient. You may not reach your intended destination during every session, and that is okay.
Begin from the first step whenever you introduce a new environment. Dogs don’t automatically generalise a behaviour learned in the lounge room to the backyard, park or street.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Vary your walks
If you always travel in the same direction, your dog may anticipate where you are going and begin pulling ahead.
Change your direction and speed occasionally to encourage your dog to remain aware of your movement.
Let your dog sniff
Sniffing provides valuable mental enrichment and is naturally rewarding.
Allowing your dog to reach appropriate places they want to investigate—provided the lead remains loose—can help reduce frustration and reinforce calm walking.
Choose equipment carefully
A comfortable, correctly fitted harness may help with control while you train.
We don’t recommend equipment designed to cause pain, fear or discomfort, including choke chains, prong collars and electric shock collars.
Head collars and other walking equipment must be introduced carefully, fitted correctly and used without jerking or force. Seek advice from a qualified, force-free trainer if you are unsure which equipment is suitable for your dog.
No piece of equipment replaces training.
Never yank the lead
Don’t jerk or yank your dog’s lead. This can cause pain, injury and additional frustration.
If you become frustrated during a walk, calmly head home, do something enjoyable together and try again when you have more time and patience.
Work at your dog’s pace
Every dog is an individual.
Dogs respond to training in different ways and progress at different speeds. Some owners notice an improvement quickly, while others need considerably more time.
Remain patient and consistent.
Every walk is a training opportunity
Once your dog has learned to walk without pulling, remember that every walk continues to reinforce—or weaken—that behaviour.
Loose-lead walking often breaks down when the human response is inconsistent.
Adapt the method when necessary
No single method will suit every dog.
You may need to adjust your training according to your dog’s motivation, environment, physical abilities and reason for pulling.
Sometimes pulling is not simply a training issue. Pain, fear, anxiety, over-arousal or another behavioural or medical concern may be contributing.
If your dog’s pulling is severe, begins suddenly or occurs alongside other concerning behaviour, consult your veterinarian or an appropriately qualified behaviour professional.
Dogaholics Dog Training and Behaviour Services
Dogaholics is a dog training and behaviour service located in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area of NSW.
