How to stop a dog pulling on the leash
To reduce leash pulling, reward the position and attention you want before the leash becomes tight, practice first in easier environments and use access to sniffing or forward movement as part of the reward. Short successful repetitions beat an entire frustrating walk.
Pulling is often successful from the dog's perspective: it gets them toward smells, people and places. Training works better when loose-leash walking becomes rewarding too.
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Make the first sessions easier
- Start somewhere less exciting than your normal busy route.
- Reward beside you before tension appears.
- Use sniff breaks as a real-life reward.
- Keep practice short enough that both of you can succeed.
A simple progression
1Reward one or two loose steps
Do not wait for a perfect block of walking before paying the behavior.
2Add a little distance
Increase the number of steps gradually while the leash remains loose.
3Add distractions last
Busy streets and exciting dogs are advanced difficulty, not the starting point.
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Furrus offers general training and care guidance. It does not diagnose or treat medical or behavioral conditions, and it is not a substitute for a veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional.