Have you heard of the ‘tug-of-war’ walk? The dog pulls, you pull back, he pulls harder — and in the end you’re exhausted and he hasn’t even broken a sweat. The bad news: a short lead won’t solve the problem. The good news: walking on a lead without pulling can be taught, with the right equipment and repetition.
Start with the right equipment
Especially with dogs that pull, avoid a neck collar — pulling is rewarded with pressure and, with strong jerks, can hurt the windpipe. A well-fitting chest harness distributes the force across the chest and gives you more control without causing harm. A padded harness is even more comfortable for medium to large dogs.
Basic principle: no movement in response to pulling
The dog pulls because it works — moving forwards is the reward. The golden rule: when the lead tightens, both of you stop or step back. You only move forwards when the lead is slack.
- Leave the house with the lead loose.
- The moment he pulls: stop (stand still like a tree).
- When he releases the tension and looks at you: move forward and reward him.
- Repeat. And repeat. And repeat.
It may take several weeks — that’s normal. Short, consistent sessions (2 to 3 walks a day) work better than one long session.
Reward instead of a tug
Take some treats with you and reward your dog whenever he walks alongside you with a loose lead. Asking him to ‘sit’ or ‘stay’ in the middle of a large open space prevents him from instinctively pulling.
The most common mistake: walks that are too slow
A dog that pulls is often just trying to get where it wants to go — to sniff around and explore. Alternate between a “leisurely stroll” (at a controlled pace, with a loose lead) and moments of freedom to sniff around in “permitted” areas. A dog that knows it will have time to explore pulls less during the walk.
When you can’t sort it out on your own
If the pulling is extreme or the dog has become reactive around other animals, seek out a trainer certified in positive reinforcement. In cases of anxiety or fear, trying to solve the problem without professional help rarely works — and the root cause is emotional, not ‘bad behaviour’.
With the right harness, clear rules and repetition, the walk stops being a struggle and becomes the bonding moment it should be. 🐾