What Not To Do When Your Dog Is Pulling on Their Leash

When it comes to taking care of our dogs, some of the most rewarding tasks we have to do for them can also be the most stressful. Going on long walks with our pet comes with tons of benefits, both physically and mentally. It can decrease stress, promote bonding, support our cardiovascular health and even help us to socialize with our neighbors. On the whole, while we might not always have the energy for a dog walk, it’s pretty good for us to get out there, no matter the weather.

Depending on your dog’s unique temperament, there can be some challenges on even the most pleasant walk. Many dogs, no matter how well-trained they are, may be inclined to pull on the leash. There are many reasons for this, and many of them are not a negative reflection on you or your pet. They might be reactive to certain sights or smells, like other dogs or animals. They might have tons of pent-up energy that they’re trying to get out. Maybe they have some idea where they’re going, like the park, but they just want to get there faster.

Whatever direction you and your pet go with leash training, there are some things you should never do when they’re pulling. Dog trainer Nicole Ellis says that the one thing she would never do is keep walking while a dog is pulling. “When you continue moving forward, you’re unintentionally rewarding the behavior by saying, ‘you pull and we will get to where you want to go/sniff,’” she says. Dogs tend to keep on doing what works, so if pulling gets them closer to a smell, dog or destination, they’ll repeat it. “Over time, this creates a habit, and often a stronger, faster pull.”

Dr. Anna Foreman is a vet. She agrees with Ellis, affirming that letting a dog pull you in the direction they want to go is one of the worst things you can do. “If a dog learns that pulling an owner in a certain direction leads to getting their own way, they will quickly repeat this behavior,” she says. “For example, they may refuse to move if they don’t want to go somewhere, which is especially challenging in large dogs. They may try to pull towards a dangerous situation,” she adds. It’s important for a pet parent to have full control over their dog both on and off the leash.

Pulling isn’t just annoying–it can actually also be dangerous. Allowing it won’t just lead to your dog being poorly trained, but it could cause other health problems, says Ellis. This is particularly true if you walk your dog with a collar rather than a harness. “In that case, all that pressure is concentrated on the neck, which is a very sensitive area. Repeated pulling can contribute to such things as tracheal damage especially in small breeds, neck strain, thyroid pressure and increased eye pressure of dogs prone to eye issues or bulging eyes,” she says. It can also be dangerous for you, increasing the risk of injury to your shoulders, wrists or back. 

While letting them walk ahead is the main thing, there are some other things that you should never let your dog do when they pull. One, says Ellis, is drag you to greet people or dogs. You decide where you go, not them. Another is to not give them breaks or sniff time. Your dog’s walk might sometimes feel like an obligation for you, but for them, it’s the most exciting part of their day. They need the stimulation, and more than that, they enjoy it. Always build in time for a little bit of a sniffari. “Walks should be about connection, safety, and enrichment, not just covering distance,” advises Ellis. “It’s better to go for a shorter, more controlled walk than a longer where you are lacking control of your pet.”

Dr. Foreman says that, if your dog pulls on the leash, you should never shout at them or punish them. “Dogs do not learn by negative reinforcement. They simply will not understand why they are being punished. These mechanisms are more likely to induce anxiety,” she says. In a similar vein, you shouldn’t jerk back the leash, as this can cause injury. She advises that instead, you should simply stop walking and stand still. Most importantly, be consistent with training. “Dogs need consistency to learn. If they are given mixed messages (e.g. one owner allows them to pull and another one doesn’t), they will not change their behavior.”

If you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to get your dog to stop pulling, Ellis offers some tips. The first is just to trial leash walking in your home. It might sound silly, but Ellis says that in doing this, you can practice without the smells and sight distractions outdoors, setting them up for success when they do get outside. Ellis says that walks her own dog next to a wall to teach them how to walk close to her. It can be difficult, particularly if you have a rescue dog, to make time for home or garden training. They need to get outside as soon as possible! But you can practice leash training in the home even if they’re already going on walks. 

Once you are ready to go outside, Ellis suggests going on trial walks in low-distraction areas rather than expecting immediate success on busy, distraction-filled walks. You should reward your dog frequently when the leash is loose, especially in distracting environments. Then, stop or change direction the moment the leash goes tight. Most importantly, says Ellis, is to make sure that their needs are met before the walk. Maybe you’ve already ensured that they’ve had enough mental enrichment, sniffing time and exercise before you try leash training. She also recommends using equipment that fits properly and is comfortable, such as a Y-shape harness instead of a collar. This will make things easier for both of you.

Pulling can happen for many reasons, and none of them are inbuilt or a fault of your dog’s personality. You should never punish them for struggling to walk on the leash. They might be nervous, especially if they find the outside world overwhelming. They might simply want to sniff and explore the world or get to their destination faster. Walking on a leash isn’t a natural behavior for a dog, and it takes time for them to learn it. Reward-based training and positive reinforcement will be the way to get them to where they need to be in most situations. With patience, kindness, and lots of treats, you can make sure that your walks are as easy and fun as they can be.