Tips to stop your dog from pulling on the leash: The complete guide for peaceful walks
Updated 15 October 2026
In short: a dog pulls because pulling gets it forward: it's rewarded with every step. To change that, make a tight lead pointless (you stop) and a loose lead worthwhile (you move on and reward). Use a Y harness with a chest ring and a fixed lead of about 1.5 m, avoid retractable leads, and keep sessions short and regular. Expect a few weeks of practice.
Why does my dog pull on the lead?
A dog that pulls isn't stubborn or "dominant". It naturally walks faster than we do, and every time it pulls and we follow, it learns that pulling works. Other causes add to this:
Walks are the best part of the day
Smells, other dogs, new things: the urge to move forward is strong, especially at the start of the walk.
Pulling has always paid off
If pulling has often got it where it wanted, the habit is well established. It needs to be shown another way.
A squirrel, a bike
Things that move trigger the urge to chase. It's normal behaviour, managed with distance and rewards.
It wants to get away
A worried dog may pull to escape a noise or another dog. Here you reassure and add distance, you don't force.
Quiz: what's the main cause for your dog?
The right gear
Every pull on the throat
The collar is for the tag, not for holding back a dog that pulls.
The chest ring turns the dog
When it pulls, it's turned sideways towards you, without pain. Pulling pays off less.
| Gear | Our advice |
|---|---|
| Harness | Y shape with a chest ring: our Confort harnesses. |
| Lead | Fixed, about 1.5 m, comfortable handle: our 150 cm leads or a multi-position lead on its short setting (120 cm). |
| Retractable lead | Avoid while training: the lead is always tight, so the dog learns that pulling gets it forward. |
| Rewards | Small, very tasty treats that are easy to give on the move. |
The method, step by step
1. Stop and Go
- Set off with a loose leadThe lead hangs in a "U" between you and the dog.
- Lead tight: stopStop dead, without talking or pulling back. You become a tree.
- Wait for slackAs soon as the lead slackens (it steps back or turns round), mark it with "Yes!".
- Move on immediatelyMoving on is the reward. Add a treat at first to speed things up.
Details and variations: the Stop and Go method.
2. Reward the right position
- Often at first: reward every few steps when it walks near you on a loose lead.
- At the right moment: the reward comes within a second; a marker word ("Yes!") or a clicker helps you time it.
- Then intermittently: once it's learned, space rewards out unpredictably.
3. Heel, as an option
For tricky moments (crowds, roads), a precise heel is useful. See teaching your dog to heel.
A realistic timeline
- Week 15–10 minute sessions at home or somewhere very quiet. Very frequent rewards.
- Weeks 2–3Quiet street, park early in the morning. Stop and Go every time the lead tightens, no exceptions.
- Weeks 4–6Add distractions at a distance. Keep high-value treats for tricky moments.
- After thatSpace out rewards. If pulling comes back, spend a week on the previous step.
True or false
A quick jerk on the lead gets the message across.
FALSEIt doesn't teach what to do, can hurt the neck and damages trust. Aversive methods are linked to more stress in dogs.
A retractable lead helps teach loose-lead walking.
FALSEIt's always slightly tight: the dog never learns what a loose lead feels like.
Letting it sniff is part of the walk.
TRUEYes. Plan sniff breaks on cue: they're a much-loved reward.
An anti-pull harness is enough to solve the problem.
FALSEIt reduces pulling while it's worn, but without training the dog starts again with other gear.
Checklist before each session
I'm ready if:
See Confort harness + lead walking kits
Frequently asked questions
Why does my dog pull on the lead?
Because pulling has often got it forward, because it's excited, attracted by something or sometimes worried. Understanding the cause helps you choose the right approach.
How long until it stops pulling?
Often a few weeks of regular practice, sometimes longer. Consistency matters more than session length.
Which harness for a dog that pulls?
A Y harness with a chest ring: it turns the dog when it pulls, without pressing on the throat.
What lead length for training?
A fixed lead of about 1.2–1.5 m. See how to choose lead length.
Should I punish a dog that pulls?
No. Punishment doesn't teach it what to do and increases stress. Make a loose lead worthwhile and a tight lead pointless.
Sources
- Vieira de Castro A. C. et al. (2020). Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PLOS ONE.
- Carter A., McNally D., Roshier A. (2020). Canine collars: an investigation of collar type and the forces applied to a simulated neck model. Veterinary Record.