The "Stop and Go" method: the simple and effective technique for teaching your dog to walk on a leash
Updated 15 October 2026
In short: the principle fits in one sentence: when the lead tightens, you stop; when it goes slack, you move on. The dog learns that pulling no longer gets it forward and that a loose lead opens the way. Add treats at first, stay completely consistent (the whole family, on every walk) and allow a few weeks of practice.
What is the Stop and Go method?
| Tight lead | Slack lead | |
|---|---|---|
| You | Stop dead, without speaking | Move on straight away |
| The dog learns | Pulling gets it nowhere | Staying near you gets it forward |
Why does it work?
For a dog, moving towards a smell or another dog is a reward. Stop and Go uses that motivation: pulling loses the reward (you stop), walking on a slack lead earns it (you move on). Adding a treat when the lead is slack speeds learning up even more. It's a method without pain or intimidation, in line with trainers who work without aversive methods.
How to do it, step by step
- Pick a quiet placeHallway, garden, quiet street: few distractions for the first sessions.
- Kit it outA well-fitted Y harness and a fixed lead of 1.5–2 m, not retractable.
- Lead tight: stopStop dead, without speaking or pulling. Stand still.
- Wait for slackAs soon as the lead slackens (it steps back, turns, eases off): "Yes!".
- Move on and rewardMove on at once. At first, also give a treat at the level of your leg.
- Repeat, every time it tightensNo exceptions: a single time that pulling "works" brings the habit back.
Mistakes that make it fail
Giving in "just this once"
If pulling sometimes works, the dog pulls even more. On busy days, take another route rather than give in.
Retractable lead
Always tight: the dog never knows when the lead is slack.
Pulling back or jerking
It doesn't teach the right position and it damages trust.
Sessions that are too long
5–10 minutes is enough at first. End on a success.
A realistic progression
- Week 1Quiet place, 5–10 minute sessions, a treat every time you move on.
- Weeks 2–3Quiet street, then a park early in the morning. Changes of direction to keep its attention.
- Week 4 onwardsDistractions at a distance, treats spaced out. If it slips, go back a step.
I'm ready for my session:
To protect its neck while it learns, a Confort Y harness with a chest ring also helps bring it back towards you. Next: the full guide to dogs that pull and managing distractions.
See Confort harness + lead kits
Frequently asked questions
Does the Stop and Go method really work?
Yes, if it's applied every time the lead tightens, by everyone. Consistency is what gets results, far more than session length.
How long before it works?
You often see progress in the first sessions somewhere quiet. For reliable walking everywhere, allow several weeks.
Should I also use treats?
It's recommended at first: rewarding a slack lead at your leg speeds learning up. Space them out later.
What lead for Stop and Go?
A fixed lead of 1.5–2 m, never retractable, ideally clipped to a Y harness.