How do I stop my dog from pulling on the leash?

Leash pulling is one of the most common complaints from dog owners — and one of the most fixable with consistent training. The key insight: pulling works. Every time a dog pulls and gets to sniff the lamppost, they are reinforced. The solution is to make pulling completely ineffective.

Why dogs pull

Dogs walk faster than humans and find the world intensely interesting. They pull because they are excited, the environment is stimulating, and historically pulling has moved them towards what they want. It is not dominance — it is simple operant conditioning working against you.

Equipment that helps (and what to avoid)

- Front-clip harness (e.g., PerfectFit, Ruffwear Front Range) — when the dog pulls, the clip redirects their body sideways rather than forward. Effective and humane.
- Head collar (e.g., Halti, Gentle Leader) — controls the head, which controls the body. Requires careful introduction to avoid head-shaking.
- Avoid back-clip harnesses for pullers — they distribute pulling force comfortably and can actually encourage pulling.
- Avoid choke chains, prong collars — aversive tools linked to increased fear and aggression, and not needed for this problem.

The stop-and-wait method

1. The moment the leash becomes taut, stop completely. Do not move forward.
2. Wait. Do not say anything. When the dog looks back at you or steps back towards you, the leash goes loose.
3. The instant the leash is loose, mark with "yes" and move forward. Forward movement is the reward.
4. Every time pulling occurs, stop. Every time the leash is loose, move forward.

This takes patience in early sessions but is highly effective within 1–3 weeks of consistent practice.

Loose-leash walking training

In low-distraction environments (your garden, a quiet street), teach your dog to walk beside you with a loose leash:
- Keep treats in your hand on the side the dog walks
- Reward frequently (every 5–10 steps initially) for staying beside you
- Gradually increase distance between rewards as the dog improves

Flovvi tip

Track your walk distances and note pulling frequency in Flovvi. Comparing walks from week 1 to week 4 is motivating and confirms the training is progressing.