There are few things in life that look more joyful than a dog setting off on a walk. The tail-wagging enthusiasm, the eager sniffing of every bush, lamppost, and mystery patch of grass—it’s pure, unfiltered glee. That is, of course, unless your beloved companion happens to be one of those dogs who mistakes a leisurely stroll for an Olympic speed-walking event. If your daily walks feel more like a competitive sledding trial, then my condolences. But fear not—there is hope.
A few years ago, we were invited to a charming house sit near Burford, the gateway to the Cotswolds, to care for a young Black Labrador. The dog’s owner—who, I couldn’t help but notice, was roughly the same weight as her enthusiastic canine companion—suggested a quick tour of the village and the usual walking routes. I was eager to explore the rolling countryside and picturesque lanes, so after harnessing the Lab, off we went.
The moment we set foot outside, however, it became abundantly clear who was in charge of the walk—and it wasn’t the person holding the lead. If the dog caught wind of an interesting scent (which, given its enthusiasm for olfactory investigation, happened approximately every three seconds), it would veer violently to one side, head buried in hedgerows, sniffing like a truffle pig on a mission. The owner, arms stretched out in front of her like an unfortunate waterskier, clung on for dear life. How she hadn’t been dragged headfirst into a ditch already was nothing short of a miracle.
Sensing the impending disaster, I offered to take the lead. The moment I gripped it, I felt the raw power of an untrained dog—a sheer force of nature, hell-bent on following its nose at all costs. It took every ounce of strength, but I managed to shorten the leash, guiding the Lab firmly to my side, where I held her, despite her valiant efforts to lunge at every tempting scent.
This, I realised, was not going to be the idyllic countryside ramble I had envisioned. I was honest with the owner—at this rate, every walk would be a battle, not a pleasure. She sighed, confessing that walking the dog had become a nightmare. Every outing was a nerve-wracking ordeal, and she lived in constant fear of being pulled off her feet—especially when crossing the road.
Before I go into the steps (pun unintended) I took to make our countryside expeditions more walk and less drag, let’s talk about why dogs like our lovely Labrador, assume they’d draft horses hauling rocks up a hill.
Image by T. H. Jensen from Pixabay
Why Dogs Pull (And Why It’s Not Their Fault)
If you think about it from your dog’s perspective, pulling makes perfect sense. Their legs are shorter than ours, their noses are infinitely better, and they are wired to explore at every possible opportunity. The world outside is thrilling, filled with fascinating smells, sights, and—if you’re especially unlucky—other dogs whose presence they simply must acknowledge by straining at the lead like a Victorian chimney sweep hauling a full day’s soot.
The trouble is, pulling is a self-rewarding behaviour. If every time your dog yanks forward, they get to sniff that irresistible patch of grass, they quickly learn that pulling gets results. But don't worry—there are ways to break this cycle and reclaim your leisurely strolls.
Step-by-Step: How to Stop Your Dog Pulling on the Lead
1. Choose the Right Equipment
Before tackling training, let’s talk gear. A standard collar and lead setup works for some dogs, but for strong pullers, it's like attaching a kite to a hurricane. Consider these alternatives:
- A front-clip harness. This redirects your dog's forward momentum, making it harder for them to pull and far easier for you to halt them in their tracks or redirect their path. Avoid back-clip harnesses, which actually encourage pulling (think: huskies pulling sleds).
- A headcollar (e.g., Halti or Gentle Leader). This works wonders for some dogs but can take getting used to. Introduce it gradually and along with plenty of treats.
- A sturdy, non-retractable lead. Avoid extendable leads at all costs if your dog is prone to pulling - all these do is teach your dog that pulling gets them more lead.
2. Burn Off Excess Energy Before Walks
If your dog explodes out of the house like a cannonball every time you pick up the lead, try burning off some energy first.
- A few minutes of basic obedience training (sit, stay, touch) will help take the edge off any over the top excitement.
- I favour a method I call Gatekeeper. I give the sit command and then open the door. If the dog tries to get out the door, I close it. I can do this all day if need be, but even the most obstinate dogs realise after the 4th or 5th false start that they’d better keep their butts glues to the floor if they want a sniff at getting a walk. I’ll do the same at any gate we need to pass through along our walk. In no time they’ll learn that gates are places where they need to show restraint which adds an element of safety to your walks.
3. Become a Tree (Yes, Really)
This is a simple yet effective method: every time your dog pulls, you plant your heels and stand stock still. Don’t yank them back, don’t scold. Just stop. Stand rooted like an unyielding oak tree. Eventually, your dog will look back, confused by this new lack of cooperation. The moment they loosen the lead, praise them and start walking again. It’s slow at first, but stick with it.
4. Reward Loose Lead Walking (Positive Reinforcement)
Dogs do what works for them. If pulling gets them places, they’ll pull. If walking nicely gets them rewards, they’ll do that instead.
- Use small treats and praise whenever your dog walks without tension on the lead. This is the essence of positive reinforcement dog training and the key is timing it to catch the good behaviour before they start pulling again.
Image by Andrés Carlo from Pixabay
5. Use the ‘Change Direction’ Trick
If your dog insists on pulling ahead, try this: the moment they charge forward, cheerfully say, “This way!” and turn 180 degrees. Walk briskly in the opposite direction. Your dog will scramble to catch up, and when they do, praise and reward them! After a few surprise turns, they’ll start paying more attention to where you are instead of charging ahead like an overly enthusiastic tour guide.
6. Don’t Allow Pulling to be Rewarded
Here’s the crucial part: never let pulling "work." If your dog drags you over to sniff a hedge and you let them, they learn that pulling gets them what they want. Instead, get their attention, walk them calmly towards the hedge, and reward their restraint behaviour when they get there.
7. Short, Positive Training Sessions
A dog’s attention span is, to put it mildly, not their strongest feature. Keep training sessions short. Five to ten minutes per session, a couple of times a day. Always try to end these with a win for you and your best friend. The more consistent you are, the faster your dog will learn.
8. Train in Low-Distracting Environments First
Trying to teach polite walking in the middle of a bustling park full of other dogs, squirrels, and tempting picnic scraps is like trying to learn calculus at a rock concert. Start somewhere quiet. Your garden, a driveway, a sleepy street. Gradually build up to more exciting places.
Patience is Invaluable
Four days into the house sit near Burford, the young Labrador and I had reached something of a truce. Walks were beginning to look less like an elaborate game of tug-of-war and more like a civilised outing of a man with his dog. There was even—dare I say it—a sense of rhythm to our strolls.
That is, until we reached a kissing gate. As I paused to scan ahead for any potential hazards—approaching dogs, territorial rams, the occasional slumbering bull—the Labrador spotted something utterly irresistible. In a heartbeat, she lunged, aiming straight for one of the gateposts. Had she gone for the near post, I’d have been fine. But no—she chose one of the far posts, yanking me along for the ride and twisting my arm neatly between the gate and post like an unfortunate human corkscrew.
Apart from a respectable bruise and a renewed sense of humility, no real damage was done. But it was a sharp reminder of just how quickly a dog with poor leash manners can turn a pleasant walk into an impromptu slapstick routine.
There will be setbacks like this. Some days, your dog will behave as though they’ve had a full memory wipe overnight and revert to pulling like a sled dog in the Iditarod. That’s normal. The above leash training techniques aren’t a straight road; more a scenic route with plenty of unexpected detours. The key is consistency. Keep reinforcing good behaviour, and eventually, it will stick.
I hope by now you are able to imagine it: a walk where you’re not dragged into brambles, yanked across the road, or tangled up in the leash with a stranger. A stroll where you can admire the countryside, nod politely to passing dog owners, and if the weather is kind, actually enjoy yourself.
Does your dog have a unique pulling habit that’s been driving you mad? Have you tried any of these techniques with success? Share your experiences in the comments below—I’d love to hear them!
Heading off on holiday? At A-Breed-Apart, Glenn and Mandy are not just house sitters—they’re pet lovers with years of experience caring for animals of all temperaments, breeds, and needs. From medication schedules to cuddles on the sofa, they ensure your pets stay happy, healthy, and loved in the comfort of their home.
Why settle for anything less than personalised care?
Contact Glenn and Mandy today for worry-free pet care.
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Use This Simple Step-by-Step Routine to Stop Your Dog Pulling on the Lead:
- Use a front-clip harness or headcollar.
- Burn Off Excess Energy Before Walks.
- Stop walking the moment your dog pulls.
- Reward loose-leash walking with treats.
- Change direction if your dog pulls ahead.
- Don’t Allow Pulling to be Rewarded.
- Keep training sessions short and positive.
- Train in Low-Distracting Environments First.
Stopping your dog from pulling isn’t about controlling them—it’s about teaching them that walks are a partnership, not a tug-of-war. With patience, the right tools, and plenty of praise, you’ll soon be enjoying walks that are as pleasant for you as they are for your four-legged friend.
And if all else fails, well—there’s always a no-pull harness and a strong cup of tea waiting for you at home.
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Author Bio
Glenn Bauer is a trusted professional specializing in pet and house sitting for rural homes and estates across the Cotswolds and South West and South England. With years of hands-on experience in managing properties and animals, he offers tailored care and solutions. His expertise is reflected in consistent 5-star client reviews. Read Glenn's journey to professional pet and house sitter Glenn and Mandy: The Journey behind A-Breed-Apart
If you'd like to send Glenn a message, then visit his Contact Page.
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