If your dog pulls on the lead, start with short practice sessions in a quiet place. Reward them while the lead is slack; when it goes tight, stop moving rather than pulling back. Walk on again when they return towards you and the lead loosens. The aim is to make walking beside you worthwhile, not to force your dog into position.
Set up for a comfortable walk
Use a well-fitting collar or harness and a sturdy lead appropriate for your dog. Give them enough lead to move comfortably without reaching roads or other hazards. A short, constantly tight lead makes loose-lead practice harder. If you are using a harness, check its fit before heading out; our dog harness fitting guide covers the basic checks.
Choose a quiet, low-distraction spot for the first sessions. Have small rewards your dog enjoys ready so you can reinforce the behaviour you want without interrupting the walk.
Practise one stretch at a time
- Stand still and wait for your dog to be near you with a loose lead. Reward that moment.
- Take a few steps. Reward again while the lead remains slack, before your dog reaches the end of it.
- If the lead tightens, stop. Avoid jerking or dragging your dog. Wait for the lead to loosen, then resume walking and reward the loose lead.
- Repeat over a short stretch. Gradually increase the distance between rewards as your dog gets the idea.
Going forward is itself a reward for many dogs. Pausing when they pull helps separate pulling from progress; rewarding a loose lead shows them what does work. Let your dog have opportunities to sniff safely, rather than treating every walk as a strict heel exercise.
What if your dog keeps pulling?
Make the next session easier: move further from exciting sights, practise for less time, or reward more often. If your dog pulls hard enough that walks are difficult to manage, a properly fitted front-attach harness may help with handling, but it does not replace training. Ask a reward-based trainer to help you fit and use one appropriately.
Avoid check chains, prong collars and sharp lead corrections. If your dog suddenly resists walking, limps, appears painful, or is frightened on walks, speak with a veterinarian rather than assuming it is simply a training problem.
Progress may be gradual. A few calm, successful steps in an easy environment are a useful starting point; build towards busier walks only when your dog can manage the simpler ones.
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