How to stop a puppy pulling on the lead (step by step)

How-to: stop your dog pulling on the lead

Advice by Lindsay Arliss, Dog behaviour and training specialist

1

Start in a quiet, calm area. If it’s safe, have your dog off lead to start with as they’ll be less likely to pull when the lead is reintroduced. With your lead in one hand and treats in the other, guide your dog close to your leg. The lead should hang loosely across your body.

2

Take two steps forward, showing your dog the treats, say “yes!” and give them a treat when they follow. Repeat five to six times. Next, hold the treats by your side, and encourage them with praise, then repeat again.

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If you have difficulty bending down to your dog’s level, just drop treats at your heel instead!

3

Now hold your treats to your chest or stop altogether and repeat five to six times to help your dog understand.

4

Once your dog can follow you for two steps before getting their treat, take one extra step each time before rewarding them. Build up to doing a lap of the garden or 30-second walk with only one treat! 

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Avoid telling your dog off if they pull. Just start again from two steps, and build back up to where you were. This helps reset them and reminds your dog it’s really worth staying nearby!

5

Practise in different places, with different distractions. Train for short periods on quieter parts of your walk. The gradually extend loose-lead walking time until your dog walks nicely the entire time.

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If you don’t want to lose progress in your training, attach your dog’s lead to their collar when practising loose-lead walking and to their harness when they have ‘free-time’. This way, they won’t hurt their neck if they pull on their harness, and you’ll help them understand when they should walk nicely.

6

Next: Train your dog with short video lessons by Woodgreen's experts.

More information

Make sure your dog’s harness fits well and isn’t ripped or frayed. The lead should be 1.5-2m long and allow your dog to sniff without tugging. 

Speed up your walking pace during training sessions, particularly at the beginning. 

Avoid using an extendable lead until your dog has learned to walk politely on a normal lead.

What your dog might be feeling

Walking slowly is hard work! I want to race off to that interesting smell and explore my surroundings. It’s hard for us young dogs to control ourselves, so a little patience goes a long way.

Three things you can do today

Don't delay, start today!

You can begin training right away, equip yourself with some tasty treats and off you go!

Check you have everything first

Have you got the right equipment? A fixed size collar and harness and a decent length lead will do. We don't recommend any equipment that hurts or causes discomfort. 

Get more support

We have plenty more advice about this subject on our website or check us out on YouTube to see the training in action.

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Hear from other humans

Carla

📍 Wales
  • Dog breed: Corgi
  • Dog age: 3 years
  • Owner expertise:

I was struggling with my dog's anxiety, especially when we had to leave the house. Thanks to Woodgreen's advice, I've made some changes that have worked wonders. By sticking to a consistent routine, my dog knows what to expect each day, which has significantly reduced her anxiety.

Sarah

📍 Sussex
  • Dog breed: Cavapoo
  • Dog age: 1 years
  • Owner expertise:

This advice really helped me and my new pup! I tried teaching recall without your guidance and struggled. Woodgreen's step-by-step dog training videos break each action down for you and I'm happy to say we finally made progress!

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