How to Stop a Dog from Pulling on Its Leash

Co-authored by John Donovan

Last Updated: February 19, 2024 Approved

When taking a dog for a walk, you should guide the path of the dog— not vice versa. Besides being a minor embarrassment for their human owner, a dog who incessantly pulls at their leash can represent a safety risk to themself and others. For example, such a dog may come free of their harness, at which point the owner may have no way to keep them from running into a dangerous area, like a street. Because of this, learning how to keep a dog under control while on a leash is a wise decision for nearly all dog owners.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using the "Be a Tree" Method

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1
Use a proper collar. Be sure that your dog has a comfortable collar that fits properly. The collar shouldn’t be so tight that it is choking the dog, but should be tight enough so that it does not slide up and down the dog’s neck.^{[1]
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- You should be able to slide your hand between the dog’s neck and collar when it is secured in place.
- Many people choose to use a harness instead of a collar. The harness disperses the pressure to the dog's back rather than their neck. This will allow you to train your dog to walk on a leash without having to rely on the choking feeling the dog gets when pulling at their leash.
When using this method for training your dog not to pull, make sure you do not use a retractable leash. This will defeat the entire purpose of the exercise. Use a standard chain or cloth leash.^{[2]
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3
Stop and stand still. Whenever your dog pulls, stop and stand still (be a tree). No matter how hard your dog pulls, don't let them go in the direction they want to go. The reason for this is that if the dog pulls, and you follow them, the dog learns that pulling is a very effective way to get somewhere.^{[3]
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- It might help to attach the leash to your belt loop using a carabiner. This prevents the dog from getting ahead. It's also far easier to stand still with your hips being pulled rather than your arm.
4
Wait for the dog to respond. Wait until the dog does anything that loosens the leash. The dog might stop pulling by leaning back, sitting, or changing direction. As soon as the leash loosens, you can start walking again.^{[4]
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- You can encourage the dog to loosen the leash by calling them back to you.
5
Repeat for the duration of the walk. This method requires a lot of patience! You're trying to teach the dog that pulling gets them nowhere. You have to be consistent and timely.^{[5]
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- A variation of this method is to walk in the opposite direction whenever your dog pulls.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Clicker Training Method

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Do some basic clicker training. In order for this method to be effective, you need your dog to respond to the clicker. Every time the dog obeys a command, click the clicker and give them a treat.^{[6]
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- Be consistent with the clicker so that your dog associates the sound with treats.
On the walk, stay ahead of your dog at all times. This will ensure that the dog learns to follow you rather than the other way around.^{[7]
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3
Click and drop a treat. As the dog catches up to you, click the clicker and drop a treat on the ground before the dog passes you. If the dog does not immediately respond to the clicker, give them a verbal command to stop. If the dog responds, click and drop a treat.^{[8]
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- If the dog does not stop upon your command, do not give them a treat. This will ensure the dog does not associate negative behaviors with treats or the clicker.
Keep repeating this process on your walk. This exercise will train the dog to pay attention to you. Moreover, it will ensure that they learn to stay next to or behind you when walking on a leash.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Utilizing Alternative Methods

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The lease attaches to straps around the dog's muzzle so that when the dog pulls, their head will be forced around, facing you. Attaching the leash to the dog's muzzle automatically redirects their focus toward you.
2
Use a choke collar. When training your dog, try using a slip or choke collar under the supervision of a trained expert. These collars will tighten around the dog’s neck if they pull on the leash, effectively choking them. Using these collars for training will help your dog associate pulling with being choked.
- While these collars can effective for training a dog, many experts argue that they are dangerous or unnecessary. It is recommended that you never use a choke collar unless under the direct supervision of a licensed animal behaviorist.^{[9]
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- These collars work by using negative reinforcement. Most dog training experts suggest that your dog will respond better to positive reinforcement than negative reinforcement- so keep that in mind when considering using this training tool.
- These collars are for training only. Never leave this collar on your dog or use it as a substitute for their regular collar.
- These collars are controversial, so consider the arguments for or against choke collars before trying this method.
3
Try a halti dog harness. These harnesses attach to the dog's collar with a clip and are fastened across the dog's underbelly.
- It works through attaching your leash to the front chest strap, which means you will gain more control over your dog. When your dog pulls on their leash, they will be guided back towards you, naturally and gently discouraging them from pulling.
- The leash attachment at the chest prevents putting any pressure on your dog’s throat and neck, which is especially important as this could cause tracheal damage.
4
Wear the dog out. Run the dog to tire them out before attaching the leash and going for a walk. A tired dog is far more manageable and will be more responsive to your commands during the walk.^{[10]
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- Try playing fetch in the yard for 10 minutes before going on a walk.
End training sessions on a happy success moment. Don't end it when your dog is messing up. Success is continuing to make progress. Never allow the dog to remain unhappy at the end of your training session. ^{[11]
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Question

In practice, standing still is impossible with an 85-pound dog pulling me. What can I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

In a straight battle of power, you're not going to win, so concentrate on training. Get your dog listening to you with several short training sessions a day. Work on "Heel" off the lead in your home. Find a super tasty treat and show it to the dog. Only give it when the dog sits (don't tell the dog what you want, have him work it out, however long that takes). Once he regularly sits without being asked, take a couple of steps and then stop. Most dogs tag along and then sit. Keep adding in more steps and stop before he jumps ahead. Now add the cue word "Heel".

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Question

Can you hurt your dog by pulling on the leash?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes, especially if the dog is on a collar. It's all too easy to compress the windpipe and cause breathing problems. This is why sympathetic training that teaches the dog to stop and slow down is so important.

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Question

How can I get my dog to stop pulling on his lead?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This takes time and patience. Stopping when the dog pulls, and only advancing when the leash is slack, is one method. Be prepared to take a long time to get anywhere on a walk.

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Tips

If you have not done so already, teach your dog the "heel" command (to follow at one's heels on that command). This will make it easier for the dog to understand that pulling causes choking, but following does not.

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Praise is important at all stages of the training.

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Don't rely on the equipment. Practice without equipment inside and outside in an enclosed space before you use a harness and long leash outside to practice.

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Warnings

Do not leave a choke collar on your pet unsupervised. It's easy for a dog to become entangled and even strangled with a loose collar on.

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Don't overdo training. Keep early training sessions to 30 minutes or less. Don't "punish" your dog with yelling, hitting or excessive tugging or pulling. This out-of-control behavior shows them you don't value being in control and it can make them pull even more.

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Do not use choke collars or pinch collars without first being properly instructed (by a dog trainer, behaviorist or vet) about how to use these training tools properly.

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