The Number One Rule Of Leash Pulling

There are many factors that influence leash pulling. When I’m helping a client to stop their dog from pulling on the leash, I break it down into steps and layer each step over the top of the next.

We work on:

• How to hold the leash in the best way.

• The timing of rewards.

• When to change direction.

• How to respond if the dog pulls.

But above all, there is one golden rule that makes or breaks your leash training.

I repeat this line all the time because it’s that important. Ready? Here it is:

If your dog pulls and you follow them - even for one step - they learn one thing: pulling works.

From the dog’s point of view, it’s simple:

• “If I want to get somewhere, I pull.”

• “Pulling gets me what I want.”

• “It’s worth it.”

Their pulling is being rewarded by forward movement (or whichever direction they’re trying to go). And because behaviour that’s rewarded gets repeated, pulling sticks.

Here’s what I often see in lessons:

We’re chatting while standing still. The dog gets impatient or distracted by a smell and starts to pull. Without even realising it, the owner does one of two things:

• Reaches their hand forward to give the dog more leash.

• Takes a few small steps to let the dog go where they want.

It doesn’t seem like much in the moment, but the dog just learned that pulling works. And every time that happens, the habit gets stronger.

This is why the number one rule is so simple - never follow a tight leash.

You need to change your dog’s belief system from:

• “Pulling gets me places.”
  to

• “Pulling never works. A loose leash does.”

Once that shift happens, walking your dog becomes so much easier.

I won’t sugarcoat it - the early stages of this can feel frustrating. Stopping and waiting might make progress feel slow at first.

But remember: dog training teaches patience as much as it teaches skills. Stick with it, and you’ll see the difference.

Leash skills are just one part of raising a calm, well-behaved dog. Inside the Dog Matters Academy, you’ll find step-by-step training resources to help with walking, behaviour issues, puppy training, and more.

👉 Join today and make your walks more enjoyable for both you and your dog.