The Secret to Civilised Walkies
Let's cut to the chase: why do dogs pull on the lead? The answer is surprisingly simple. Your pup pulls because they're absorbed in their own fascinating world, barely paying attention to you. Only when your dog is focused on you and what you're doing on your walk will they match your walking pace. So, how do you do it? Read our tips on how to make your dog walks look less like a sled dog struggle, and more like a confident, controlled cruise.
Mastering Walkies
What does perfect dog walking look like? While there are many approaches to lead training, teaching your pooch to walk beside you provides the most control and helps them stay more focused on your cues. But it all comes down to two things:
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The type of lead you're rocking
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The length of the lead
Lead Type
If you want your pup to consistently walk beside you, throw away the retractable lead—or put it in a cupboard for an extended break! Suppose your dog is used to free roaming on their retractable lead. In that case, they will be a repeat offender for pulling because they know the lead can get longer, and can pull until you give in.
Teaching your dog not to pull is playing the long game, so don't introduce your pup to retractable leads until they've mastered the basics. Freedom comes after the footwork!
Tip: Be consistent with your training and the type of lead you use. Don't confuse your pup, or they'll think it's a game of 'Guess the Rules Today.'
Lead Length
You want to be on the lookout for leads with adjustable length. These leads typically have two different D-ring attachment points, so you can choose to have a longer, looser lead by clipping to the top D-ring. Alternatively, clipping to the furthest D-ring can have a much shorter lead length. While your pup is learning the ropes of walking beside you, we recommend you use the shorter lead length for greater control, and later give them more freedom when they can 'walk the walk'.
Tip: Be conscious of lead tension. If you've got a nervous, tight grip on the lead, your dog can feel it, too, which can have the opposite effect on what's meant to be a calm and controlled walk.
Check it out: Our leads come in two different strap widths. A standard 2cm width, and a smaller 1.25cm width for pups who need to keep up their fashionable rep.
Harness the Power
Okay, now you've got your pup on a shorter, more controlled lead beside you, so why are they still pulling?! Don't panic, that's normal. Teaching your pup to walk calmly beside you will take time (and a lot of treats). But let's face it: you don't have the time or patience to perform lead n' treat training daily, so let's fast-track the process.
What you need is a comfy, adjustable dog harness with a no-pull front D-ring design. Keep your lead on its shortest length, but instead of clipping it to your bestie's collar (AKA the "drag me" setting), clip it to the front D-ring of their harness. Suddenly, your pup's sled-dog dreams are over. It becomes virtually impossible for your pup to get ahead. It's like skipping weeks of training and unlocking cheat mode for walking like a civilised, posh pair!
Also check out our top 3 reasons why you need a dog harness and how to get your puppy used to a harness.
Lead Manners 101
Level 1 Pulling
Your pup WILL pull while you're teaching them to walk beside you, so how do you tell them that dragging you down the street isn't part of the plan? The most gentle correction is a light tug on the lead when they start pulling. Their harness will safely distribute this pressure across their body, so no harm will come to their neck, while still reminding them that they need to chill out.
You must initiate the tug ASAP after they start pulling, so they know you are correcting their lead manners. If you wait a few seconds to correct their pulling, and then tug, your pooch probably won't know what their human is on about. Remember, the success of dog training lies in the timing!
Tip: When your pup walks perfectly beside you, pay up! Hand over a high-value treat—the really good stuff—so they know that A+ walkies get A+ snacks.
Level 2 Pulling
But let's say your pup is a SERIOUS puller. You'll need to step up your correction game. When they start to pull, immediately start walking in the opposite direction for a meter, then turn and resume your walk the way you were heading. This makes your pup do a whole corrective spin on the spot, which achieves two things: they need to stick close and pay attention to you. Instantly, you are back in charge of the walk. Forget what it looks like to others—do the corrective spin as often as needed on a walk.
Tip: You can take this to the next level by introducing focus commands like "look at me" to catch their attention if they're too distracted. Practice this at home before hitting the streets.
Level 3 Pulling
You must bring out the big guns if these two correction strategies don't work. When they start to pull, give that little tug and stop walking. Stand still. Look at them. They'll likely look at you like you've lost your mind. Wait a few seconds and then resume your walk. This will let your pup know that you're having none of that pulling behaviour, and that if they pull, wakies end. No funny business.
Your Turn
Now that you've got your essential guide to stopping lead pulling, it's time to put it into action. Training might get messy—and some days may feel downright hopeless—but stick with it. Trust your pup, the training process, and the power of treats. With patience and consistency, you'll both be strutting down the street like stars of the block, with your neighbours asking YOU how they should train their dog!