Many dogs pull because pulling works. It gets them to smells, people, dogs, grass, and motion. Training changes that pattern by making a slack leash more rewarding and predictable.
Reward the position you want
Start in a quiet place. Stand still, wait for the leash to soften, mark that moment, and reward near your leg. Take one step. If your dog stays with you, mark and reward again. At first, you may reward every step or two. That is normal.
Reward placement teaches geography. If treats always appear in front of your knees, your dog learns that being near you is valuable. If treats appear after pulling you to a smell, pulling stays valuable.
Use tiny walking drills
- One-step reset: take one step, click or mark the moment the leash goes slack, then reward by your leg.
- U-turn game: turn before the leash tightens, then reward your dog for catching up.
- Sniff release: reward a few good steps with permission to sniff a safe spot.
- Distraction distance: move farther away until your dog can think again.
Create a short leash lesson in the Daily Path, then note the location and biggest distraction after the walk.
Let your journal reveal the pattern
Loose leash progress depends heavily on environment. A dog may walk beautifully on a quiet block and struggle near a school, park, or another dog. Use GoodBoy journal notes to track where pulling happens, what reward worked, and how long your dog stayed connected.
When you see the pattern, you can train at the right difficulty instead of hoping the next walk goes better.
FAQ
Should I stop every time my dog pulls?
Stopping can help, but it works best when paired with rewarding slack-leash movement and practicing before the leash gets tight.
Can sniffing be a reward?
Yes. For many dogs, sniffing is powerful. Use a few steps of loose leash walking to earn access to a safe sniff spot.