Why Dogs Pull on Leash? (And What You Can Do About It!)

A person with white sneakers walks two dogs, a beagle and a bulldog, on a sunny day along a paved path.

Leash pulling is one of the most common struggles dog guardians face. It can feel frustrating, stressful, and downright uncomfortable to have your arm yanked out of its socket while your dog charges ahead. But here’s the truth: walking nicely on leash is really hard for dogs.

Let’s explore why — and how we can make it easier for both ends of the leash.

Loose Leash Walking Is Unnatural

To us, walking side by side at a steady pace seems simple. But to your dog, it’s anything but.

Most dogs:

• Naturally walk faster than humans

• Want to reach interesting things — like a smell, a squirrel, or a dog across the street

• Prefer to zig-zag and explore, not march in a straight line

  
  

In short: we’re asking dogs to suppress a lot of totally normal, healthy behaviours when we ask them to walk “nicely.” So it’s no wonder they struggle.

These Behaviours Aren’t Bad — They’re Vital

Sniffing, exploring, social interaction, even a bit of chasing — these aren’t just fun activities. They’re essential for your dog’s wellbeing. Think of them as canine enrichment in action.

That means when we teach leash walking, we need to consider both ends of the leash. Your needs matter. So do your dog’s.

So What Can You Do?

The key is building loose leash walking skills gradually and with empathy.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Lay solid foundations

    Before you even head out the front door, your dog needs to understand what behaviour earns rewards. That starts in calm, low-distraction spaces where learning can really stick.

   
   

2. Train one step at a time

    Literally. Don’t expect a 30-minute perfect walk right away. Build duration slowly, and celebrate the small wins.

   
   

3. Use what your dog values as reinforcement

    Want your dog to walk nicely? Let them sniff. Give them freedom when the leash is loose. Use movement and exploration as rewards for the behaviour you want to see.

4. Meet your dog’s needs fully

   And don’t forget yours! Walking should feel good for both of you. If you’re overwhelmed or stressed, your dog will feel it too.

   
   

It’s OK to Ask for Help!

If your walks feel more like a battle than a bond, you’re not alone - and you don’t have to figure it out solo.

I help dog guardians like you build relaxed, connected walks using positive reinforcement, that allows your dog to still be a dog, and with compassion for both ends of the leash.

Book a FREE Discovery Call to learn more and see if we’re a good fit to work together!