Why the dog pulls on the leash: what to know

Imagine a walk in the park with your dog: the sun filtering through the trees, the fresh air, the joy of sharing special moments. But if your loyal companion pulls on the leash, your time together can quickly turn into a source of stress for both of you. Whether it’s a curious puppy or an adult dog accustomed to doing so, with patience, consistency, and the right techniques, this behavior can be improved. Let’s explore how.

Puppy: Why Does It Pull on the Leash?

Curious, full of energy, and always exploring the world, puppies experience every walk as an exciting adventure. The habit of pulling on the leash can develop from an early age: the desire to explore often drives puppies to move in all directions, sometimes uncontrollably, pulling on the leash to reach what has caught their attention. Added to this are the external stimuli: the passing of a person, another approaching dog, or an irresistible smell can distract them, leading them to pull in order to get closer or move away quickly.

Another factor could be the lack of proper and effective training. If, from the very first walks, the puppy hasn’t learned to walk calmly, but sees pulling as an acceptable behavior (and often an effective way to reach their goal), they will continue to do so even as an adult. This is why it’s essential to teach some basic rules from the start, as explained in our article puppy training basics.

How to Teach a Puppy to Walk Without Pulling

Leash training your puppy requires patience and consistency. Here are a few techniques you can adopt:

1. Gradually accustom your puppy to the leash by choosing a model that allows them to move naturally, without losing contact with you. For a puppy, wearing a leash for the first time can feel strange. A great trick is to let them wear it indoors while playing or receiving treats. This way, they will associate the leash with a positive experience and won’t perceive it as a limit to their freedom.
2. Reinforce correct behaviors using snacks as positive reinforcement. This will help them understand that staying close to you leads to a reward, while pulling does not help them move faster.
3. Stop every time they pull—this is an effective exercise and a clear message: pulling gets them nowhere. Wait for them to calm down and then continue walking. In no time, they will understand that to move forward, they need to stay by your side.
4. Capture their attention to prevent distractions during the walk. Use a calm voice, a small treat hidden in the hand that’s not holding the leash, and eye contact to keep them focused on you. This will help them see you as their point of reference while walking.

Why Does an Adult Dog Pull on the Leash?

If an adult dog pulls on the leash, the behavior is more ingrained and may be harder to correct than with a puppy. But difficult doesn’t mean impossible. Often, the primary cause is simply a solidified habit. If they’ve always pulled as a puppy, they will continue to do so because it’s the only way they know how to move during the walk.
Another important factor is excess energy. A dog that doesn't have enough opportunities to release energy, run, or play will approach the walk with much more “enthusiasm,” and the leash will become just an obstacle between them and fun.

In other cases, pulling on the leash is related to fear and discomfort or their predatory instinct. In the first case, the dog may quicken their pace to move away from a situation that makes them uneasy. In the second, they may have spotted something that intrigued them and be drawn toward the source of their interest. In both cases, understanding their behavior is essential to help them properly, perhaps giving them time to adjust to stimuli (negative or positive) without forcing them.

Finally, there is the competition with other dogs. For some, the walk is an opportunity to mark territory, meet other dogs, or even challenge others from a distance. If your dog gets agitated when they see another, they may pull to reach them and assert their presence, whether to socialize, play, or claim their space.

What to Do If Your Adult Dog Pulls on the Leash?

If your adult dog pulls on the leash, with the right techniques and some consistency, it is still possible to improve the situation and make walks more relaxing. The key is to turn this moment into an opportunity for learning and connection, without tension or pulling.

1. Keeping their attention on you is crucial. Allow your dog time to stop and sniff around, and support their curiosity, especially right after leaving the house, when they’re more excited. If they keep pulling, try to keep them closer to you and gradually give them more space between you. Stop when their strength becomes excessive, and calmly refocus their attention on you. You can use the treat-in-hand technique to let them sniff the reward. Don’t yank the leash or raise your voice—it will only increase their agitation.
2. Use positive reinforcement. Just like with a puppy, every time your dog looks at you spontaneously or walks calmly on the leash, reward them with a snack or a gentle pet: they’ll learn that staying near you is more rewarding than pulling.
3. Proper leash management is essential: if the leash is always tense, the dog will subconsciously feel restrained and may react by pulling even more. Try to keep the leash soft and relaxed as much as possible, conveying calmness. Even when the dog is calm, don’t get distracted by your phone, but continue to focus on them. The walk should be a moment just for you two.
4. Let the energy out before the walk. If your dog has too much built-up energy, they will struggle to hold back and tend to pull to speed up. Playing for a few minutes before going out can help them relax and approach the walk with a calmer mindset. If possible, let your dog walk and socialize freely in dog parks or safe areas where they can run off-leash.

 
To explore more methods for managing an adult dog, read our article "Training an Adult Dog: Three Recommended Exercises.”