Why your dog pulls on leash - and what are you missing
Walking your dog should be relaxing—not a tug-of-war match. But for many dog owners, leash pulling is one of the most frustrating parts of daily life.
So why does it happen? And why doesn’t it stop, even after trying different collars, harnesses, or endless “heel” commands?
Let’s break it down.
Most dogs walk at least twice as fast as their human companions so it can be a really difficult and uneven match. Pulling on the leash isn’t just bad behaviour—it’s your dog reacting to stimulation and leading the walk instead of following. This behaviour is self-reinforcing to the dog, meaning the more your dog pulls, the more they get what they want: movement, smells, or interaction. And when you pull back? That turns the walk into a tug-of-war.
This triggers what's called the “opposition reflex”—a biological response where the body instinctively pulls in the opposite direction to maintain balance. Try it yourself: if someone tugs your arm, your body naturally resists by pulling back.
One of the most common mistakes people make during leash training is trying to correct their dog after the leash is already tight and the dog is in motion. They often say commands like “No” or “Heel” while simultaneously pulling the dog back. But from the dog’s perspective, this creates confusion. The dog begins to associate your verbal cue (like “Heel”) with being yanked backward, rather than learning what the command actually means — to walk calmly by your side. As a result, "Heel" loses its intended meaning and simply becomes associated with tension or discomfort.
Another frequent mistake involves leash length. When you're training your dog, you want to set them up for success — and leash length plays a big role in that. A longer lead gives your dog more space and freedom, which can actually reduce pulling because the dog doesn’t feel as restricted. A short, tight leash can create tension that encourages pulling, while a looser, longer leash allows for more relaxed, successful training sessions.
Loose leash walking — like any training — should begin at home. That’s when it’s easiest for your dog to learn that staying close to your side is rewarding, and you can really lay the foundation for consistent behaviour.
And here’s the game changer: set the tone before you leave the house. Practice calmness. Don’t let your dog bolt out the door with excitement — instead, reinforce a calm, focused mindset from the very start. A calm departure leads to a calmer, more relaxed walk.
