When you’re training your puppy to go on walks with the lead, the aim is for it to be a fun and hassle-free experience - after all, you’ll be doing this every day for a long time! As with all things puppy, the beginning stages of walks can be challenging. Puppies don’t naturally walk on a lead, and there’s a process involved in getting them to walk steadily and calmly without lunging at distractions or pulling you along down the street.
After reading this article, you’ll be clued up on how to stop your puppy pulling on a lead - and soon you’ll be striding down the street together with grace and ease.
Why do puppies pull on the lead?
Aside from sheer excitement (the world is big and full of wonder for a puppy!), there are a few reasons puppies pull on the lead during a walk. These include…
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Because you’ve let them pull before. If you’ve been on a few walks already where your pup has pulled on the lead, and you’ve responded by walking faster or running to keep up with them, they have learnt that pulling gets the desired result.
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Instinctual behaviours. Lots of dog breeds are genetically built for pulling things along - bigger breeds such as Huskies, Saint Bernards or Rottweilers, for instance. Often there’s also a protective instinct, and before being trained otherwise, some puppies will naturally take the lead by charging on ahead.
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Excess energy. Dogs never have more energy than in the puppy stage, and you’ll have a fluffy ball of excitement. Much of the time, pulling and running ahead during walks is down to your pup feeling buzzed at the freedom of being outside.
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Anxiety. Anxious puppies who aren’t sure of their surroundings or other dogs will pull you to get away from a situation. Anxiety can manifest as lunging on the lead and/or being otherwise hard to control.
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Habits from retractable lead. If you’ve spent time with your puppy on a retractable lead (at home for instance) they will already feel that if they pull on the lead, they’ll get ahead. Once outside, they will need retraining on how to walk with you.
Training your puppy not to pull on the lead
It’s easy enough to get started with lead-training your pup. Firstly, make sure you have the right gear:
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The right collar. A decent collar shouldn’t be too tight or too loose, and a flat collar is best.
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A harness. To avoid pulling too harshly on a dog’s neck, lots of dog owners use harnesses. A nicely fitted harness will go around the dog’s torso with an attachment for a lead, so that when you have to pull your dog, there isn’t any strain on their neck muscles. For certain breeds, especially Pugs and Frenchies, a harness is a must.
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A non-retractable lead. To teach your pup to walk alongside you, trainers recommend using a non-retractable lead. This way, your pup won’t associate pulling with getting further ahead of their owner. If you prefer a retractable lead, you’ll need to keep it on a short, locked setting at all times during lead-training.
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Nutritious puppy treats. Your puppy will need lots of positive reinforcement when they get the knack of lead-walking - be sure to have a pocketful of healthy, grain-free puppy treats on hand to reward them.
Lead training techniques for puppies
Here are some tips and tricks for lead training with a puppy. The key is to keep consistency and remain patient.
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Start at home. The crux of lead-training is getting your puppy to stay by your side without pulling them back. You can start this habit at home, in the garden or walking around a room, without a lead. Less distractions makes it easier for your pup to focus on what you want from them. With basic commands, reward them each time they come to your side. Over time, introduce movement, so that they’ll learn that walking alongside you is something they’ll be rewarded for.
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On walks, stop whenever the lead tightens. When you take this exercise outside, be sure they’re on a lead that won’t extend, and keep them close to your side, with the lead slightly slackened. Each time they pull ahead and the lead tightens, stop walking. This is generally called the ‘loose lead technique’. Keep doing this until they learn to walk alongside you at your pace.
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Use basic commands. Keep it simple with your commands - things like ‘heel’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’. If your puppy lunges towards other dogs or distractions, firmly say ‘leave it’ or ‘no’ and remind them to stay next to you. Simplicity is key to get them to understand the right behaviour on a walk.
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Be patient and consistent. It could take a lot of tries to get this habit to stick, and stopping and starting will mean walks take a while at first, without going much distance. Be consistent with your pooch and patient with them until they get it right over and over.
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Always use positive reinforcement. Don’t use punishment or a negative tone if your dog doesn’t get it right a few times, or they’ll associate lead-training with being afraid or told off. Praise your pooch lots, and dispense healthy puppy treats to give them a reward each time they stay walking alongside you. It might take a bunch of treats at first to drive home the message, then over time you can give them out less often.
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Establish a routine. Get your pooch used to having their harness and lead put on, and bring treats with you each time. Once your pup gets used to walks and what they entail, ideally they’ll begin to behave calmly without pulling on the lead every time you go out together.
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Set realistic goals. This training will take time, and each puppy has their own demeanour and personality which will affect their walking style. Don’t be too hard on yourself or your pooch if it takes a while for them to behave on walks. Start with a short walk in an easy environment, and as your puppy becomes better at walking, introduce new challenges - more distractions, busier environments and different weathers. If they still pull from time to time, or dart towards a distraction (like a squirrel) don’t see it as a failure - this is all completely normal doggo behaviour. Stay consistent and try again.
Common scenarios when puppy lead-training
While lead-training with your fuzzy pup, there might be some scenarios that occur over and over again, usually due to sudden distractions. Here are some common puppy behaviours and how to respond to them…
My puppy keeps lunging forward on the lead
Puppies on their first walks outside face a lot of distractions - frisbees, other dogs, toddlers, cyclists - and they’ll lunge at things often. Be consistent by stopping walking each time they lunge at a distraction, using simple commands like ‘stop’ ‘heel’ and ‘stay’. Be patient and keep doing this each time they lurch forward, even if it takes a while for changes to take effect. Ideally, pre-empt these lunges.
So, if you see a dog on the other side of the road, ask for your puppy’s attention, with a command such as ‘watch me’. Keep their attention, offering treats and praise, until the other dog has gone by. Over time, your pup’s reaction to a distraction will be to look at you, rather than lunge at the person, bike or dog coming their way.
My puppy barks a lot on walks
If your pup barks a lot at certain times, start building a mental list of triggers. Is it large dogs, motorbikes, or groups of children that set them off? Once you know when they might bark, you can build up their tolerance by exposing them more often to these things. Start by gradually, calmly, approaching the trigger from a distance, and encouraging your dog with a positive tone. The quieter and calmer they stay, you can reward them with a treat. Initially, stick to quiet routes, so your pup isn’t over-stimulated and they can build up confidence. If barking too often is causing you distress on walks, chat it over with your vet or a behavioural expert.
FAQs
Do puppies grow out of pulling on the lead?
Unless they’re trained out of it, puppies won’t typically grow out of pulling you along on the lead, and will continue to do it into adulthood if you aren’t consistent with loose-lead training. To ensure your walks are enjoyable and stress-free throughout your dog’s life, it’s best practice to train them when young to behave properly when out on a walk.
What is the number one trick to stop your puppy from pulling on the leash?
The most common and effective way to teach your puppy to stop pulling you along on the lead is the ‘loose lead’ method. This simply entails stopping walking each time the lead tightens, and rewarding your dog when they walk alongside you with the lead falling loose. Be consistent and patient, and your puppy will soon learn not to lurch forward when out on walks.
What if I need to walk my puppy quickly?
Life can be hectic, and sometimes you’ll want to just take your pooch out quickly without committing to the loose lead technique. It’s ok to occasionally let your pup pull on the lead so you can exercise them around your schedule. You could have two different leads or harnesses, so your puppy associates a certain harness with training, and another with a fast walk. However, be aware that the lead-training won’t be as effective over time if you do this often. Try to be consistent as much as you can.
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