If you’ve ever found yourself dragged down the street by your dog, clutching your coffee in one hand and the lead in the other, wondering who’s walking who, it might be some comfort to know you’re not alone.

Lead pulling is one of the most common frustrations for dog owners. It’s also one of the behaviours I get asked about most often as a dog trainer. So let’s unpack it: Why does your dog pull on the lead? What can you do about it? And how can you get back to actually enjoying your walks again?

Let’s dig in (not literally. We’ll leave that to the Terriers).

Why Do Dogs Pull on the Lead?

1. Because Loose Lead Walking Isn’t Natural

Here’s the thing: dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk nicely on a lead. In fact, from their perspective, walking at a human pace in a straight-ish line is pretty weird.

Dogs want to sniff, explore, chase, and move at a pace that’s often far faster than ours. When you attach a lead, you’re limiting their natural movement, and their instinct is to push against that limit. Pulling just becomes part of how they walk (for those who want the technical term, this is called opposition reflex).

So no, your dog isn’t trying to annoy you or take control of the walk. They’re just being a dog.

2. Because It Works

Dogs are creatures of habit and reinforcement. If your dog pulls toward a tree, and they reach it? They’ve just been rewarded. If they drag you to greet another dog, and it happens? Boom. Reinforced again.

Even if you’re sighing, eye-rolling, or muttering under your breath, your dog has learned that pulling = progress. And that’s why it keeps happening.

Common Misconceptions About Lead Pulling

Let’s bust a few myths while we’re here:

“My dog is being dominant.”

Nope. Hush your mouth Cesar Milan! Dogs don’t pull on the lead to assert dominance over you. That whole idea is so totally outdated and doesn’t reflect in any way what modern canine science tells us. Most pulling is down to excitement, arousal, or learned behaviour, not a power grab. So next time that annoying bloke in the park with the out-of-control Boxer tries to preach this to you, you have my permission to put him right!

“It’s just their breed. You can’t train that.”

From my experience as a dog trainer, I have noticed (anecdotally) that some breeds are more prone to pulling. Think working dogs like Spaniels, Labradors, and Huskies. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be taught to walk nicely; it just means they need the right support and training to get there.

Other Factors That Affect Lead Pulling

Age and Development Stage

Puppies are still figuring out the world. Think a hyped up toddler at their first time at soft play. Their attention span is basically non-existent, and everything is new and exciting. Pulling is par for the course, or at least at first. But without guidance, it’ll stick around into adulthood.

Teenage dogs (yep, they go through that too) are full of beans and short on impulse control. You might see pulling increase during adolescence, even if they used to walk nicely. Totally normal, but totally fixable.

Mental Stimulation and Exercise

If your dog isn’t getting enough mental and physical stimulation elsewhere, the walk becomes the only exciting part of their day. And guess what? That energy comes out in over-excitement, pulling, and frustration.

Loose lead walking is much easier when your dog’s needs are being met overall. Training, enrichment, and play all help take the edge off before you even clip the lead on.

Why Pulling Isn’t Just Annoying. It’s Risky

We joke about being dragged down the street, but lead pulling can be dangerous.

If your dog lunges suddenly, it can lead to injury (for them or you).
Constant pressure on their neck can cause long-term physical damage, especially with slip leads, flat collars or choke chains (PLEASE, in the name of science and ethics – do not use choke chains/prong collars/slip leads/e-colars or anything else that causes pain).
It turns walks into a stressful experience, rather than the relaxing, bonding time it should be.

That’s why teaching your dog to walk nicely on the lead isn’t just about making life easier. It’s about making walks safe and enjoyable for both of you.

How to Stop Your Dog Pulling on the Lead

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. Here’s what really helps:

1. Choose the Right Equipment

While tools alone won’t fix the problem, the right setup can make a huge difference.

Well-fitted harnesses I personally prefer to walk my dogs on a harness (as opposed to a collar) because there is no pressure on the neck (Psst: well fitting means a harness that does not tighten as they pull).
Leads with some length (but not retractable!) give your dog room to move without encouraging them to charge ahead. Wherever possible, you should allow your dog to have the full length of that lead.
Ditch anything aversive, like choke or prong collars. Sure, they might suppress behaviour short-term, but they are not actually teaching your dog what you want them to do, plus they cause pain, confusion, and often make pulling worse in the long run. Using these devices can have much wider negative effects on your dog than you may realise. Science, kindness and ethics matter.

2. Reward What You Want to See

Dogs can be quick to catch on, and they learn through repetition and reward. When they walk nicely, reward them! That might be treats, praise, a toy, or letting them sniff their favourite bush. Mark those moments clearly and often, especially early on.

3. Be Consistent

This one’s hard, I know. But consistency is key. If sometimes you let them pull (because you’re in a rush), and other times you stop every two seconds, your dog won’t understand the rules.

Short, focused training walks are great for building the skill, separate from your daily loo-break strolls.

4. Get Professional Support

This is where I come in.

At Barker and Hound Dog Training, I offer a Loose Lead Walking programme that’s tailored to your dog, your lifestyle, and your goals. Whether you’ve got a teeny Terrier or a boisterous Labrador, I’ll help you:

Understand why your dog is pulling
Teach them what to do instead
Build attention and connection in real-world environments
And turn your walks into something you look forward to, not dread

I use kind, effective, reward-based methods, and I’ll never tell you to yank, shout, or encourage you to “be more alpha.” That’s not how we do things here.

You Don’t Have to Be Dragged Along Anymore

Your dog pulling on the lead isn’t a reflection of your failure. It’s just a behaviour that hasn’t been taught yet.

With the right approach, your dog can absolutely learn to walk nicely. It might take time, practice, and a pocket full of treats, but it’s doable, and the difference it makes is massive.

Imagine walking through the park with a relaxed lead, no tension in your shoulder, no embarrassment every time you pass another dog walker. It’s not a fantasy. It’s just a few steps (and snacks) away.

Ready to start your Loose Lead journey?

I’d love to help. You can find all the details of my Loose Lead Walking programme right here:
👉 https://barkerandhounddogtraining.com/loose-lead

Whether you need 1-to-1 support, or just some practical tips to get going, I’ve got you covered.

Let’s make walks fun again – for you and your dog.

Best wishes,

Sarah-Jane x

Why Does My Dog Pull on the Lead?