Leash Pulling: Life at the End of a Human-Powered Sled

If your daily walks feel less like a stroll and more like you’re being dragged behind a furry locomotive, you aren't alone. Dogs don't pull because they want to "dominate" you; they pull because they walk about twice as fast as we do and they really, really want to get to that tree.

The trick to loose-lead walking is realizing that the lead is a communication tool, not a steering wheel. Tension on the lead should be the signal to stop. Think of yourself as a "Tree." When the lead goes taut, the "Tree" takes root. You don't move an inch until the dog looks back or creates slack. The moment that lead loops, you praise and move forward.

This requires the patience of a saint and, occasionally, the endurance of a marathon runner, because you might spend twenty minutes just trying to get past your own driveway. But once the dog realizes that slack is what gets them to the smells, the pulling stops. Avoid retractable leads—they actually teach dogs that pulling works because they have to exert tension to get more line. A fixed lead and a pocket full of treats are your best friends here.