Training Tips: Loose Leash Walking
When your dog pulls while walking on leash, it can be frustrating and challenging for both of you! Fortunately, through positive reinforcement training and loose leash walking techniques — and with plenty of patience — you can teach your dog to want to walk by your side.
| Behavior is functional (check out our lecture on How Behavior Works: Learning Theory and Training Methods). Dogs will only expend energy if there’s a reason to do so. Through pulling, dogs are able to obtain real-life rewards, such as sniffing bushes, eating food off the ground and greeting people or other dogs. You can use other rewards, like treats, to show your dog that it’s more worthwhile to walk with a loose leash than it is to pull. Watch our Success on Leash webinar for more in-depth information on leash handling and loose leash walking behaviors. |  |
The secret to loose leash walking is simple — don’t move in the direction your dog is pulling you! Instead, teach your dog to be aware of their leash and that they have the ability to progress forward as long as their leash is loose. Here are some tips for loose leash walking:
Invest in Proper Training Equipment
There are many types of training tools available for teaching your dog not to pull. San Diego Humane Society does not recommend the use of aversive training collars such as choke chains, prong collars or shock collars. These types of collars are often used for “corrections,” also known as positive punishment, by inflicting pain any time the dog pulls, lunges, barks or performs an undesired behavior (Instead, check out this video on how to Stop Unwanted Behavior Without Intimidation). These types of training tools require the dog to "fail" first and get punished for their "mistake," which does not teach them what to do to be successful.
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Aversive methods can damage your relationship with your dog and are known for increasing fear and aggression. What should be a pleasurable and rewarding experience for the dog turns into a scary, stressful and painful one. Training should be fun, for you and your dog!
Instead, try using training equipment that prevents your dog from pulling on leash, without causing pain. Training tools such as sense-ation, freedom or easy walk front-clipping harnesses cause your dog to turn to look back at you, encouraging check-ins and discouraging your dog from pulling. Using proper training equipment can reduce pulling by 98% — the other 2% must be taught!
Practice Loose Leash Walking Exercises:
- Attention Exercise: Reward your dog for checking in with you and giving you eye contact voluntarily. If they aren't offering you eye contact, make an exciting sound to get their attention. Then reward them for looking at you, orienting towards you, or even just an ear flick at first.
- Red Light/Green Light Exercise: Place a small pile of treats about 4-5 feet away from you and your dog, where they can't get to it on leash. Wait until there is no tension on the leash and then move forward toward the treats. If your dog pulls and the leash is tight, stop and wait for them to release the tension. Once the leash is loose, start the game again. The goal is to get to the pile of treats on a completely loose leash. This will teach your dog they can't get the treats if they are pulling.
- Combine Attention with Red Light/Green Light: Once your dog understands Red Light/Green Light, take the training out on the road. You will no longer need a pile of treats at the end of the rainbow — instead, you will reward your dog for checking in (making eye contact) with you while on your walks. If your dog pulls, stop and wait for them to release the pressure. Then continue walking — the reward is the continuation of the walk. This may take some time at first, but it will pay off in the end!
- Enroll your dog in a basic obedience class or loose leash walking workshop: San Diego Humane Society offers training classes for all levels. Learn more and enroll: Pet Training Classes.
More Behavior & Training Resources
San Diego Humane Society offers training classes and resources to address a variety of needs for companion animals.
Our training philosophy is based on the behavioral science concepts of positive reinforcement. Training your pet using these concepts will not only help them learn new behaviors more quickly, but it will also strengthen the bond you share.
Please visit our website for a current schedule of training classes or call 619-279-5961.