Loose Lead Walking for Dogs: How to Stop Pulling & Teach Calm Walking
Loose-lead walking is one of the most requested training goals we hear at ASCENDK9, but it’s also one of the hardest for owners to crack.
Let’s break down why this skill is so challenging, how to teach it effectively, and the key habits that prevent your dog from slipping back into bad pulling habits.
There’s No Magic Tool for Pulling
No matter what a product claims, no harness, headcollar, or lead will teach loose-lead walking on its own.
Front-clip harnesses, slip leads, prong collars… these are management tools at best, but the real learning comes from you teaching your dog to yield to lead pressure instead of resisting it.
Step 1: Teach an Understanding of Lead Pressure
The aim is simple:
Loose lead = good things happen
Tight lead = nothing happens
Here’s how to train it:
1. Reward for the “right” position
When your dog is at your side and the lead is slack, mark the moment (e.g., “Yes!”) and reward with food. Use a variable reward (sometimes one piece, sometimes a jackpot and ideally their daily meal - take it out on your walk!) to keep motivation high.
2. Add short “taps” on the lead
If your dog drifts ahead or to the side, give a quick, gentle tap on the lead - not a yank - to create a small pulse of pressure.
As soon as they move towards you, mark and reward.
You can make this fun by stepping away slightly and letting your dog “chase” you for the treat. This builds a positive association with following lead pressure.
3. Stop self-rewarding behaviour
Dogs pull because it works - they get to the smell, the dog, or the interesting spot. From now on:
If the lead goes tight → stop immediately
Turn and walk the other way
The instant your dog is back next to you with a loose lead → mark and reward
This may feel monotonous, but with consistency every single walk, most dogs learn the basics in just a few days.
Step 2: Practice on Every Walk
Loose-lead walking isn’t something you “do in training” and forget on real walks. It’s a lifestyle rule.
Key habits to stick to:
Never allow pulling towards a scent, person, or dog
Stop and turn the moment tension appears
Mark and reward as soon as the lead is slack again
Keep sessions short and upbeat - success is more important than distance
Step 3: Proof in More Challenging Environments
Once your dog can walk nicely in quiet areas, gradually add distractions:
First, low-distraction streets or quiet parks
Then, busier paths and places with other dogs or wildlife
Always work at a level where your dog can still succeed - if they’re constantly pulling, you’re in an environment they’re not ready for yet
Why Loose-Lead Walking Helps Reactive & Frustrated Dogs
Many owners don’t realise that frantic pulling fuels reactivity and frustration. A dog that charges ahead, scanning and lunging, is in an elevated state before they even see a trigger.
Teaching calm, responsive loose-lead walking:
Lowers arousal before encountering triggers
Builds focus on the handler
Makes it easier to manage reactions when distractions appear
If your dog is struggling to walk calmly in certain places, it’s a sign you need to step back to easier environments and rebuild their understanding.
Start at Home for Best Results
Before you even head out:
Put on the collar/lead and practice a few loose-lead reps indoors or in the garden
Show your dog what “good” looks like in a distraction-free space
Perfect your handling - treats on the same side as your dog, pouch at your hip, and a comfortable lead grip (handle in the opposite hand to your dog for better control)
Final Tip: Mental Work > Miles
A three-mile walk with constant pulling does more harm than good.
Ten minutes of focused loose-lead training will tire your dog far more than a long hike where they’re ignoring you.
Need Hands-On Help?
At ASCENDK9, we teach loose-lead walking in both our puppy classes and adult dog training sessions.
If you’re in Harlow, Essex or Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, we can help you refine your technique and fast-track results - either in a group or one-to-one setting.
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