Let’s Talk Loose Leash Walking

If you’ve ever felt like your shoulder might pop out of its socket during a walk with your dog, you’re not alone. Loose-leash walking makes walks more enjoyable, safer, and less of a battle for both you and your dog.

So what is loose leash walking, anyway?

It’s not a formal heel. It just means your dog is walking with you, not pulling like a sled dog. The leash stays slack, and there’s a little give and take between the two of you as a team.

Why dogs pull?

Dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk on leash. They naturally move faster than us, they’re curious about everything, and pulling gets them where they want to go. It works for them, so they keep doing it.

But here’s the catch: if pulling gets them places, then not pulling has to be even more rewarding.

How I like to teach it

There are tons of ways to train loose leash walking, but here’s what I’ve found works well and keeps things positive for both ends of the leash.

1. Start in a low-distraction area.

Your backyard, your driveway, even inside your house. If your dog can’t focus there, they definitely won’t on a busy sidewalk.

2. Pick a side and stick to it.

Left, right—doesn’t matter. Just be consistent. I usually recommend keeping treats on the same side too, so your dog starts to associate that side with good stuff.

3. Reward for checking in.

Every time your dog looks up at you, boom—treat. You’re building the habit of them tuning into you instead of zoning out and dragging you around.

4. Use movement to your advantage.

Dogs love forward motion. If they pull, stop or turn the other way. If they stay near you, that’s when you keep walking. The reward is movement itself.

5. Make it fun!

Bring high-value treats. Switch directions. Talk to your dog. Celebrate the little wins. The more fun they have walking near you, the more likely they are to stick with it.

Real talk: This takes time. You might feel like you’re not getting anywhere at first. But consistency is everything. Short, focused sessions can make a big difference over time.

One last thing—don’t beat yourself up.

Every dog learns at their own pace, and it’s totally okay to use tools that help manage walks while you’re training (like a front-clip harness or head halter). This isn’t about being perfect, it’s about improving your communication and building a better bond with your dog!

-Briar in her head halter-

References:

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. AVSAB position statement on humane dog training. https://avsab.org/resources/position-statements/

• Karen Pryor Clicker Training. Loose leash walking: Teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash. https://www.clickertraining.com/

• The Academy for Dog Trainers. The Academy for Dog Trainers: Dog training education & resources. https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/

• McConnell, P. The other end of the leash blog. https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/

• Stilwell, V. Dog training advice and tips: Leash walking. https://positively.com/dog-training/