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What Not to Do When Your Dog Pulls the Leash, Say Trainers

By Beth Ann Mayer Parade Pets

Updated June 30, 2026 5:49 PM

A dog pulling on a leash during a walk. Getty Images Westend61

Leash pulling can turn a simple walk into a frustrating experience for many dog moms and dads. Whether it's excitement, distraction, or habit, the behavior is one of the most common challenges people face during daily walks. In fact, most pet parents aren't sure what to do in that situation. So, what's the one thing you should never do when your dog is pullng the least, according to trainers? Keep reaading to see if you're guilty of it and learn what you should do instead.

"Dogs are always learning, even in the moments we wish they weren't, or are not aware of," explains Bridget Murphy, the CEO of Koru K9 Dog Training. "If we accidentally reward, ignore or mishandle the behavior, we can make the problem worse without realizing it."

If you're curious how to stop your dog from pulling on a leash, you're not alone. No matter if you have a big dog or a small dog, every pup does this at one point or another. Though, no everyone knows how to resolve it so their furry companion knows it's not okay. To help you out, scroll on to see what dog walking tips trainers have that you may not be aware of. That way, you can know how to hand the incident better the next time you're out and about with your pup. After all, going on walks should be fun for both you and your furry companion and you want them to respect you.

The One Thing You Should Never Do When Your Dog Is Pulling the Leash, Say Trainers

The one thing you should never do when your dog is pulling on the leash is allow them to keep moving forward. According to dog trainers, forward motion is often the reward dogs are seeking, whether they're trying to reach a tree, another dog, a person, or an interesting scent.

"When you let the dog pull you to the tree, the smell, the person, the dog, or the next exciting thing, you are teaching them that pulling works," Murphy says. "You've just rewarded the behavior."

Many pet parents respond by saying "heel" or "no," but trainers warn that verbal corrections alone won't solve the problem if the dog still gets where it wants to go. "Even if you're frustrated or correcting them verbally, the dog is still getting what they want: forward movement," Murphy explains. "That reward is powerful."

Annie-Mae Levy, CFBA, a professional dog trainer at Woofz, agrees. She says allowing a dog to pull toward something it wants creates mixed signals and reinforces the behavior over time.

"The second we allow them to pull towards things they want, we are effectively reinforcing this behavior," Levy says.

As that pattern repeats, dogs begin to associate leash pressure with getting access to rewards, making the habit increasingly difficult to break.

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Your Dog Pulls On a Leash

Allowing your dog to keep moving forward isn't the only dog walking mistake that can reinforce leash pulling. Trainers say several common habits-from relying too heavily on verbal commands to using the wrong equipment-can make loose-leash walking harder to teach.

1. Relying Only On Verbal Commands

Murphy reveals that repeatedly saying "heel" or "stop pulling" won't do the trick unless the dog knows what these words mean. And even if they do, it might not get you the results you're looking for (a calm walk and loose leash).

"If you are talking constantly, your dog has no idea what you are saying," Murphy reports. "They learn to stop listening."

She adds that dogs thrive when they have clear, consistent guidance rather than just repeated words. "If the leash, body language, timing and follow-through don't match what you're saying, the dog will tune it out," Murphy shares.

2. Jerking the Leash to Correct Pulling

You may think pulling the leash is the best move, but Levy says yanking is physically unpleasant for your dog. "Usually, a dog won't understand what they have done wrong or what behavior to show you instead, so within minutes, they will be pulling forward again," Levy explains.

3. Relying On the Wrong Leash, Collar, or Harness

Murphy notes that harnesses, flat collars, slip leads, prong collars and other tools are only as effective as the training behind them. "A tool can help create clearer communication, but it does not replace teaching the dog how to walk properly," Murphy says. "If the dog is still mentally ahead of you, over-aroused, and being allowed to pull into whatever they want, the equipment alone won't fix it."

How to Stop Leash Pulling In Dogs

Stopping leash pulling isn't about stronger corrections or constantly repeating commands. According to Murphy, success comes from preventing dogs from being rewarded for pulling and teaching them that staying engaged with their owner leads to better outcomes. Here are the training strategies she recommends.

Start Before the Walk Begins

Mindset is everything-for you and your pup. Instead of letting your dog explode out the door, Murphy says to wait for calm before you clip the leash, open the door or step aside. This one can take time, so Murphy says patience is critical.

Set Expectations Early

Murphy reports that the first few minutes are critical. "If the dog starts the walk pulling, scanning and dragging you forward, that usually continues for the rest of the walk," she says. "I recommend working on some engagement drills - get your dog excited to be with you."

Stop Rewarding the Pulling

Don't make the biggest mistake other pet parents make when their dogs pull on a leash. Stop moving forward. "You are just rewarding the behavior," Murphy says. "Forward movement should happen when the leash is loose, and the dog is paying attention."

Change Direction When Needed

A pivot can make a world of difference. "If your dog is charging ahead, calmly turn and walk the other way," Murphy states. "This teaches the dog to pay attention to where you are instead of assuming they get to lead."

Reward the Behavior You Want

Training isn't just about correction but reinforcement. Murphy suggests praising your pet, giving food or continuing to move if they walk next to you, check in or keep slack in the leash. "Bribery will get you nowhere if your dog is not engaged or paying attention to you," Murphy clarifies. "I do not advise waving treats in front of their nose to try to get them to pay attention to you."

Use More Structure on Walks

Sniffari walks are all the rage, but Murphy cautions that not every walk needs to be a free-for-all. "If your dog has behavior issues, then they will benefit greatly from more structure and to earn freedom back over time," she says. "Teach your dog that sometimes they walk politely with you, and sometimes they get permission to sniff or explore."

Be Consistent

It's hard to stay on top of your dog when they are doign somethgin wrong, but over time it will pay off. "If pulling works sometimes, your dog will keep trying it, so the rules need to be clear every time: loose leash gets movement, pulling does not," Murphy explains.

Know When to Seek Professional Help

It's okay if you need to call in some professional help. "If pulling is paired with lunging, barking, biting the leash, or reacting to dogs or people, it's no longer just a leash manners issue," Murphy reports. "That's when professional training can make a huge difference."

Sources:

Bridget Murphy, the CEO of Koru K9 Dog Training
Annie-Mae Levy, CFBA, professional dog trainer at Woofz, a puppy and dog training app

This story was originally published June 30, 2026 at 5:30 PM.