Loose Leash Walking 101: Building Calm, Controlled Walks with Your Dog

“I have tried everything, and my dog won’t stop pulling on a leash. I don’t even want to take them out anymore because it’s a hassle.” We hear this all the time, from owners in a wide range of abilities with a wide range of dog breeds and ages. We say that to showcase that you aren’t alone in this struggle. Loose leash walking is one of the most important skills to teach your dog and equally one of the most misunderstood concepts to teach. Many dogs pull on a leash not because they’re “bad” or they’re a dog so they’re “meant” to pull; instead, they pull because they’ve never been given clear rules and guidelines for being on a leash. With the right foundation and consistent follow-through, loose-leash walking is easily attainable.

Why Loose Leash Walking Matters

Loose leash walking isn’t even about the walking manners; it’s about safety, reliability, and clear communication between you and your dog. A dog that walks politely on a leash is easier to manage in public, is safer around distractions, and is more mentally engaged with their owner. Teaching this skill early (or revisiting it with an adult dog) can help set the tone for future trainings.

Loose Leash Walking Basics Every Owner Should Know

1. Set the tone before the walk ever begins. If you are putting the leash on while your dog is already over-aroused, the tone for the walk is being set to be overexcited from the start. Practice calm behavior before opening the door. Ask for a sit and eye contact while putting the leash on; this teaches your dog that calm behavior moves them forward.
2. Positioning matters more than the distance of the walk. Loose leash walking should not be about how far you go but how you go. Teach your dog a clear walking position, whether that’s right next to your leg in a heel or in a designated “bubble” of space. Reward your dog for choosing to stay near you rather than forging ahead.
3. Use positive engagement rather than constant corrections. Modern leash training focuses on rewarding engagement instead of constantly pulling on the leash for a correction. Mark and reward your dog for checking in with you, remaining close, and pausing when they feel tension on the leash. Food, toys, praise, and positive body language are powerful motivations for your dog to want to walk with you calmly.
4. Change the direction to teach your dog awareness. If your dog pulls, don’t get into a tug-of-war with them, but instead turn and go a different direction to encourage them to stick by your side. This helps to teach your dog that paying attention to you is what keeps the walk moving.
5. Train in low-distraction environments first and build your dog up to higher distracting places. Loose leash walking is a learned skill; skills need to be built gradually and practiced often. Start in your home, driveway, or quiet areas near your home; gain confidence and success in this environment before moving to the park or trails.
6. Short and intentional walks beat long frustrating ones. When you spend ten focused minutes of training loose leash skills, it is more engaging and mentally taxing than an hour of dragging you around the neighborhood. Mental clarity and consistent structure will reduce pulling faster than simply trying to “walk it out” of them.

Common Loose Leash Walking Myths

• “My dog just needs more exercise.” Often, pulling is a training issue, not an energy one.
• “Harnesses cause pulling.” Equipment does not train behavior; how you use it in your routine does.
• “They’ll grow out of it.” Leash habits usually get stronger over time without guidance to change the behavior.

Loose leash walking is a foundational skill that can improve everyday life with your dog. When taught with clarity, consistency, and positive engagement, walks become calmer, safer, and more enjoyable for both ends of the leash.

Are you struggling with leash pulling or feeling overwhelmed on walks? Alaska Dog Works specializes in coaching owners in how to teach their dogs the desired skills for their lifestyle. Contact our professional trainers or tune into Dog Works Radio for expert training and enrichment tips that will help your dog succeed at every stage of life.