Let’s have an honest conversation about something that so many dog owners struggle with, lead pulling.
It comes up in nearly every Q&A I do, every discovery call, every message I get.
And I want to say this loud and clear…
👉 You’re not doing anything wrong.
👉 Your dog isn’t being “naughty.”
👉 Lead pulling is way more complicated than it looks.
In fact, it’s not just a pet owner issue.
Trainers, sport handlers, even professionals in the dog world struggle with it too — because it’s not just about “training a dog to walk nicely.”
So what is lead pulling?
It’s not really a behaviour on its own.
It’s a symptom.
It’s what happens when a dog , especially a dog bred to move, trot, scan, and explore (like a Border Collie) is asked to walk slowly next to us on a short lead, without interacting with the world around them.
That’s a tough ask.
And even if you’re using a longer lead (like 3m), many dogs still hit the end of it and try to keep going… and you know what we usually do?
We follow them.
We accidentally teach them that pulling works.
Even if you’re doing the “stop and wait” method, there are always moments when your dog pulls and you move forward. And that’s all it takes for them to keep trying it.
But it’s not just about reinforcement…
Lead pulling can come from a few different places:
- Excitement (“I want to go to the park!”)
- Frustration (“Why can’t I move faster?”)
- Anxiety or fear (“This road is loud and scary.”)
- Sensory overload (especially in sensitive dogs like Collies)
And here’s something I want you to consider too…
Our frustration feeds into the experience.
We get annoyed. The dog feels it. Now they’re dealing with an overwhelming environment and a frustrated human at the other end of the lead.
At that point, it really doesn’t matter what kind of equipment you’re using the lead is tense, the dog is tense, you’re tense, and treats aren’t even an option because your dog is no longer able to focus or take food.
They’re not thinking.
So how do we fix it?
Here’s the big takeaway:
Don’t try to train lead walking during your actual walk.
If you’re heading to the park, just get there in whatever way is kindest and calmest for you and your dog. And once you’ve arrived, let them run off some steam, then clip the lead back on and practice lead walking after the pressure has dropped.
Train lead walking in low-stakes places:
- Around the house
- In your garden
- Quiet car parks or business parks
- Shops or places where your dog isn’t expecting off-lead time
The goal is to separate lead walking from the excitement of “getting somewhere fun.”
And remember if your dog is showing signs of anxiety or reactivity on lead, lead pulling is just the symptom. We need to deal with that root cause first before worrying about what happens on the lead.
The truth is: this takes time.
It’s not something a 5-minute tip can fix.
It’s not something I can package up into a tidy little lead walking course.
It takes maturity, emotional regulation, and thoughtful support for both you and your dog.
But the good news is: you don’t have to figure this out alone.
💬 If you’re struggling with lead pulling whether it’s from excitement, frustration, or something deeper — I’m here.
You can reply to this email or book a free discovery call with me, and we’ll talk through what’s going on and what your next step can be.
You and your dog both deserve walks that feel good.
Speak soon,
Marti
