How to Train a Dog to Walk Without Pulling?

Want to teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash—strolling by your side, stopping when you stop, turning when you turn, and calmly passing other dogs and people? Imagine a walk where your dog doesn’t pull, only sniffs or takes potty breaks when you allow, and stays focused on you.

Leash training can be one of the trickiest things to teach, but it’s also a fun and rewarding experience—especially with a puppy! With patience and practice, you’ll soon enjoy stress-free walks together. Keep reading to learn how to make this happen!

Prior to Leash Training a Puppy

A head collar or a front-attachment harness can help prevent pulling, but leash training is still essential for teaching your dog to walk calmly by your side.

A front-attachment harness is a simple, safe, and effective no-pull option that works well for most dogs. If your dog is strong, reactive, or you need extra control—like a small owner handling a giant breed—a head collar might be a better choice.

When using a front-attachment harness or head collar, stick to a leash no longer than 6 feet. A longer leash could let your dog build up too much speed, increasing the risk of injury if they suddenly hit the end.

Stop and Reward

An easy way to teach your puppy to walk on a leash without pulling is to stop moving whenever he pulls and reward him when he walks nicely by your side. A treat pouch you can wear around your waist makes training easier.

If your pup isn’t food-motivated, no problem! You can reward him with a quick game of tug, a chew toy, or even a ball toss instead of treats. The key is to make walking politely more rewarding than pulling.

Also Read: How to Train a Dog to Stop Barking at Strangers?

Dog Leash Training Step by Step

Want to teach your dog to walk calmly by your side? Follow these simple steps to make leash training fun and effective!

Step 1: Walking with My Human Means Treats!

Start by using a 10-20 foot leash (not retractable) attached to a standard harness. Grab some pea-sized treats like fresh meat or cheese, and head to your backyard or another familiar outdoor space.

Decide which side you want your dog to walk on—left is traditional, but either works. Always give treats right next to your thigh on that side so your pup learns where the rewards happen!

Now, walk around your yard briskly and randomly. Whenever your dog chooses to walk beside you, reward him with a treat and some praise. If he keeps walking next to you, keep rewarding him every few steps. Over time, you’ll reduce the treats, but in the beginning, reward him often!

If your pup isn’t interested in you at all, try again later when he’s a little hungrier. Keep practicing until he sticks by your side most of the time.

Step 2: Paying Attention to My Human is Worth It!

Now, let’s make sure your dog learns to follow you, even when distracted.

Start walking around your yard and wait for your dog to wander off or lag behind. When he does, say “Let’s go!” in a happy voice and gently pat your thigh to get his attention. Then, turn and walk away.

• If he catches up quickly, praise him and give him a treat.
• If he stays with you, reward him every few steps.
• If he doesn’t come and the leash gets tight, stop walking and apply gentle leash pressure—not to drag him, just to remind him you’re there. Release the pressure the moment he starts moving toward you.

Keep practicing until he naturally stays by your side and comes back quickly when you say, “Let’s go!”

Step 3: Learning When It’s Time to Sniff or Go Potty

Dogs love to sniff and need potty breaks, but you should decide when it’s time for that.

Every five minutes or so, instead of giving a treat, say “Go sniff!” and let him explore for a bit. This is his reward for walking nicely!

But there’s a rule: If he starts pulling, say “Let’s go!” and walk in the opposite direction, ending free time. Over time, he’ll learn that polite walking gets him both treats and sniff breaks.

Step 4: Mastering Different Walking Styles

Now, it’s time to make sure your dog stays with you, no matter how you walk.

• Shorten the leash to about 6 feet to get him used to walking closer.
• Practice walking fast, slow, stopping, and turning to keep him engaged.
• Gradually reduce the number of treats when he walks nicely.
• If there are distractions (like people or other dogs), reward him for staying by your side.

With consistency and patience, your pup will soon walk like a pro—calm, focused, and happy to be by your side!

Also Read: How to Train a Dog to Stop Barking at Strangers?

Taking It to the Street

Now that your puppy is getting the hang of walking nicely in the yard, it’s time to take things to the real world—your neighborhood! There will be more distractions like friendly strangers, squirrels, and other dogs, so be patient and stick to the same training techniques.

For extra control, consider using a front-attachment harness or head collar, and bring along some fresh meat or cheese as high-value treats.

• Start your walk by saying “Let’s go!”
• If your pup pulls or gets distracted, say “Let’s go!” again and turn in the opposite direction.
• When he walks nicely beside you, reward him with a treat and praise.
• Give extra treats when he focuses on you despite a big distraction.

And don’t forget—puppies love sniffing! Give him permission for short sniff breaks as a reward for good behavior. With practice, he’ll learn that staying close to you makes walks more fun!

Challenge Your Dog During Leash Training

When leash training your puppy, put him in a standard harness and attach it to a 6-foot leash.

• Hold the leash and toss a ball or treat about 20 feet away from you and your dog.
• If he pulls toward the object, say “let’s go!” and turn to walk in the opposite direction.
• If he walks calmly beside you, let him go to the object and reward him when he reaches it.

If it’s too hard at first, you can try using a longer leash or a less exciting object to make it easier for him to stay focused.

Troubleshooting

When you’re leash training your puppy, if he keeps crossing in front of you, try stomping or shuffling your feet a little to catch his attention.

If he’s falling behind a lot, he might be scared or not feeling well, so instead of pulling him along, give him lots of encouragement to catch up. If he’s lagging to sniff or go potty, just keep walking and apply gentle pressure on the leash.

Remember to give him plenty of rewards when he walks beside you!

If, after practicing these steps, your puppy is still switching between walking with you and pulling, stop rewarding him when he pulls. Instead, reward him for walking beside you for several steps in a row.

Also Read: How to Stop a Dog from Jumping on People?

How to Train a Dog to Walk On a Leash and Heel

Leash training your puppy to heel is really helpful when you need him to stay close and pay attention to you, especially when you’re walking past distractions like other animals.

Start practicing inside your home. Hold a treat in your fist and let your puppy sniff it. Then, say “let’s go” and take a few steps while holding the treat near your thigh. When he follows your hand with his nose, praise him and reward him with the treat.

Next, practice getting him to follow your empty fist instead of the treat. Keep praising and rewarding him for staying close and following your hand.

As you keep practicing, raise your standards by expecting him to stay with you for more steps. Over time, your closed fist will become the signal for “heel.” Once he’s doing well inside, try practicing outside with more distractions.

I hope this article on leash training helps you enjoy more fun walks with your puppy!