My dog pulls on the leash: causes, solutions, and mistakes to avoid

Walking your dog should be a pleasure. However, for many owners, walks quickly turn into an ordeal when their dog constantly pulls on the leash.

This behavior is common, but it doesn't have to be inevitable. In this article, we explain why your dog pulls, what effective solutions there are, and how to improve your daily walks.

Why does my dog pull on the leash?

There are several possible reasons for this behavior:

Excessive excitement when going out
Lack of training in walking on a leash
Stress or fear of the environment
Desire to go faster than its human
Smells and external stimuli
Pulling is not a sign of dominance, but often of poorly channeled emotion.

The most common mistakes

Certain habits unintentionally reinforce the problem:

Pulling back on the leash
Using a leash that is too short
Letting the dog decide the pace
Lacking consistency in the rules
These mistakes create tension... on both sides.

How to teach your dog to stop pulling

• Start with a calm foundation

Before even going out:

wait until the dog is calm
put the leash on without excitement

Stop as soon as the dog pulls:

as soon as the leash tightens → stop                                                 

 Only leave when the tension disappears.

Consistency is key.

 Reward good behavior:

Praise your dog when the leash is relaxed.
Use treats if necessary.

The importance of the right equipment

A suitable leash plays an essential role:

The right length to allow freedom.
Comfortable to hold.
Strength appropriate for the size and energy of the dog.
A well-chosen leash makes training easier and walks more enjoyable.

Adapt walks to your dog:

Increase the number of short, calm walks...

 Take more short, calm walks.
Vary the routes.
Let your dog sniff around (important for emotional balance).

A more relaxed dog pulls less.

Conclusion

A dog that pulls on the leash is not a “badly trained” dog, but a dog that needs clear guidelines.

With patience, consistency, and the right equipment, walks can once again become a truly enjoyable shared experience.