Dog Walking Tips for Beginners | Stop Puppy Pulling, by Kennedy and Marshall on YouTube. 2 min 39 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 39 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Fit your dog with a flat collar or harness and clip on a short, fixed-length leash. Skip retractable leads, because they reward the dog for pulling.
Fill a treat pouch with small, soft treats and wear it on your hip so a reward is always within reach.
Start indoors or in a quiet room with few distractions, so your dog can pay attention to you.
Stand still with the leash loose and wait for your dog to stop pulling before you take a single step.
Walk a few steps and reward with a treat whenever the leash stays slack and your dog is beside you.
Stop the moment the leash goes tight. Stand still, or turn and walk the other way until your dog follows.
Change direction often on each walk so your dog learns to watch you instead of dragging ahead.
Practice short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes, then move to a garden, then a quiet street.
Add distractions such as people, other dogs or new smells slowly, and go back indoors if your dog struggles.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep sessions short and finish while your dog is still doing well, so training stays fun.
Never jerk or yank the leash. Stopping and waiting teaches more than a correction.
Reward every few steps at first, then reward less often once your dog understands the job.
Ask everyone in the house to use the same rules, or your dog will get mixed signals.
Questions
How long does loose leash walking take to learn?
Most dogs need several weeks of short daily sessions. Puppies and strong pullers take longer, so be patient and consistent.
Why does my dog pull more outside?
Outside is full of smells, dogs and people, which makes it much harder. Go back to a quiet space and build up distractions slowly.
Should I use a collar or a harness?
Either works if it fits well and does not choke the dog. A front-clip harness can help dogs that pull hard.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
