🚶‍♂️ How to Stop Your Dog from Pulling: Vet-Approved Loose Leash Training for 2025 by Dr Duncan Houston 🐾

One of the most common frustrations for dog owners is a pup who pulls relentlessly on the leash. Sound familiar? The good news is: you can fix it! With the right tools and techniques, even enthusiastic leash-pullers can become polite walking companions. In this 2025 guide, Dr Duncan Houston shares step-by-step strategies for teaching your dog to walk calmly beside you—without tension, punishment, or pain. 🐕🧠

🧠 Why Dogs Pull

Pulling is often a self-reinforcing behavior. Here's why it persists:

• 🌍 The world is full of exciting smells, sights, and sounds
• 🚀 Pulling gets them there faster
• 💥 It “works,” so dogs keep doing it

Dogs don’t pull out of spite—they pull because it leads to reward. Our job is to make walking politely the new rewarding behavior. 🎯

🌟 What You Want Instead: Loose Leash Walking

Most owners simply want a dog who walks near them with a relaxed leash—not a formal heel. To teach this, we need to help the dog understand:

• 🐾 Walking beside you gets treats and movement
• ⛔ Pulling gets them nowhere

🧰 Use the Right Tools

Choose equipment that keeps your dog safe and sets the stage for learning:

✅ Recommended:

• 🦺 Front-clip Y-shaped harness: Reduces pulling without neck pressure
• 🪢 Standard 4–6 ft leash: Comfortable, secure, with enough slack
• 🔗 Optional leash knot: Helps maintain ideal leash length

❌ Avoid These Tools:

• ⚠️ Retractable leashes: Inconsistent length and control; risk of injury
• 💥 Neck collars: Can harm trachea and thyroid
• 🚫 Back-clip harnesses: Encourage pulling by design
• 😖 Prong, choke, shock collars: Cause fear and physical harm without teaching

🎯 Step 1: Get the Behavior Indoors

Start inside your home where there are fewer distractions:

1. 🦴 Leash your dog and walk slowly around the room
2. 🍖 Offer treats at your side every 2–3 steps
3. ⏸️ If your dog pulls—pause. Wait for them to return, then reward
4. ➡️ Reinforce walking near you with forward motion

This teaches your dog: “Stay close = treats + walking. Pull = pause.” 🧠

🗣️ Step 2: Add a Cue

Once your dog is sticking near you, add a cue like:

• 🎙️ “Let’s go!”
• 🚶 “With me”

Say the cue as your dog starts moving with you, then reward after a few steps. Slowly increase the number of steps between treats. 🪜

🌳 Step 3: Practice Outdoors (Gradually!)

Take your training into the yard or quiet street:

• 🐕 Start short and slow
• 🍗 Use high-value rewards
• 🔁 Go back to basics if your dog gets distracted

For some dogs, walking outside is like solving math problems on a rollercoaster—make it easy and build up! 🎢

📉 Common Mistakes That Sabotage Progress

• ⛓️ Using force-based tools
• 🕳️ Letting dogs pull “just this once”
• 🎁 Forgetting to reward good behavior

Consistency and kindness win every time. 🎓

🐾 Real-Life Tips for Walk Success

• ⏱️ Keep walks short and frequent during training
• 🧴 Bring plenty of treats (treat pouch = your secret weapon!)
• 🔄 Turn around or change direction when your dog pulls
• 🧠 Mix in sniff breaks and play to keep walks fun

📱 Need Help? Ask A Vet Can Guide You

If your dog’s pulling is extreme or you’ve tried everything without success, professional support can help. The Ask A Vet app provides:

• 📞 Direct chat with trainers and behavior pros
• 📸 Video evaluations of your walk setup
• 📝 Custom training plans for your dog

Don’t struggle alone—tailored help is just a click away. 🐶💬

🌟 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Walking your dog should be a joy—not a tug-of-war. With patience, the right tools, and clear communication, your pup can become a leash-walking pro. 🐕

Keep your training sessions short, celebrate progress, and remember that even a few good steps are worth rewarding. For support anytime, visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app. Here’s to calmer, safer, and happier walks in 2025 and beyond! 🚶‍♀️🐾