Stop Your Dog from Pulling – Start Inside the Home!

​Friends of the Dog
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If your dog is already pulling and overly excited before you even leave the house, it will be much harder to stop the pulling once you’re out on your walk.

The key to success is starting calm, inside the home, and practicing consistently.

As golfer Gary Player famously said: “The more I practice, the luckier I get!”
The same applies here – practice and patience will pay off.


Before You Begin

1. Exercise Without Walks

While you’re teaching your dog these new skills, skip the daily walk for now.
Instead, let your dog burn energy with fun games in the garden or yard, like:
  • Fetch (ball or frisbee)
  • Flirt pole play
  • Tug games
This will ensure the dog gets rid of excess energy.


Equipment Check

If you’re introducing new gear like a balance lead or a double-clip harness
  • Let your dog get used to wearing it indoors first.
  • Practice calmly putting it on and taking it off without heading out for a walk.
We have put in a You Tube of the Balance Lead at the bottom in the even you want to use this method.

Break Old Habits (Triggers)

Your dog has probably learned to get excited by certain cues or “triggers” that mean a walk is coming.
Here’s how to break those habits:

Triggers How to Change Them

Always walking at the same time - Vary the time of day you go for walks

Excitable behaviour when seeing the leash or harness - Store them in a new location

Your pre-walk routine (shoes, coat, etc.) Mix up the order or do those actions randomly when NOT going for a walk

By changing these patterns, you lower your dog’s expectations, making it easier for them to stay calm.


The Exercise: Step-by-Step

These exercises should be practiced several times a day. Once a week isn’t enough — consistency is everything!


Step 1: Calmly Accepting the Leash and Collar

Your first goal is for your dog to sit calmly while you put on their gear.
This step is critical before you move forward.
  1. Go to where the leash is kept (new location).
  2. Call your dog and ask for a sit. If they won’t sit or are too excited, put the leash down and walk away.
  3. Try again when your dog is calmer. Repeat until your dog can sit calmly while you approach.
  4. When they’re calm, put the leash on slowly and from the side, not by leaning over (this can increase excitement).
  5. If they get overexcited again, pause and repeat until they settle.
  6. Practice this several times until your dog no longer reacts wildly to the leash.
Tip:
No treats are needed here — the reward is moving forward once your dog is calm.


Step 2: Walking One Step at a Time (Inside the House)
Once your dog can sit calmly with the leash on:

  1. Guide your dog to your left side with their head in line with, or slightly ahead of, your leg.
    • Do not allow your dog to stand directly in front of you.
  2. Take just ONE step forward.
    • If your dog pulls:
      • Stop moving.
      • Lift the leash slightly up (not back)and release until they relax. This is called the Lifet and Release and it is actually the Release that stops the pulling.
      • When they relax, drop the leash and say, “Let’s go.”
  3. Repeat, one step at a time, until your dog can take several calm steps without pulling.
  4. Walk around the house, varying directions so your dog stays focused.
  5. Stay silent during this exercise — the only words should be “Let’s go” when you start moving.

Goal:
Your dog learns that pulling gets them nowhere, but walking calmly allows forward movement.


Step 3: Approaching the Door 

As you head toward the door, excitement will likely rise again.
  1. Keep practicing one step at a time, just like inside.
  2. If your dog surges ahead or leans toward the door (a “standoff”):
    • Turn around and walk a few steps back the way you came.
    • When your dog relaxes, turn around and try again.

Step 4: Moving Through the Door

This is a common sticking point, so take it slow.
  • If your dog pulls as you open the door:
    • Close it gently.
    • Repeat the calm walking exercise until they can pass through calmly.


Step 5: Practicing Outside

Now you’re ready to step outside — but you’re still practicing, not going for a full walk yet.
  1. Walk a few steps outside.
  2. If pulling happens, go back inside and repeat the earlier steps.
  3. Work up to walking to your front gate or driveway calmly.
  4. If your putting your dog in the car to take it somewhere for a walk, practicing the one step at a time as soon as you get out the car.
  5. Practice several short sessions a day for best results.

Key Reminders
  • No rushing! Slow and steady progress builds lasting habits.
  • Stay calm yourself — frustration will make your dog more excited.
  • Consistency matters most — several short practices every day will beat one long session.
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