Walking your dog should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience, but if your dog is constantly pulling on the leash and turning every stroll into a tug-of-war, it can feel like a daily battle. The good news? Leash-pulling is one of the most common dog training issues—and one of the easiest to fix with the right approach.

Here’s how you can stop your dog from pulling on the leash and start enjoying your walks again:

Why dogs pull on the leash

Before we can correct leash pulling, it helps to understand why dogs do it in the first place:

• Excitement: dogs love to explore the world, and the sights, sounds, and smells of a walk are overwhelming.
• Lack of understanding: dogs that don’t see their human providing guidance will often try to take control of the walk.
• Reinforcement: every time a dog pulls and gets to move forward, they’re rewarded for pulling, and so they’ll keep doing it.

The Bark Busters Method: calm, consistent leadership

Our approach is built on dog psychology and body language—no treats, no punishment.

Here’s how we address leash pulling:

1. Show your dog who is leading

Dogs need to feel safe. That starts with your dog knowing who is leading this walk. We show you how to communicate clearly so that your dog respects your direction on a walk, and without fear or force.

2. Start indoors

Training starts in a low-distraction environment. Practice walking your dog on-leash in your home or backyard. Use a six-foot leash and walk with purpose. Stop moving if your dog pulls. Only resume walking when there’s slack in the leash.

3. Use your voice and body language

Our trainers teach you to use a calm vocal correction and your body movement to communicate clearly. This mimics how dogs correct each other naturally, and gets immediate results. We also teach you how to use the leash without you or your dog getting dragged!

4. Reward calm walking

The best reward for a dog that walks nicely beside you? Moving forward. When your dog walks calmly at your side, praise them and keep walking. If they pull, stop. This teaches them that pulling gets them nowhere.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Yanking your dog around on-leash: this can cause stress or injury and doesn’t teach your dog what you DO want.
• Using retractable leashes: these encourage pulling by giving your dog full control over the walk.
• Letting them lead out the door: a dog that pushes past you already isn’t paying attention to you!

Why in-home training works best

Leash pulling is often a symptom of a bigger issue: a lack of clear communication between you and your dog. That’s why Bark Busters’ in-home training works so well. We come to you, work in your dog’s familiar environment, and tailor the training to your dog’s personality, your lifestyle, your home, and your neighbourhood. A group class cannot replace what daily life looks like!

Ready for stress-free walks?

If you’re tired of getting dragged down the street, it’s time for a new approach. At Bark Busters, we give you the tools to take back control and build a better bond with your dog—right from your own home.

👉 Talk to us today and start enjoying more peaceful walks tomorrow.