How to teach your dog to stop pulling

To stop your dog pulling on the lead can be a tough challenge so in this video I break down the environment and the technique in order to get results. Once you have a starting point where you are not being pulled then you have something to build on and you can progress to a next stage.
Each time the dog pulls be sure to stop, bring them back and wait to get their attention before moving forward. This case wasn't a very tough one so be sure to look at my other videos on how to get your dog to walk to heel and how to get your dog to come when called. And my online courses show many extreme cases.
For more information on dog's behaviour and behavioural issues, have a look at the following links:
My website: www.thedogguardian.com
My book, 'The Dog Guardian, Your Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Dog': Amazon Universal Link: geni.us/nigel-reed
Canine behaviour courses: -
Online Courses: www.thedogguardian.com/online...
Group Courses: www.thedogguardian.com/group-...
Social media:
Instagram: thedogguardian
Facebook: DogGuardian #teachyourdogtowalkonalooselead
--------------- ** PS: I NEED YOUR HELP ** My goal is to better the lives of one million dogs in my lifetime. It is clearly impossible for me to do this on a one to one basis. I have seen that with around every thousand views on my videos, I get a comment or email thanking me and letting me know the video has helped. So working on that basis, I have to make videos on how to address every problem behaviour and accumulate ONE billion views in order to help 1,000,000 dogs.
You can help me reach #onemilliondogs by
(1) subscribing to my channel and
(2) give this video a thumbs up - so KZbin suggests this video to more dog owners and we can help 1,000,000 dogs all over the world. Thank you so much!
About me: My name is Nigel Reed, and I am a dog behaviourist and author with fifteen years experience addressing all types of problematic behaviour. My book The Dog Guardian has sold over 21,000 copies and I have over 2000 clients in the U.K and Europe.
I hold qualifications and certificates in dog training and behaviour, animal assisted therapy, wolf studies and nutrition and health. Next to that, I am a regular on radio and television helping owners address their dog’s behaviour. I believe the secret to helping you address your dog's undesirable behaviour is through detailed but simple advice that is kind, effective and easy to absorb. This why I have produced extensive online courses with how to training videos and created a book.
This information will ensure I can suit your preferred learning style in order to help you perfect your relationship with your dog, wherever you are in the world.

[@sirchsirch9949]

Thanks Nigel. Your videos are so helpful because they show how slow the progress really is, no magic turn around in dog's behaviour, just consistent repetition and endless patience.

[@nigelreed]

Pleasure. Thanks for watching ☺️

[@bugboy8554]

It's insane how fast this started working for me and my dog, thank you!

[@nigelreed]

Amazing to h ear Zoe, well done. Pleasure :)

[@wendysmith245]

I started to watch your videos on Saturday, they have been a Godsend! My dog is already walking better with a loose lead, 2 days on! You explain things so well thank you! Now to keep on with the recall and reactive behaviour! 😊

[@nigelreed]

I'm so glad! Well done Wendy!! Hope all goes well.

[@helenohelen7192]

Wow! "each pull is a question". Game changer.

[@nigelreed]

Great to hear :)

[@kaybarrett7599]

I love the patience and explanation here, really well explained Nigel, thanks!

[@nigelreed]

Thank you Kay

[@edwardo2436]

Great advice your techniques definitely work I've used them on my two rottweilers who used to pull me around. Now they walk nicely on the lead it took lots of practice thanks Nigel 👍👍👍👍👍

[@nigelreed]

Well done Edwardo. :)

[@name.terrie]

This is awesome. Thank you so very, very much. I am such a fan. I really respect your training methods and your demonstrations and tips have really helped me help the dogs that I've gotten to foster.

[@nigelreed]

So pleased to hear that. Thank you for your support and comments. Much appreciated.

[@Marmar68828]

Even though I haven’t tried it with my dog but I know that it will work. I understand your points and all them makes sense. I am about to watch your other videos and take notes. And have already forwarded some of your videos to my friends. Thank you

[@nigelreed]

Thanks for sharing!! :)

[@luellabungaroo2052]

Beautifully and clearly explained. Loved the whole video. I am in awe of the perfect steps involved in walking your dog on a leash. Great advice and techniques used. Well done Nigel. Thank you so much. I am repeatedly watching your videos and learning.

[@nigelreed]

Thank you so much! You are so kind. Thanks for watching

[@mamacitakarate]

Such straightforward, easily understood guidance. Thank you!

[@nigelreed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gwenmueller3473]

Thank you for putting out such great simple videos!

[@nigelreed]

Pleasure Gwen.

[@nataliegowing-beckwith7155]

Thank you! Just what I needed help with !

[@nigelreed]

You're welcome!

[@larry68hd11]

Thanks for the information

[@nigelreed]

Pleasure Larry

[@melorder6448]

Brilliant!

[@nigelreed]

Thanks Mel

[@tracielillytan1530]

Thank you!

[@nigelreed]

You're welcome!

[@MW-nr1ud]

Thank you! 🐾🐾

[@nigelreed]

Pleasure.

[@mariasanson2223]

I love the way you work on dogs,,,,awesome

[@nigelreed]

Thank you so much 😀

[@DukeTubongbanua]

thank you!

[@nigelreed]

You're welcome!

[@jasonperry70]

Brilliant.

[@nigelreed]

Thanks Jason.

[@andrewjackson4264]

That was great advice, thanks very much. I'll start teaching myself some patience!

[@nigelreed]

Thanks Andrew. Best of luck.

[@62dankar]

Excellent explanation. Thanks for your generous teachings. I forward your videos to adopters and volunteers at our local shelter

[@nigelreed]

Thank you. And much appreciated :)

[@karenleafe3918]

Thank you Nigel, I agree a very clear and well explained training plan for recall. I like that you break it down into small steps so we can build on success. I will be giving your method ago.

[@nigelreed]

Glad you enjoyed it. Hope all goes well.

[@gaylegeraths234]

Great exercise suggestion for pulling. Will give it a try with our pup. Thank you!

[@nigelreed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bruceallen2862]

Thank you Nigel, your. Chauffuer, J Bruce, Hollywood North 🇨🇦

[@nigelreed]

Cheers Bruce :)

[@nessidoe8080]

Be patient with yourself and your dog, it's worth it!

[@nigelreed]

Agreed :)

[@louc758]

Hi Nigel, I'm so pleased to see that you have done more videos, they're so helpful! I was just wondering if you have any advice to help me with getting my dog to walk to heel after getting out of the car please? We usually go for a walk across fields, on a long line when we drive somewhere but sometimes he has to come with me when I need him to walk nicely next to me but he pulls like a train as soon as jumps out of the car.

[@nigelreed]

Hi Lou, Same scenario. Keep going back to the car each time he pulls. If you let him pull he thinks he has influenced the outcome.

[@slavkaslavka3862]

GREAT videos and techniques !!!! 💎That's what I needed an IT helped me a lot to understand proper exercise with my doggie ENERGIZER😁😁....as all puppies are.THANK you so much for your videos👍👍👍🥳

[@nigelreed]

Glad it was helpful! :)

[@elalawyjawad9262]

So far ur the best , u provide training secrets for free , thumb up :)

[@nigelreed]

Glad you like them!

[@tonykey6453]

Oh good god. Why havent I been doing this? ANd I read below - from edwrdo -- this is the first thing I should have been doing with my rotty. Thank you Nigel!!!!!!

[@nigelreed]

Pleasure :)

[@dalebabbitt6185]

Thank you!! We'll have to try this. We have a Siberian Husky that's an absolute beast when trying to walk with him. Therefore, he doesn't get walked enough to meet his needs. Battle!!!!!

[@name.terrie]

I'm sure Nigel has better input. One of my foster dogs was a "puller". We would make sure to play fetch, tug, or play with the flirt pole before going out to do leash training. It only added about 5 or 10 minutes and made the training easier. Another thing we found that a short drive to different destinations really calmed him before walking. All dogs are different, but those helped for that guy. Best of luck.

[@marcuss9076]

Huskies are beautiful dogs, although as you know they are sled dogs. It’s in their nature, their job to pull. I am not sure I would take away their natural instinct. You got a Husky for a reason and wasn’t that to keep him a husky? Sorry for sounding a bit harsh but I’m thinking of your dog’s needs. Good luck!

[@nigelreed]

Keep going Dale and be strict. You'll both be happier once it is done.

[@nigelreed]

Hi Marcus, I would argue their instincts to pull do not serve them or us anymore. And so need to be overridden. Likewise we have instincts we have to suppress via our consciousness for the sake of others and ourselves e.g multiple breeding.

[@chrisbarclay6127]

Finally..... someone who gets to it without a 1/2 hour of babbling....!!!!

[@nigelreed]

Ha, many more videos of mine where I don't babble.

[@miss_kpop345]

Great video, Nigel. Thanks! One small question: when you have reached your goal and walk back to your starting point, should you also be paying attention to how your dog walks on the way back, bringing it back to the checkpoints every time it pulls? Or do you just let it do whatever it wants?

[@nigelreed]

Hi there, I often come back with a tense lead so the dog has no fun on the way back to the reset. Best of luck. I have another video 7 tips that explains this kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4jShZ2fd5WZl5Y

[@robstaples6649]

Any verbal cues for the dog while you're doing this? Thank you for the great video

[@nigelreed]

Hi Rob, you definitely can. Some dogs I do use verbal cues with others I don't. It depends if they are responsive to them or not. I often do it all in silence. But give it a go and see if it helps or if you feel you are getting wound repeating yourself and your voice is across as white noise then do it in silence.

[@CB-os6fs]

Hi Nigel, I love your videos! I was wondering what you’d do for a dog that is a bit stubborn and really plants his feet when you try and turn back. My dog will occasionally do this when I try and turn back, he’ll just refuse to follow. And I don’t want to hurt him or choke him by forcing him

[@nigelreed]

Hi there, the only way is to correct him in that moment is force him. You just have to do it without hurting him. You can of course just stay stationary for some time as a consequence which may get the message through.

[@heathersidebotham4416]

Appreciate your videos! I have been doing this with my 8 month old lab for the last month but I don’t feel like we are getting anywhere and I worry he isn’t getting enough exercise if we don’t walk more. How long is reasonable of doing this over and over again?

[@nigelreed]

Hi Heather, the mental stimulation is enough to tire the dog out. I keep in doing at a stage until the dog gets it. However you can up the ante by coming back further each time they pull. Sometimes I just come straight home after too many pulls

[@acreativegentlelife4035]

I wanted to know this too, thank you:)

[@tinapl5998]

Hello, I really love your videos but would the same apply to puppies who just started the leash training? Or is it only for dogs who already had some leash experience and “merely” need corrections? Thank you for you reply.

[@nigelreed]

Same communication just a lighter more relaxed version of it.

[@bone0944]

Nigel what is your opinion on head collars? Can the dog wear them and the guardian still follow the method you demonstrate in this video?

[@nigelreed]

Generally I am not a fan as the dog stops pulling because it is uncomfortable to do so rather than because they have learnt the response & accepted you are making the decisions. However in some cases they do the job well and the dog walks well when the owner switches to a normal lead.

[@MrDirkles]

I've been doing this technique for months and yesterday it took 20 attempts to get across the road without her pulling. 16 month old sprocker

[@nigelreed]

Woody in the video wasn't particularly tough teaching to walk beside me. However if yours is a tough case be sure to go back further each time she pulls and do not go over the road (probably bad example) until you can do it with zero pulls.

[@MrDirkles]

Is it possible to walk the dog in non training mode? For example, if we have a day out to the seaside and take the dog, do we need to continue the training regime to the letter or is their a way to have a non training mode that won't set her back in her training?

[@nigelreed]

@@MrDirkles I would drive to the seaside and have the dog on a long lead. But when on short lead the dog must always walk nicely beside you for sake of consistent messages.

[@MrDirkles]

@@nigelreed ah yes that's what i thought . I took her out this morning and apart from a dodgy start she did excellent on the way back so by following the method you show here and in your book. On a long lead she just shoots off like a lunatic and then hits the end of it and nearly rips my arm off in the process. It sounds like i need to just stick with the short lead then but i'm confident i'll get there :). Thanks

[@nigelreed]

Yes step up how far you bring her back and shorten the stage. Once that is solidified extend the environment. Best of luck.

[@deborahfrost6263]

I have a rescue collie, have been trying your techniques to stop her pulling, she is frightened of cars, dogs and wary of people, she will walk to heel in garden but on pavement she pulls really badly and if I try to pull her back as you show in video, she sits down and won't move, been trying for 3 weeks now with little progress

[@rachaelkullmann6522]

Hi! I've just started implementing this technique with our 3.5 year old Poodle/Schnauzer cross. The only issue is that when I stop and change direction or move backwards, she pulls even more, so it's hard to get her back into the right position. Do you have any suggestions? She is wearing a harness currently, so I'm wondering if that is contributing to the pulling being worse? We are trying to implement your other leadership suggestions as consistently as possible from the book as well. Thanks so much.

[@nigelreed]

Hi Rachel, Ask yourself is perfect in the home / garden. Then from the front door to the end of the drive etc etc. If you skip stages it will be too hard. She may resist your requests, as many dogs and children resist their guardians requests, however walking nicely on a loose lead is not a suggestion. So if you have the foundational stages in place and she is ignoring food then it is a battle of wills which you have to win. Thanks for getting the book.

[@rachaelkullmann6522]

@@nigelreed thanks so much for taking the time to reply, much appreciated. The issue for us is that we live in a 6-floor walk up apartment. So we are somewhat forced to engage in an outdoor walk every time we take her outside to toilet. We have started to practice in the house every day but walking on the leash in our apartment complex (where there are more distractions) is an inevitable part of daily life. Should we treat each going out as a training session?

[@nigelreed]

Yes absolutely. And break the environment down as demonstrated in the video.

[@pgatjens]

So I have the slight issue that my dog plays dead the moment you attach a leash. Don’t know where he picked that up 3 month old Australian Cattle dog. Any tips…I feel like I’ve looked and tried everything

[@nigelreed]

He's controlling the situation through either tiredness, the weather, a fear of the unknown, a lack of confidence of what's coming next, or because he is making the decisions. You have to find the need behind the behaviour on order to address it. This video will help you get to the route of it kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmi3qpWDrtGFb8U If he does it through control it is just a case of teaching him to follow you with treats off lead. Then short lessons with him on lead and treats i.e o meter and take the lead off and starting again with many lessons in the home. Then progressing further once he has it. Best of luck.

[@guycalabrese4040]

Try this with a Dobermann with huge drive and who needs to control everything in the area... Not so easy. Or a Malinois.

[@nigelreed]

Hi Guy, check this video link out of a Malinois cross desperately controlling the environment with aggression. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooukgIN9fM6rp8U I find the breed of the dog is nearly irrelevant, rather it's their strength of the individual and their (as you point out) attempts to control the environment which makes a case hard or not. Best, Nigel

[@guycalabrese4040]

@@nigelreed Thanks for the link! You are absolutely right!

[@bubbles0are0cool]

I've literally been doing this exact training and more with my pup since he was 9 weeks. He's now over a year and still can't focus long enough to get anywhere without pulling. He knows the moment he pulls I will stop and either wait for him to reposition himself or I will back up. It's to the point now where he feels the pull and wildly throws himself back at my side because he knows he messed up, but he literally can never focus for even a short walk. I just want to walk without stopping for once :(

[@nigelreed]

Sorry to hear this. I assume you're not in the U.K?

[@bubbles0are0cool]

@@nigelreed no I’m in the USA. he’s a really obedient dog for all of a minute because his brain is just so distractible 😂 it doesn’t help that we just moved to Florida and the sidewalks are FILLED with lizards that zip by for the entire walk.

[@ianmcdonald3053]

@@bubbles0are0cool what sort of breed is ur dog? If mixed do u know the mix?

[@temujinadonijah6365]

Can you please demonstrate this kind of thing with an adult jadg terrier Inc the barking aggression rather than the more placid breeds?

[@nigelreed]

Hi Temüjin, there are over 300 breeds of dog but not 300 different techniques. The breed doesn't mean much to me, it's the personality and tenacity that does. There are other videos with stronger personalities and more tenacious dogs showing you what to do.

[@temujinadonijah6365]

@@nigelreed thankyou I'm keeping on watching

[@temujinadonijah6365]

@@nigelreed I've copied and the pulling is stopped, but am struggling with the crazy aggression against dogs from even as far as the eye can see, up to very close

[@nigelreed]

The German Shepherd in my other video had the same issue.

[@temujinadonijah6365]

@@nigelreed I just find that German shephard for example have more propensity to be obedient than a terrier , and are closer to the wolf's and not bred to be independent

[@sophie_cheal4606]

the dog pulls so you return to a checkpoint and they then pull you towards the point you’re returning too what should you do?

[@nigelreed]

When correcting (going back) make the lead tense lead and relax when you are back to the start position.

[@kelseymarie4671]

Is the start point not supposed to be home? My dog gets super excited and starts pulling right out the door

[@nigelreed]

Yes this is a continuation video on from kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGnGgZ6KnZyMac0

[@kelseymarie4671]

@@nigelreed thank you! I am currently at stage 1 with my dog, he gets crazy excited if i grab the leash, even tries climbing me like a cat, he thinks im going to leave without him. Lets say I put his leash on and need to grab something before going out, he follows me everywhere screaming and jumping on me. How do you fully correct the behavior? Like in the video link you shared, you said you put the leash back and keep doing this until the dog stays calm when you pick up the leash, but how do you get the dog to fully calm down after putting the leash back? Lock him in a room for a few minutes to relax? Does lights on or off make a difference/matter for this?

[@kelseymarie4671]

@@nigelreed Also, would getting him to stay calm before we leave the house help him with car rides? He used to love them and i dont know what happened but now he cries the whole time and i dont know how to get him to calm down

[@kelseymarie4671]

@@nigelreed I'm sorry I have another question. I have a chihuahua mix, and I am very over protective, I thought I made him feel safe but from watching your videos, maybe he does not feel as safe as I thought. He does bark when people walk by the house or if he hears a noise outside. I sometimes dogsit my sisters chihuahuas, one of which is always stuck to me, loves to cuddle in my bed (which is my chi's space) and he does NOT start barking when my chi does. I learned what he does from watching your videos, he looks at me when he heard something and I will tell him its okay and he goes back to sleep without making a peep. How come my dog doesnt pick up on that? If a dog who isn't in his usual space feels safe, why wouldn't my baby?

[@nigelreed]

Yes having the dog calm before starting anything is always a good thing. One chi trusts you to take care of dangers the other doesn't for a multitude of reasons - check out my video 'understanding your dog's behaviour'

[@maryamcclain1556]

How to become successful with small breeds (terriers) to be in- charge by always barking to announce new visitors or passer by humans

[@temujinadonijah6365]

With all respect this is all great, but why aren't any terriers and dog breeds that are independent and have a highest propensity to seek hunt being used?

[@nigelreed]

A pull is a pull which I will correct regardless of the breed.

[@Goztepe-uf6si]

I tried this with my Husky and now he is walking me.

[@nigelreed]

😃 I hope not!

[@Pedro-lb6rq]

Really nice, but it would be good to see that with a completely untrained and "difficult" dog.

[@stephanierutherford226]

He's done a video with that with 2 dogs already kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGnGgZ6KnZyMac0

[@graceygrumble]

Check out his vids; he transformed a 'mental' rescue dog. It took weeks, but that's how it goes, sometimes. The lad's patience and understanding is superb.

[@Rjj02052005]

Why does he never talk to the dog or reward him/her when walking nicely, this is not loose leash walking

[@nigelreed]

I do reward the dog. And the dog is walking on a loose lead . It’s not mandatory to keep telling the dog to heel - The actions do the talking.

[@cbcdesign001]

@@nigelreed It makes one wonder if this individual actually bothered to watch the vlog. Clearly treats were given and the lead was often loose.