How to train your dog on leash/STOP leash pulling!

[@JBsUrbanDogs]

I rewatch this video as a good reminder that working with my rescue dog will take patience and repetition with lots of indoor training as we grow our relationship and trust. It also reminds me to chill, slow it down and breath.

[@Mr_moony]

Hands down you’re not only one of the best trainer in a business but also a great explainer

[@Surfergurl06]

I found your channel at the perfect time. My dog had to be completely retrained. Using your methods (over the last month) I have more confidence in my handling, but I'm also seeing my boy have confidence in my leadership. My husband wanted to get rid of him or put him down due to our dog turning on him and he suffered a significant bite. Your guidance and skills have saved his life. Beyond grateful for your content.

[@forreststrong797]

My dog has a very strong heel. We train a lot he is actually my service dog so we need to adhere to a high standard. But one of my favorite things that is also fun is after the dog starts to understand heel and loose leash walking I play a game to increase the attention on me. I like to stop really fast or slow down really fast and see how quickly he takes to respond and if he's paying attention and I make it fun and a game. If he isn't paying attention sometimes he may get a little leash pop or a verbal correction using a correcting tone but keeping it light hearted always, then when he does get some good stops and paying attention he gets a reward which is either lots of praise and laughs and sometimes a treat. If you make it fun the dog will want to participate and it really can be anything as long as your showing happy emotion and being connected in the activity. Once you create a bond your dog won't really care what it is if your having fun. Another good thing to practice is lots of speeding up and slowing down, dogs have a hard time walking slowly and matching a person's pace sometimes so it takes practice it's really good to spend a lot of time slowly moving and changing speeds. Holding heel with inside turns and outside turns also builds this skill

[@farciarz5000]

Thank you. I started training dogs two months ago after watching your videos. A few of my friends are already thankful. keep up the good work.

[@bmrbca3658]

Thanks! Just for clarification, when you say "pay the dog" you are not actually giving him the treat? He gets to smell it and lick it? It's not till you "break" and toss the treat does the dog actually get to eat a treat?

[@melissaweatherhead1607]

I think this is the BEST video of yours I've ever seen. And the perfect video i need right now and picks up where I've gone wrong. Thank you!

[@tomdavisofficial]

Wow, really? Thanks!

[@RaquellePhillips]

I loved this! Such a clear direct guidance for the human as well as the dog. You could see the happy engagement from Oz almost from the 1st seconds. When you slowed the walking pace his little fluffy legs were visibly staying lifted for longer to reduce his speed. So fabulous to watch. I am definitely going to practice this much more with my hound 😊 🐾🐾🐾

[@AmericasAlgebraTeacher]

Best foundational video I’ve ever seen!! Thanks so much for breaking down a simple yet complex series of behaviors. Thanks - you are the best!

[@tomdavisofficial]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@jeno264]

The way you break it all down is quite genius 💖

[@peks4924]

This reminded of a video I saw from an R+ trainer about reactivity/loose leash walking! Boy, I think she finished the whole pouch in like 5min just shoving treats every second😅 My point is.. yours is the opposite and it’s awesome 👊🏼

[@ElGato_Editz1]

Thank you! This is a super helpful video. We started working with a trainer last week and are starting with leash walking/heel command. This helped me realize I need to be more patient and celebrate the small improvements - and find a more controlled environment to work in.

[@wildzenventures]

We recently rescued a 10 month old German shepherd who had no training. She is a quick learner and I’ve appreciated your videos

[@TLFaun]

I have some issues with my 4month puppy healing but this video really gives the best treats

[@julieburner373]

I have two dogs. Both of them we rescued at 3 months of age. I walk one on my right and one on my left. Do you have any videos/suggestions for this? Very much appreciate you and the work you do.

[@agoodlittlewitch]

Can I tell you a secret? I don’t even have a dog! I just think this is fun to watch!

[@Cassistant]

Thank you for sharing this Info. We have a dog that's entered Into our lives recently with the last owner rewarding with treats heavily so any interaction with her is super heightened and with the expectation of food. It's been a challenge to break the habit with her. There is soooo much info in your vids, I have to watch them multiple times to absorb all the info... Noting that the environment you have initially trained in won't always be transferred to a new one 👌🏻 I have lowered my expectation... Thank you 🙏🏼

[@jadehidalgo3437]

So helpful! I love how clearly you explain things - and explain why. Truly the best in my opinion… not the “positive only” stuff- while still being kind & loving and not overdoing things or being aggressive. A true dog lover & it shows. I’m so glad I found these videos

[@marthagutierrez1178]

Great video with details. Thanks so much for explaining small steps and being realistic on expectations.

[@tsunekitsune]

So much undoing to do, so glad I stumbled on this video. I started training my dog in 2017, and a lot of the things I did in highschool were tv dog trainers (not bad, just not the best either). The sitting in front, the paying immediately, the look at me. All good on paper, but watching how it looks from someone else makes so much sense why it wasn't 'working.'

[@yoshigirlrocker]

I was just thinking of watching one of your videos on this subject because I’m having difficulty with my dog paying attention to me on walks/heeling. Really good tips and how to frame our expectations. You’re amazing and a blessing to dog owners 💛

[@scottiajohnston8025]

Always enjoy your videos. They are so informative.

[@batmanbear]

It can be helpful to exercise the dog prior to a structured walk because the extra energy that contributes to distraction is lowered. They will naturally fall in heel position or slightly behind.

[@cynthiaroach1929]

I have a full grown blood hound been thru formal training interested in prong collar training 😄

[@SuperFrangelica]

I’m also a dog trainer and you are the most like me in your style of training minus using the e collar. But I really love your methods nevertheless. You’re great and I appreciate trainers who actually do LOVE dogs! Excellent work from one dog trainer to another! ❤️🐶❤️

[@SuperFrangelica]

I do need a GOOD slip leash and I can’t find one that doesn’t slide down because they all have the leather thingy that does not stay in place. I like yours with the button that you push but yours are all sold out. Do you know when you’re getting them in again?

[@melisawalczak8226]

Great video! How do you know when your dog is ready to level up to a more distracting environment?

[@chicksue7030]

My australian shepherd is an amazing dog who knows a variety of commands (sit, lay, bang, heel, shake, other paw, speak, whisper, spin, etc) and is pretty well behaved...except when it comes to jumping on friends and family coming over, and pulling on the leash. Just started the video and already know how valuable this info is going to be. So im gonna go ahead and say thank you Tom lol. Much appreciated my friend

[@juliafiore120]

As always, Tom. Well done! 👏🏻👏🏻 8:53 Questions 🙋🏼‍♀️ How long after a break before you start again? How long should you train for? On a 3 mile walk, how long should you be “training “ vs “letting a dog be a dog”. I guess I have timing issues 🤣🤣🤣

[@erinlikesacornishpasty4703]

Idk if you ever solved your problem, but it's helped me to separate a regular/neighborhood/structured walk from a decompression/sniffy walk. A structured walk in the neighborhood is when I practice focus, heel, and polite manners. A decompression walk is when I let her just be a dog. The only commands I issue on a decompression walk are "come" and "wait".

[@SabahatNadeem-mh8wn]

Excellent! Thank you so much for showing explaining and motivating

[@Kippycube]

Could you please make a video on how to transfer the heel training outside?

[@Missfoxtooyou]

You could start in a backyard if you’re lucky enough to have one, then the front of your home. Then eventually down the street, then work your way around the block etc… It is a gradual transition, because outside is not a controlled environment. Remember, it’s not a race but progress. Good luck!

[@Kippycube]

@@Missfoxtooyou Thank you for taking the time to reply! I've struggled a bit with keeping my dog's attention to me because we can only train in a small apartment or down the street.

[@deborahhardeman8802]

I just wanted to let you know that I used this video to teach my dog iContact, it was a game changer he now looked at me here sit here stay, when I walk him and I say he’ll he looks at me and he heals and walked right alongside me. You could’ve never told me that that iContact was so important with your dog. God bless you and thank you so much. I’m going to watch her other videos for other tips. Happy new year

[@soniavarnier9741]

Awesome teaching! I finally understand how to engage my dog in paying attention to me even if food is not around. And love how you are spacing the training in small sets for the dog to learn better, and most importantly to stay realistic about our dog learning. Becoming a steady viewer of your training videos. 😊

[@sheilasophia17]

So so helpful and clear! Looks like I’ve been asking too much and going too fast with my 4 month old pup.

[@LabsandCClov2653]

Love watching your videos. They are very informative and have made me better at handling my dogs. I have two Labs and a Corso that I recently found and rescued. He needs to learn to focus on me (a little more independent than my Labs) and I think this video is just what I needed to improve that.❤

[@leokelly359]

I recently adopted a 2 yr old beagle mix as my next psychological service dog, after my last one of 14 yrs passed away. he is doing good sitting on my lab when I am using my power wheelchair. but, he can be a pain when I walk with him using a leash. hopefully using your tips will help.

[@budimpla]

Dear colleague Tom Davis, from across the ocean, I send my compliments for another great video.

[@cassie3787]

So helpful! My border collie absolutely works for the food and not me. She is naturally very independent and confident in herself. So yes she knows heel but more as, another trick she know that will get her a treat. This will be helpful in phasing out treats and get her more focused on me (:

[@brightshiningstar624]

Perfect timing. I'm just starting to work with a teacup puppy n engagement needs work. 🐾

[@patmata018]

Thank you for this. My dog doesn’t mind me or obey if I don’t have a treat on me. This was helpful

[@hholbe]

Fantastic training video!!

[@liznewns6494]

Usuall video from the norm but extremely helpful, other basic vids like this would be brilliant. Thank you for your hard work. ❤

[@ravenronan9989]

My dog loves watching your videos

[@juliafiore120]

10:40 😂😂 You literally just answered my questions. You’re the best, Tom 😊

[@CaneCorsoShow]

i Have 2 Cane Corsos who's personalities were polar opposites when it comes to aggression and aggression training. These basics you're giving are definitely MUST DO techniques and should begin before the dog's 4 months old

[@backyardliberty6028]

I LOVE ALL OF YOUR VIDEOS…NICE CLEAR EXPLANATION THANK YOU 🙏

[@asilsreeb]

Thank you Tom and crew!! Nice job Ozzie!!

[@Swagg2Foolish]

Wow great video! I’m so inspired

[@susanmeadows627]

Great video! I've needed this video for Mia and I. Thanks Tom! Best wishes for a great New Year. 👍❤️🐾

[@margobrannan1966]

Love all your videos - My dog is picture perfect indoors and outside in our large yard - We go to the park to walk - He turns into a crazy dog, as if he has never been trained - So frustrating.

[@leesabee6969]

What about tiny dogs though please?

[@The_Clarient_Player]

I love your videos umm here's a recipe for dog ice cream 🍦. Ingredients Banana - bananas make a thick, creamy dessert without any eggs or cream! Greek yogurt - Greek yogurt has less lactose and may be more easily digested than plain. Plain unsweetened regular yogurt will work too. Organic peanut butter - Be sure that your peanut butter doesn’t include any artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is toxic for dogs Milk-Bone dog treats - or any treat of choice to use for the stick Instructions Place the banana, yogurt, and peanut butter into the blender. Blend the ice cream mixture for about a minute or until it is creamy and smooth! Spoon the blended mixture into the trays. Be sure to not overflow the trays because you’ll need a little extra space for the dog bone treat. Tip If you don’t have extra ice cube trays, place the blended ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Then, you can scoop and serve it into their dog bowls! Stick the dog bone treats into the ice cube trays. Place the trays in the freezer for about 2-3 hours. Tip About 30 minutes into freezing, check to make sure all of the dog bones are still standing up straight. You can adjust them at this point to be straight again if they’ve tipped a little bit. Have fun let me know if your pup likes em. 😁🐕🦴

[@andreasparacino4656]

This is so helpful and informative! Thank you!!❤

[@natashiarogers3400]

Suuuper helpful, thank you!! 🙌🏽

[@mjfowler2061]

I’ve trained dogs for over 20 years, and have thoroughly enjoyed watching your techniques which are similar to mine, but most importantly, I’ve learned even more bits and pieces from you to add to my program. My philosophy as learned from a puppy training group is: ATTENTION is the mother of all behaviors. Thank you! You’re great! ❤️🐾🐕‍🦺🐾❤️

[@tmbosch100]

Awesome again with such precise directions. It works if you do like Tom said take your time and practice lots without distractions and use all the positive feedback for the dog! Love, love, love NBD training.

[@hansstofberg43]

Your one of the top trainers ❤ .

[@kriscotrone7488]

Love this video. Needing to regroup on our approach to training our 11 mo old and this is giving me a great start! Question - since we can’t yet expect the heel outside, how do you handle a dog walk to go potty in the meantime?

[@batbitess4121]

Im pretty sure the my dog bites hat is the best thing I could ever get ahold of 😂😂 We need a "No, you can't pet my dog" hat lol

[@keeanmansour2790]

SO MUCH FREE GAME. Thank you

[@NakedEmperor]

Oh and thanks for the links to the products you're using

[@suewyatt3039]

Need help with this!!! While I'm training INSIDE over the course of time, what do I for her walks OUTSIDE in the meantime. Just let her pull and be a dog? Until it's time to start training on a leash outside. Thanks for any insight on this.

[@ivancruz9280]

What worked for me is using leash pressure in a way that uses their drive to move forward as the correction. No leash popping, just stop completely until they stop pulling or walk backwards a few steps. Their need to move forward is so strong they’ll eventually connect the absence of leash pressure with continuing forward (also, pay and praise when they do it right)

[@bingsballyhoo711]

Sometimes rescue dogs have been taught to sit in front (if they are taught anything at all). My current dog does this. I am trying to teach a sit at heel along fence or wall so she can distinguish between them. Will this create problems later?

[@ivancruz9280]

I’ve experimented with this and have had no problems. Shelter dog here also.. smart boy, I’m the one that needs more education 😅

[@bingsballyhoo711]

@@ivancruz9280 me too! For sure.

[@tomquintero7583]

Great technique, thanks for sharing.

[@noicnusa]

This video was amazing!!! I'm going to work with this, any recomendation to work with my two dogs at the same time???

[@victoriac5235]

I love this but not sure how to do it when my dog isn’t food motivated 🙂‍↕️

[@scAllblacks]

Extremely helpful video, thank you

[@deloresmoxley2215]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@ajmika6273]

This is great video for teaching a heel , but to me there is a difference between a loose leash walk and a heel. I want the heel to be very tight, but I do not want my dog to be on heel for several miles of a walk. I want them to be able to sniff a bit and walk loosely as well. It would be helpful to explain the differences and bridge the gap? Also, do you have tips on how to walk/exercise your dog before they are "outside/distraction" ready? Does it "ruin" the inside training to let them pull on leash when you go outside?

[@travelandfestivals]

Hello, What should i do when the time for walks comes? Lets say i start to train him not to pull on the leash. That would be a session per day, but he is not ready to practice the training in "the real world" yet. So what im asking is: won't this training be in vain if i train him and then the same day i cant use that training outside and he is back to doing what he does?

[@Kellemenopy]

While training this, should we just not go on any walks? I get nervous in dog parks as his recall is also terrible (yes, will work on that too!), and have had experiences with aggressive dogs at dog parks. So just wondering how I can walk him and get his energy out while working on this kind of training?

[@papascruffy]

Great work super cute dog, I have a long haired German Shepherd, he's pretty good but gets very excited when someone visits, ball, toys, cows😂 he just wants to play. I'm amazed at how smart he really is but he needs work on focusing around distractions.

[@alexiaouimet4510]

Thank you so much for this video, it would DEFINITELY help me with my dog who need structure 😂

[@nikkibrewer3945]

Hi. Just found your videos. My 2 y.o. lab is a major puller and will not walk next to me, always ahead. You said the flat collar was good for what you were doing in this video but I don't have an indie space to use. I will have to practice with her outside. What kind of collar and leash should I use for that ?

[@DesignRobPearce]

Great video and always listen to your podcasts Tom. From U.K. working on heel daily with a correctly positioned slip with a Samoyed, a very hard stubborn dog to stop pulling and being excited 😂 he doesn’t care about the slip, corrects and stops but straight back to pulling, 3 years in doing this still pulls. Prong? My only concern is that’s just aversion then surely, not really learning? Thanks :)

[@Shmarg1]

What do you think should be the ratio of active attention training vs break state where they do what they do to reasonable extent. I am asking because we obviously have to fulfill our dog’s physical needs as well, so we can’t do just A to B and be done. What would be realistic ratio and expectations when in break? Thank you!

[@dinarodriguez6478]

At what age do you recommend this type of training? We have a 3 month old puppy for 3 weeks. We’ve started training simple commands such as sit and come but still so young…wants to play all of the time, bite the leash, chase our other dog etc.

[@marie-claudedupont3822]

Thank you soooooo much, I needed this🥰

[@juliafiore120]

This was SO AWESOME!

[@jessejohns756]

thank youuuu

[@gloriagarcia961]

Good trainer good teaching is it possible you can go outside and work with the dog

[@jeno264]

Yes once the dog masters this stuff inside. Start small build up gradually

[@brittanycomrie4842]

How early in age do you recommend this type of training shown in the video? About to have a 9 week old GSD

[@Pawesomeretreat]

Just such a brilliant video 🙏🙏🙏

[@TLAR24]

What do you do when the dog doesn’t like that you are holding the food and not giving it to them. I do this in the house cause I can get his attention. I put the food down to get him to heal he gets aggressive on the fifth step with the food in my hand. I do this in the morning cause I use kibble. If I tell him to be gentle he is and I need to give him the food. For the most part I don’t really like the food and he does respond to good praise. Thanks.

[@lucasduque8951]

Are you going to train burleigh heel or left?

[@barbarahaines3378]

Mr. Davis, I have a 6 month old blue heeler mix, the issue I have is that she is walked a couple of times a day by my son in law and another dog (South African Mastiff) the leash is longer for the Mastiff who is great walking, doesn't pull, but doesn't heel either. I think in training mine to do as you teach, my dog is becoming confused. How do I work this out?

[@kelseybergstrom6397]

Here’s a question- don’t dogs *need* to go out on walks? Or should we focus on training and somehow provide exercise in a controlled environment, before taking our dogs out in the world? I have a new adult rescue dog who is amazing and so eager to please, and am trying to do it right. I’ve started taking him on walks in our busy urban environment, but he is reactive to other dogs. Watching these videos, I think I should focus on training in our home and backyard first? Otherwise he is amazing.

[@susanmercurio1060]

I'm going to write your URL on business-sized cards and pass them out to people (and their dogs) who have these problems out on the sidewalk. Possibly you could sell them on your merch for word-of-mouth recommendations. I run into numbers who need your training.

[@alipadron]

You are amazing. I really love and appreciate your videos. Tiny steps, repetition and consistency are the key for sure. I love how you explain everything in such a natural way..I’m sure this will help so many people and their dogs. I have a question though and is about training smaller dog breeds. I have a mini longhair dachshund and he is so smart and such a wonderful dog. But I find that trying to reward and train heal and that connection you are explaining is a bit harder when the dog is so low to the ground. I have to sort of pause in order to get lower to the ground myself so my hand is at his nose level to reward him and have to be fast because otherwise ge will jump at me or my hand or treat etc. It seems easier when the dogs are medium and large. Do you have any tips on how to go about that? Again thank you for all your wisdom, kindness and such amazing videos! 🐾💚

[@amegill]

My problem is I don’t have an area big enough to train inside. You said don’t try it outside. I’ve learned more from you than the $7000 worth of “professional” trainers we’ve had. I’m trying to fix the problems we still have with heel, focus and reactivity. Kai is a 2 year old GSD.

[@claudiazamorano3975]

He mention in other videos you can use your garage, hope that helps

[@amegill]

@@claudiazamorano3975 Don’t have a garage. Live in the country small house no out buildings

[@edwinrivera6347]

Question. So if you don’t want to work on heal outside what do you do when you need to take them for a walk while still learning. Do you let them do their normal pulling or spend the whole walk correcting them?

[@rbrdly]

We’re researching getting a dog within the next 6 to 12 months. A cavoodle. I feel disadvantaged simply because of the size of the dog. Training/maintaining engagement, and paying out will just be “harder” having to be bent over constantly. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to do this easily to maintain consistency and keep the level of training high?

[@AnaHernandez-vc8cy]

I have a 4 month old German Shorthair and so I am curious if you think it is realistic to have a GSP heel reliably ?

[@Mexxican07]

Is biting my thumb off for the treat something a dog grows out of? She is nearly 6 months old. Is there a strategy to stop them attacking your hand for the treat? I use sausage and she can lick it but she is always trying to bite more off and grabbing my thumb too. Ouch!

[@michelemoore4752]

Do you always start th he heel with a slip or prong?

[@dcastro5551]

If you have him on your left would it also be best to have the pouch on your right with the treat hand?

[@pamc4261]

Do you have any training facilities in Canada?

[@rowdy7819]

Tom What size contact points come standard on your unit?

[@drewb5845]

I loved this video! Absolutely fantastic 👏👏👏 Although, I was distracted by how gorgeous Oz is and had to rewind a few times 🙂

[@esaflaka9155]

Soooo.. if i tried that with my small dog and he knows i have the food... instead of trying to think and heel... he will continually jump to try and get the treat and ignore what I'm trying to ask of him. So ig thats where a slip lead can come in handy🤷🏻‍♀️but to give him a treat while at it, he will then jump out of that heel. So ig just use corrections till he's done good then and only then when i let him break that he gets a treat?

[@Dogtrainer_Greg]

Is yes or good the marker word?

[@shaunnorum05]

What breed is oz? He looks just like the dog i had as a child that we rescued and we thought he was a mix

[@pstacks1k]

I have been “pez dispensing” with a puppy i rescued from the street he is about 10 months old now, but these past 2 months i have focused on training with just his kibble and it has been fine..it’s not too inconvenient..do you still think that is ok?

[@alexandriachello8330]

In the house, in the back yard and in public (pet friendly stores)I can have my dog engaged with me. But on walks everything else is so much more interesting. I have food in all cases. I give breaks and cools downs in all cases. But as soon as it’s a walk I am chopped celery (if I where chopped liver he would be interested😂) I don’t mind him sniffing if there is a balance of looking back at me and when I ask to be engaged with me he will but on walks it’s the worst. When anywhere else he is on top of it, I’m at a loss. Only thing I can do is change small things to make a difference but I’m not entirely sure what changes I need to make.

[@melodywilson]

My 14 week old puppy pulls on the leash. She's a english bull dog and pit. How do I get her to pay attention enough to walk instead of pulling?