September 10, 2026, 11:06 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Does your dog constantly pull on the leash? Over time, this can become quite annoying and frustrating for both the owner and the dog. To make walking easier for the dog-human duo, PETBOOK consulted dog trainers Andreas Ohligschläger and Jeanette Przygoda and presents exciting tips.
Why does the dog pull so hard on the leash?
The reasons, as often, are varied: Perhaps the dog comes from a shelter and is not used to walking on a leash. Some dogs have never learned to deal with conflicts, such as when other dogs or people approach them.1
That’s why they move forward to keep others at a distance. Boredom can also be a motivation: The dog tries to discover something interesting beyond the leash’s reach. Or the dog simply never learned that exciting things can happen when walking calmly on the leash.2
Also interesting: How do I stop my dog from eating everything off the ground?
These 5 tips help against leash pulling
Since constant pulling on the leash can turn even the nicest walk into a test of nerves and can even be dangerous, the well-known dog trainers Andreas Ohligschläger and Jeanette Przygoda offer these five useful tricks to owners.
Tip 1: Start calmly
The first step of any walk begins at the front door: “If you don’t want your dog to pull you around outside, you need to bring calm to the situation indoors,” advises Ohligschläger. So: First, calm down, relax, and take your time getting both yourself and your pet ready.
“If your dog is very excited, take a break after putting on the collar until he calms down!” advises dog trainer Przygoda. Only when the dog can somewhat control himself should you open the door.
Haven’t taken a single step and already frustrated? Don’t worry. You’re already in the middle of leash training exercises. Comforting words from the expert: “If it initially takes 20 minutes before you can start, it will soon only be five,” says Przygoda. And: “The perseverance is worth it.”
Tip 2: Make decisions for your dog
If the dog makes decisions at home, he will likely do so outside as well. Then he not only pulls on the leash and dictates speed and direction but also acts up when encountering other dogs.
Consistency is therefore important. Clear rules should be a given at home. Because the foundation for misbehavior on the leash is often laid during daily interactions at home.
The dog should also pay as much attention as possible to the owner. Small exercises can help: gently cutting off the dog’s path, stopping occasionally, walking backward, circling, changing pace, or weaving, recommends expert Przygoda.
Tip 3: Reflect on your own behavior
If you always keep the dog on a short leash, give harsh commands, or jerk the leash in certain situations, you’re signaling to the dog: “Danger is imminent, the situation can only escalate!” Leash aggression is the logical flight forward.
“Dogs that really seek confrontation often learned this from humans–even if the person is not aware of it,” says trainer Ohligschläger. To avoid such signals in the future, it’s worth reflecting on your behavior.
Tip 4: Pay attention to and respond to dogs’ signals
Dogs communicate very subtly. Often, the person at the other end of the leash misses an entire nonverbal dialogue. And then stress threatens. “Maybe I didn’t even notice that the other dog was already fixating and showing threatening behavior,” says Jeanette Przygoda.
Sometimes a small gesture is enough. And because dogs on a leash have no way to avoid each other and can’t–as they usually would–first circle each other or sniff indifferently somewhere, they go on the offensive. They growl or jump at the leash. “If you then continue pulling on the leash, the dog has a really bad learning experience because he thinks: We survived because I behaved this way,” says the dog trainer.
This helps: don’t approach two dogs head-on; instead, increase the distance and make a small arc.
Tip 5: Work on your own body language
Dogs orient themselves by human contact. Therefore, be open and communicative during tense dog encounters. “I’m always very friendly to other dog owners,” says Andreas Ohligschläger. There’s nothing better than your own “counterproductive” behavior. That is, not engaging with the dog’s energy but positively interacting with others.
The dog expert and animal welfare advocate knows that this is difficult at first. Dog owners aren’t always likable. You might have to step out of your comfort zone, says Ohligschläger. But once you’ve experienced the effect on your own dog, it will become easier each time.
If the dog pulls on the leash, you can also redirect his attention with a ball or tug toy to break the unwanted behavior.
A small stop-and-go game can also curb pulling. As soon as the leash tightens, simply stand still without saying a word. If the dog turns around and comes back, reward him. If he continues and pulls again, stop once more.
Important: Don’t lose patience. Stay consistent. Forget about your smartphone for half an hour and give your attention to your dog. Don’t scold! Don’t overwhelm the dog and don’t skimp on treats and praise. And if nothing helps, it’s no shame to seek help and practice with a dog trainer.
With material from dpa