Mastering Loose-Lead Walking
Loose-lead walking: the magical moment where your dog strolls by your side without yanking your arm out of its socket or dragging you into the nearest bush. It sounds like a dream, but trust me, it is possible—and it doesn’t have to leave you and your dog frustrated.
As the owner of Super Woofers in WA, I’ve seen plenty of techniques that claim to fix pulling. One of the most common is to stop every time the lead goes tight and wait until it’s loose before moving forward. In theory, it’s brilliant. In practice? It often leads to endless stand-offs that leave you and your dog glaring at each other in the middle of the street.
So, instead of a battle of wills, here’s my frustration-free three-step method to mastering loose-lead walking.
What Is Loose-Lead Walking, Anyway?
Loose-lead walking is all about your dog strolling next to or slightly ahead of you without pulling. There should be no tension in the lead, allowing your dog to sniff too. It’s different from the more formal “heel,” where your dog sticks to your side like glue, laser-focused on you.
Loose-lead walking is the everyday goal, giving your dog enough freedom to sniff and explore while still keeping walks enjoyable and controlled.
The Super Woofers 3-Step Loose-Lead Method
Forget the endless stop and start games—this step-by-step method is designed to teach your dog the art of walking politely, with minimal frustration for both of you.
Step 1: The Focus Game (AKA the Up-Down Game)
Before we even think about walking, we need to get your dog’s attention. Enter the focus game: a simple exercise where your dog learns to look to you for guidance.
Here’s how to do it:
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Hold a handful of treats.
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Drop one on the ground and let your dog eat it.
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The moment they look back at you, mark the behaviour with a word like “yes” or a clicker, then drop another treat.
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Repeat this several times until your dog gets into the rhythm of eating, looking at you, and earning a reward.
Why this works: Dogs are pros at ignoring us when the world is more exciting. This game teaches them that checking in with you is always worth it. Practise this regularly in quiet environments and use it as a warm-up in new or distracting areas.
Step 2: Walking Backwards
Now that your dog knows to focus on you, it’s time to add movement. But instead of jumping straight into walking forward (where dogs love to pull), we make things easier by walking backwards.
Here’s what to do:
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Stand facing your dog with treats ready.
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Take a step backwards and encourage your dog to follow you. When they do, mark the behaviour and reward with a treat.
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Keep moving backwards in short bursts, rewarding your dog every few steps for staying with you.
Why this works: Walking backwards puts you in front of your dog, making it easier for them to focus on you and easier for you to reward them quickly. Plus, it’s great fun and builds a strong foundation for step 3.
Step 3: Walking by Your Side
Once your dog can follow you confidently while you’re walking backwards, it’s time to turn things around—literally.
Here’s how:
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Stand with your dog by your side.
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Take a few steps forward, rewarding your dog frequently for staying with you and keeping the lead loose.
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Gradually increase the distance between rewards as your dog gets better at staying beside you.
Why this works: By starting with the focus game and walking backwards, your dog has already learned to pay attention to you and follow your lead. Now you’re simply transferring those skills to a traditional walking position.
How Long Does It Take to Train Loose-Lead Walking?
Loose-lead walking isn’t an overnight skill—it takes consistent practice and patience. Some dogs pick it up in a few weeks, while others may need months, especially in high-distraction environments.
But here’s the secret: Incorporate sniffari breaks into your walks. These are moments where you let your dog sniff and explore freely on the lead. Not only does this give them mental stimulation and an outlet for their energy, but it also keeps them happy and engaged with the walk overall.
Additionally, using a two-point Y-front harness with both a front and top clip is a game-changer. During training, clip the lead to the top clip to focus on teaching loose-lead walking. Use the front clip during everyday strolls to discourage pulling until the top clip becomes reliable. This system gives you flexibility while your dog learns.
The Best Kit for Loose-Lead Walking
Having the right kit can make all the difference. Here’s what I recommend:
Two-Point Y-Front Harness
This harness style features both a front and top clip, allowing for what we call “equipment discrimination”—a clever way to prevent confusion caused by human inconsistency!
Here’s how it works:
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Top clip: Use this clip when actively training loose-lead walking.
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Front clip: Use this clip when you’re not specifically training loose-lead walking but still want better control.
By reserving the top clip for training sessions, your dog learns to associate it with the "rules" of loose-lead walking, much like how service dogs understand the difference between "on duty" (wearing their coat) and "off duty" (coat off). When the lead is attached to the front clip, it won’t undo your hard work—it simply signals to your dog that they’re in a more relaxed mode.
Standard Lead (1.5+ Metres)
Choose a lead that’s long enough to give your dog some freedom (1.5 to 2 metres) but short enough to maintain control. Steer clear of retractable leads—they’re counterproductive for loose-lead training because they always have tension, encouraging your dog to pull. A standard lead helps reinforce the relaxed “J” shape you want on your walks.
Treat pouch
Keep treats handy for quick rewards. Bonus points if it’s easy to access with one hand.
Why Treats Are Crucial for Success
Training is all about positive reinforcement—rewarding the behaviours you want to see more of. Snacks are a great motivator, especially when your dog is learning something new.
Use high-value treats (like chicken, cheese, or sausage) during the initial stages or in distracting environments. As your dog gets the hang of loose-lead walking, you can gradually reduce the frequency of snacks. But don’t be tempted to do this too soon. It’s often hard for dogs to walk exactly at our pace and stay focused the whole time. Rewarding your bestie will speed your progress along.
When to Call in a Trainer
If loose-lead walking feels like an impossible dream or you’re not making progress, a professional trainer can help. They can:
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Tailor techniques to your dog’s unique personality.
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Help you troubleshoot challenges like lunging or overexcitement.
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Guide you through high-distraction environments.