3 Mistakes Making Leash Pulling Worse

By Sam Whitfield · Last updated July 2026

Most leash pulling isn't stubbornness — it's a pattern that gets accidentally reinforced, walk after walk. A few common habits make pulling worse without anyone meaning to.

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Mistake 1: Tightening The Leash When They Pull

The instinct is to pull back the moment your dog surges forward. But dogs have an opposition reflex — pressure against their body makes them push back into it, not away from it. A tug-of-war on the leash often increases forward pulling rather than stopping it.

Mistake 2: Letting The Walk Continue While They're Pulling

If the walk keeps moving forward while the leash is tight, your dog just learned that pulling works. Every step taken on a tight leash quietly rewards the exact behaviour you're trying to stop, even if it doesn't feel that way in the moment.

Mistake 3: Switching Gear Instead Of Changing The Pattern

A new harness or head halter can make pulling more manageable, but gear alone doesn't teach your dog what to do instead. Without a consistent stop-and-reward pattern, most dogs go right back to pulling once they adjust to the new equipment.

Why does my dog pull harder when I pull back?

Dogs have an opposition reflex — pressure against their body naturally makes them push back into it. Pulling back on the leash usually increases forward pressure instead of reducing it.

Will a different harness fix leash pulling on its own?

Gear like a front-clip harness can reduce pulling power, but it does not teach your dog why pulling doesn't work. Pairing the right gear with a consistent stop-and-reward pattern gets longer-lasting results.

How long does it take to stop leash pulling?

Many dogs show a noticeable change within one to two weeks of consistent short walks, though dogs with a long pulling habit may take longer to fully relax into a loose leash.

Is a retractable leash bad for leash training?

Retractable leashes make it hard to keep consistent tension and timing, which are both important while you're teaching loose-leash walking. A standard fixed-length leash makes the pattern easier to teach.

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