18/05/2026
Why Leash Tugging May Stop Pulling — But Doesn’t Teach the Dog
When a dog pulls on the leash, it can be tempting to correct the behaviour with leash tugs or jerks because this often appears to stop the pulling quickly. However, while this approach may suppress the behaviour in the moment, it does not teach the dog why pulling is undesirable or what they should do instead.
From a positive reinforcement training perspective, it is important to understand the difference between suppressing behaviour and truly changing behaviour through learning and understanding.
Suppression vs Learning
Leash corrections may interrupt pulling because the dog wants to avoid the discomfort or surprise of the tug. This can create the appearance of fast results. However, the underlying motivation for the pulling often remains unchanged.
Dogs pull on the leash for many reasons, including:
Excitement
Curiosity
Frustration
Anxiety
Wanting to greet another dog or person
Following a scent
Moving away from something worrying
Lack of loose leash walking skills
If the emotional or motivational cause is not addressed, the behaviour is likely to return — especially in more distracting or emotionally arousing environments.
Positive reinforcement training focuses on teaching the dog:
what behaviour is desired,
how to succeed,
and how to regulate themselves in challenging situations.
This creates long-term behavioural change rather than temporary suppression.
Dogs May Associate the Tug with the Wrong Thing
One of the biggest risks with leash corrections is that dogs may not associate the discomfort with their own pulling behaviour.
Dogs learn through associations, and in many situations, they connect experiences with whatever is happening around them at that exact moment.
For example, if a leash tug occurs while the dog is:
looking at another dog,
noticing a cyclist,
hearing a loud noise,
smelling something interesting,
or approaching a person,
the dog may associate the unpleasant experience with that trigger instead of with the pulling itself.
Over time, this can create negative emotional associations with things in the environment.
How Leash Corrections Can Contribute to Reactivity
Repeated unpleasant experiences around certain triggers can contribute to leash reactivity.
For example:
A dog sees another dog.
The dog becomes excited or pulls forward.
The leash tightens or the owner jerks the leash.
The dog experiences discomfort or frustration.
Eventually, the dog may begin to anticipate that discomfort whenever another dog appears. This can lead to:
barking,
lunging,
frustration,
defensive behaviour,
anxiety,
or heightened arousal on leash.
In many cases, the original problem was not aggression, but repeated negative associations formed during walks.
Impact on the Human–Dog Relationship
Dogs thrive when they feel safe, understood, and able to trust their handler for guidance.
Frequent leash corrections can damage this trust because the dog may begin to see the handler as unpredictable or associated with discomfort. This can affect:
confidence,
engagement,
willingness to offer behaviour,
emotional security,
and the overall relationship between dog and owner.
Positive reinforcement training aims to strengthen the bond between dog and handler through:
clear communication,
trust,
cooperation,
and reinforcement of desired behaviours.
What to Teach Instead
Rather than punishing pulling, modern reward-based training focuses on:
teaching loose leash walking skills,
reinforcing proximity and check-ins (see also Engage-Disengage),
helping the dog remain emotionally regulated,
meeting the dog’s physical and emotional needs,
and gradually building success in distracting environments.
This approach may take more consistency and patience initially, but it creates:
lasting behavioural change,
better emotional wellbeing,
improved focus,
and a stronger relationship between dog and owner.
The goal is not simply for the dog to stop pulling out of fear or avoidance, but for the dog to understand how to walk calmly and comfortably alongside their handler.
