04/29/2026
Picture this: you're heading out for a walk. Halfway down the driveway your dog is already at the end of the leash, dragging you toward… something. A leaf? A smell? The vibes? Who knows.
It's easy to look at that and think "why does she pull so much?" and get frustrated because you can't seem to fix it.
But the behavior we actually see is just the tip of the iceberg 🧊
Underneath that one behavior, there's a whole lot going on.
In the case of pulling on leash, we can ask...
🐾 Did they sleep well last night, or are they running on fumes?
🐾 Are they sore somewhere you don't know about?
🐾 Did they get any mental enrichment today, or is this their only outlet?
🐾 Has pulling worked for them in the past? (Spoiler: yes. That's why they're doing it.)
🐾 Is the environment full of new sights, sounds, and smells?
🐾 Are they in a fear period and feeling extra "on?"
🐾 Is the harness or collar uncomfortable?
🐾 Did three exciting things just happen back-to-back, and now they're stacked up and over threshold?
When we only address the pulling, we're working at the tip and ignoring everything underneath. That's why so many people feel stuck.
The good news: once you start looking below the surface, the picture gets clearer and progress can be made.
Curious what's under your pup's iceberg? Shoot us a message - we can help!
