How to stop your dog pulling on the leash
By the Toodle team · Updated · Prices checked daily
Pulling is one of the most common walking problems, and it can be trained with patience and treats. Here are the steps, followed by harnesses, leashes and training gear in stock at the shops we work with.
Loose-leash walking, step by step
Start somewhere boring
Practice in your hallway or yard first, where there's less to pull toward.
Reward the spot by your side
Each time your dog is next to you with a loose leash, mark it with a "yes" or a click and give a small treat right at your leg.
Stop when the leash goes tight
If your dog pulls, stand still. When the leash loosens or they look back at you, praise them and walk on.
Change direction
Turn and walk the other way when your dog surges ahead, and reward them for catching up beside you.
Keep sessions short
A few minutes of practice at a time, a few times a day, works better than one long, frustrating walk.
Make it harder slowly
Once they've got it at home, practice on quiet streets, then busier ones. Bring treats on every walk for a while.
Want the full lesson?
Dog Training for Pulling on the Leash & Recall is a free online course from Alison. The course is free; a certificate is optional and paid, and Toodle may earn a commission if you buy one.
At a glance
We found 18 options in stock from 11 stores, from $6.59 to $59.95.
- Lowest-priced in Harnesses and head halters: LockSafe Harness, $12.50 at Walkee Paws
- Lowest-priced in Leashes: Free Country Dog Walk Essentials Set, $11.00 at Free Country
- Lowest-priced in Treat pouches and clickers: Silicone Dog Treat Dispenser, $12.00 at K9 Sport Sack
- Lowest-priced in Training treats: Nutrisource Little Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats, $6.59 at Only Natural Pet
How we picked
- Harnesses, head halters and standard leashes (no retractables), treat pouches, clickers and soft training treats
- In stock with a current price
- Grouped by kind
Listed from the lowest price. Prices and stock come from each store and are checked through the day. We haven't tested these products ourselves; the facts come from each maker's listing. Stores may pay Toodle a commission; that never changes what's listed or the order. How Toodle makes money
Check each maker's size chart, and fit harnesses so you can slide two fingers under the straps.
Harnesses and head halters
1. Walkee Paws
LockSafe Harness
An over-the-head dog harness with locking side buckles and a slit that lets Walkee Paws legging straps pass through.
- Sizes Small to Large
- Free shipping over $75 at Walkee Paws
$12.50 at Walkee Paws · SmallPrice checked 21 hours ago
Buy at Walkee Paws
2. Halti
Halti No Pull Training Headcollar for Dogs
Adjustable training headcollar offered in numbered sizes.
- 6 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$15.76 at Only Natural Pet · 5Price checked 4 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
3. Big Ass Dog Company
Big Ass Harness
Harness for big dogs with wide padded straps, a grab handle, a reinforced leash ring and reflective webbing.
- Sizes M to 3XL
- 4 colors
- Fits dogs from 30 lb
- Free shipping over $100 at Big Ass Dog Company
$55.95 at Big Ass Dog Company · M / BlackPrice checked 24 hours ago
Buy at Big Ass Dog Company
4. K9 Sport Sack
K9 Sport Harness
A harness that clips into K9 Sport Sack carriers with a magnetic Fidlock buckle, so your dog is secured inside the pack; it also works on its own.
- Sizes Small to Large
- Fits dogs up to 40 lb
$59.95 at K9 Sport Sack · SmallPrice checked 14 hours ago
Buy at K9 Sport Sack
Leashes
5. Free Country
Free Country Dog Walk Essentials Set
A walk set with an adjustable reflective collar, reflective leash, collapsible bowl and poop bag holder.
$11.00 at Free CountryPrice checked 4 hours ago
Buy at Free Country
6. Lupine
Dapper Dog Leash
A nylon leash from Lupine, known for its lifetime guarantee, even against chewing.
- 2 sizes
$13.99 at Doodle Doo Bakery · 1/2 in · 6 ftPrice checked 12 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
7. GreaterGood
Signature Comfort Reflective Leash
A 6 ft purple nylon leash with reflective accents and a padded neoprene handle.
$15.95 at GreaterGoodPrice checked 12 hours ago
Buy at GreaterGood
8. Lupine
Jelly Roll Leash
A nylon leash from Lupine, known for its lifetime guarantee, even against chewing.
$16.99 at Doodle Doo BakeryPrice checked 12 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
9. Lupine
Puppy Love Leash
A nylon leash from Lupine, known for its lifetime guarantee, even against chewing.
$16.99 at Doodle Doo BakeryPrice checked 12 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
10. Lupine
Sea Glass Leash
A nylon leash from Lupine, known for its lifetime guarantee, even against chewing.
$16.99 at Doodle Doo BakeryPrice checked 12 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
Treat pouches and clickers
11. Springer
Silicone Dog Treat Dispenser
A food-grade silicone treat holder: squeeze it to pop out one treat or a few pieces of kibble at a time, for training and walks.
$12.00 at K9 Sport SackPrice checked 14 hours ago
Buy at K9 Sport Sack
12. Healthybud
Silicone Training Treat Pouch
A 3.5 in round silicone treat pouch for training and walks.
$12.00 at HealthybudPrice checked 19 hours ago
Buy at Healthybud
Training treats
13. Nutrisource
Nutrisource Little Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
Small, soft and chewy dog treats in chicken, rabbit, duck or salmon recipes.
- 4 flavors
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$6.59 at Only Natural Pet · Chicken 6 ozPrice checked 17 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
14. Raw Paws Pet Food
Grain-Free Training Treats for Dogs - Peanut Butter Recipe
Grain-Free Training Treats for Dogs - Peanut Butter Recipe from Raw Paws Pet Food, in 6 oz.
- Ships free from Raw Paws Pet Food
$9.99 at Raw Paws Pet FoodPrice checked 22 hours ago
Buy at Raw Paws Pet Food
15. Gnarly Bites
Amp'd Up Training Treats
Small training treats made with real chicken and venison.
$13.00 at Gnarly PetsPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at Gnarly Pets
16. PawCo
Magic Bar Plant-Based Snack Bars
Soft, chewy peanut butter snack bars with pumpkin and chicory root, easy to chew at any age.
- 2 sizes
- 6 flavors
- Free shipping over $40 at PawCo
$15.49 at PawCo · Original · 8-packPrice checked 21 hours ago
Buy at PawCo
17. Raw Paws Pet Food
Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Beef Recipe
Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Beef Recipe from Raw Paws Pet Food, in 6 oz.
- Ships free from Raw Paws Pet Food
$15.99 at Raw Paws Pet FoodPrice checked 22 hours ago
Buy at Raw Paws Pet Food
18. Raw Paws Pet Food
Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Chicken Recipe
Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Chicken Recipe from Raw Paws Pet Food, in 6 oz.
- Ships free from Raw Paws Pet Food
$15.99 at Raw Paws Pet FoodPrice checked 22 hours ago
Buy at Raw Paws Pet Food
Compare them side by side
| Product | Kind | Sizes | Price | Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LockSafe Harness | Harnesses and head halters | Small to Large | $12.50 | Walkee Paws |
| Halti No Pull Training Headcollar for Dogs | Harnesses and head halters | 6 sizes | $15.76 | Only Natural Pet |
| Big Ass Harness | Harnesses and head halters | M to 3XL | $55.95 | Big Ass Dog Company |
| K9 Sport Harness | Harnesses and head halters | Small to Large | $59.95 | K9 Sport Sack |
| Free Country Dog Walk Essentials Set | Leashes | One size | $11 | Free Country |
| Dapper Dog Leash | Leashes | 2 sizes | $13.99 | Doodle Doo Bakery |
| Signature Comfort Reflective Leash | Leashes | One size | $15.95 | GreaterGood |
| Jelly Roll Leash | Leashes | One size | $16.99 | Doodle Doo Bakery |
| Puppy Love Leash | Leashes | One size | $16.99 | Doodle Doo Bakery |
| Sea Glass Leash | Leashes | One size | $16.99 | Doodle Doo Bakery |
| Silicone Dog Treat Dispenser | Treat pouches and clickers | One size | $12 | K9 Sport Sack |
| Silicone Training Treat Pouch | Treat pouches and clickers | One size | $12 | Healthybud |
| Nutrisource Little Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats | Training treats | 4 options | $6.59 | Only Natural Pet |
| Grain-Free Training Treats for Dogs - Peanut Butter Recipe | Training treats | One size | $9.99 | Raw Paws Pet Food |
| Amp'd Up Training Treats | Training treats | One size | $13 | Gnarly Pets |
| Magic Bar Plant-Based Snack Bars | Training treats | 2 sizes | $15.49 | PawCo |
| Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Beef Recipe | Training treats | One size | $15.99 | Raw Paws Pet Food |
| Grain-Free Soft Sausage Treats for Dogs & Cats - Chicken Recipe | Training treats | One size | $15.99 | Raw Paws Pet Food |
Does a harness help?
A front-clip harness turns your dog toward you when they pull, which many owners find makes training easier. Head halters give more steering, but take some getting used to. Either way, they're a help while you train, not a replacement for it.
Why we left out retractable leashes
A retractable leash is always a little tight, so it rewards pulling. A standard 4 to 6 foot leash is best while you're teaching loose-leash walking.
Questions
- What's the best harness for a dog that pulls?
- Many trainers suggest a front-clip harness, which turns your dog back toward you when they pull. Fit matters more than brand.
- How long does it take to stop leash pulling?
- It depends on the dog and how often you practice. Short daily sessions usually show progress within a few weeks.
- Should I use a retractable leash?
- Not while training: the constant tension rewards pulling. Use a standard 4 to 6 foot leash.