A dog who drags you down the street is not being rude or "dominant". Pulling is a habit that has worked every time so far, and habits can be swapped for better ones. Everything below uses rewards and patience only. Nothing here needs jerking the lead, shouting or special collars that cause discomfort.
Why dogs pull
Walks are exciting, and dogs walk faster than we do. According to Dogs Trust, the main reason dogs pull is that they have learned it works: every time you take a step while the lead is tight, the pulling gets paid with progress. PDSA adds that some dogs are simply bursting with energy or keen to explore. The fix is the same in every case: teach your dog that a loose lead is the fastest way to get where they want to go, as the RSPCA puts it.
Find your dog's pull trigger
Pick when your dog pulls hardest and where you are practising. The card shows the likely reason, what to do and what to use as a reward.
When does your dog pull hardest?
Where are you practising?
Likely reason:
Try this:
Reward:
Setting:
A starting point, not a diagnosis. Every dog learns at their own pace.
The steps, in order
Reward being close. Start in a quiet room or garden. Reward your dog for standing or sitting beside you, then for following you a few steps. Dogs Trust suggests practising without the lead first.
Stop when the lead tightens. Stand still and stay quiet. Do not pull back or jerk. When the lead goes slack, reward and walk on.
Change direction. If your dog does not turn back, walk a few steps the other way and reward them when they catch up.
Space out the treats. Reward less often as your dog gets the idea, and swap some treats for praise. PDSA suggests small, low-calorie treats and trimming the main meal to make up for them.
Add distractions slowly. Move to quiet streets, then busier ones. Go back an easy step whenever your dog struggles.
Let them sniff
Sniffing is how dogs read the news. Training does not mean a silent, heel-only march: PDSA advises allowing plenty of sniffing and exploring on walks. Think of a smell as a reward you hand out when the lead is loose.
Stop when it's tight, move when it's loose, and let your dog sniff as the prize.
What to look for in gear
Comfort first. A well-fitting flat harness or collar is fine. Dogs Trust says to avoid tools that cause discomfort, and PDSA warns against choke collars. A harness protects the neck of a dog who pulls.
A normal lead. A fixed-length lead is simpler to keep loose and to stop on than an extendable one.
Treats in a pouch. Small and soft is best, so you can reward quickly.
When to ask for help
If your dog lunges, barks, seems scared or is in pain on walks, ask your vet to check for health reasons, then find a qualified reward-based trainer or behaviourist. Sudden changes in how your dog walks are worth a vet visit too.