Why Your Dog Pulls on the Leash (And Why It Feels Like a Tug of War)
I remember walking my Rottweiler in the park thinking everything was fine—until the next second I was staring up at the sky and he was standing over me, panting like nothing happened.
If you’ve ever been dragged, tripped, or pulled around by your dog on a walk, you’re not alone.
Leash pulling is one of the most common problems I see, and it doesn’t matter if the dog is big or small. I’ve seen large dogs pull people off their feet and small dogs trip people up just from darting side to side.
Most people think leash pulling is just a bad habit, but it’s usually not that simple.
What I see all the time is owners trying to pull back while the dog pulls forward—and now you’ve got a full-blown tug of war happening in the middle of your walk.
The problem is, dogs naturally lean into pressure. So the more you pull, the more they pull. It turns into a constant battle, and before long, walks become frustrating and something you start to dread instead of enjoy.
It’s not about strength. It’s about communication, timing, and consistency.
When those pieces aren’t in place, the dog keeps doing what works for them—and pulling gets them exactly where they want to go.
This is exactly what I walk owners through step by step in a consultation—how to handle your dog in real time so walks stop feeling like a struggle.
If your dog is pulling, dragging, or making walks stressful, start with a consultation.