Leash training: I just want the dog to stop pulling!
"Stop pulling!" "Stay here!" "Hold on, stop, slow down!", "Not there, this way!" – You just want to take a relaxing after-work stroll with your four-legged friend, but instead, you're being dragged like a human anchor right through the woods? Don't worry: You're not alone – and there's a very simple solution to your problem!
The answer is heelwork. Heelwork is not just for certain breeds or perfectionists—it's necessary for anyone who wants to walk their dog without being pulled. Unlike leash training, heelwork gives you and your dog a clear, shared understanding, making walks enjoyable and relaxed.
Many believe leash training is a basic, easy skill, while heelwork is for high-achieving or athletic dogs. So, leash training is seen as much easier than heelwork.
Here's the key point: It's actually easier for your dog to understand heelwork than to master polite leash walking. Let me explain why:
Why is heelwork easier for your dog to understand
Heelwork is clearly defined. Your dog knows exactly where to walk: by your leg. He recognizes his heelwork ritual and knows immediately: "Okay, now I'll go to your leg, now we'll do heelwork." You provide a clear structure – a starting signal, a position, and an ending ritual – so your dog understands the framework. Before and after, he can sniff, but right now, he walks by your heel. Your dog understands: "I'll stay here now, everything is fine," and by avoiding unnecessary guesswork, you also prevent unnecessary problems.
Fun fact: Because this type of training creates a real connection between you and your dog, you may find your dog voluntarily comes into the heel position and walks with you, making walks more enjoyable and stress-free.
You also develop footwork step by step, making progress visible. Celebrate small successes along the way instead of waiting for perfection everywhere.
Leash training seems simple: "My dog just shouldn't pull." However, it's much more challenging for you and your dog than it appears. For example, consider poison bait training. You want your dog to stop eating things off the ground. While this is logical for you, it's different for your dog: "Leftover kebab, can I have that?" "No kebab, but there's sausage—I'll eat that." "Here's something else, yum! Was I not allowed to eat things on the sidewalk? Is food in the park okay?"
You’ll need to practice many situations before "don’t eat" means not eating anything. Dogs learn contextually, factoring in location and circumstance.
Leash training takes longer since your dog must rule out many factors. Instead of linking correction to pulling, he might think it’s because of a bird, the park, a treat, or asphalt. It’s hard for your dog to know you just want him to stop pulling—he has to guess why he’s being corrected.
We humans often correct inconsistently, based on our mood. Ask yourself: what exactly is pulling? There are big differences—light tugging, jerks, slack leashes. Different leash lengths confuse things further: your dog wonders why the leash is tightened—another dog, a car, or the road?
In short, your dog must think and interpret a lot, as leash manners are needed in many situations and conditions. It's not that he dislikes leash manners; he just doesn't understand what you want from him.
Your dog tries, but by the time he realizes pulling is unwanted, your walk is over, your arm is longer, and you need a break even more.
Conclusion: Leash training is much more difficult than heelwork
Leash training is often a bit of a guessing game for your dog. It varies a lot depending on the day and the situation, is confusing, and usually leads to frustration. Heelwork, on the other hand, offers clear rules and a visible structure, making it easy for both you and your dog to understand. You're always in the same position, use the same routines, and have the same expectation: now it's time for heelwork – and your dog knows exactly what that means.
If you want relaxed walks and a dog that doesn't pull, heelwork is the practical, effective answer. It's not just about appearance or sport; it's the easier, clearer approach for both you and your dog—one signal, one position, confident walks.