When you take your dog for a walk, do they always pull back when you are trying to go forward? This can be frustrating and difficult. But why does this happen? Is it because of their breed or personality, are you doing something wrong, or is there something else going on?

Fortunately, it’s pretty simple to explain, and also to train away. Just follow the easy leash training tips in this article, and soon you’ll be able to go on walks without worry. Keep reading to learn “why does my dog pull back when walking?”

How Do I Stop My Dog From Pulling Back on Leash?

To stop your dog from pulling back on the leash, you now know to stop walking immediately. When your dog stops pulling the leash and returns to your side, give them praise, pets, and a small treat.

If your dog is not getting it and continues to pull, or maybe stops pulling but just doesn’t return to your side, start walking in the other direction.

They should quickly get the hint and start following. Stop once they’ve shown they’re heading the direction that you’ve decided on and wait for them to get to your side. Once they do, offer the praise, pets, and a small treat.

With a little time and consistency, your dog should learn not to pull back on the leash during walks. Make sure that anyone else who walks your dog is following the same process, or you’ll constantly be starting over with your walk training.

What your dog has been showing you by not respecting your leadership during walks, is that they don’t feel that you’re in charge.

Their pulling could be saying that they lead the way because they think they make the decisions. They could be saying that they’re out in front because it’s up to them to protect you. They could be saying we’re going in another direction when they’re scared because they don’t think you can protect them.

Whatever the exact reason is, they all say the same thing: I’m in charge and I need to be or bad things will happen. Proper walk training that we’ve covered will go a long ways, but it still won’t fully address their leadership confusion.

While they may not pull on the leash anymore, you’ll probably still be left with numerous other behavioral problems. They bark and don’t listen when you tell them to stop. They tear things up around the house when you leave. The list is endless.

Show your dog properly that you are their leader and that you can handle everything, and you’ll not only stop your dog from pulling back on the leash, but address all those other misbehaviors too.

“Okay, I understand the leash training but how do I do that other stuff?”

Well, you’ve probably heard before that dogs are pack animals, right? In every pack there will be a pack leader, and your dog’s pulling on the leash and other behavioral problems are clear as day signs that they think they are the pack leader.

Become your dog’s pack leader and you’ll be able to stop all these things. You’ll have a stress-free, loving dog who responds quickly to training and listens to your commands. They’ll continue to be a guard dog if that’s what you need them to be, but they’ll actually listen when you tell them to do (or not do) things! Won’t that be nice?

To learn how to become your dog’s pack leader, you should check out an excellent free video series on just that subject by a renowned trainer named Dan. He’ll show you absolutely everything you need to know, and he of course does it all in a 100% humane and loving manner.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t worry if you aren’t experienced with these types of things, because his series is made exactly for people like you. Everything is very easy to follow and teach to your own dog, and he gets right to the point so you can start seeing real results right away!

Why Does My Dog Pull Back on the Leash?

Your dog pulls back on the leash for a variety of possible reasons:

1. They have not been leash trained and do not respect your authority, and want to go in a different direction.
2. They’re tired and just want to go home.
3. They’re scared about something. Maybe it’s a stranger or something else, but whatever it is they don’t trust you with or around it, and they just want to head back to safety (home).
4. They’re trying to protect you. They see something that worries them and while it may not scare them, they feel that it’s their duty to protect you, so they pull you away from it.
5. They’re excited about something they see or smell. A dog on a walk is usually more interested in smells than anything else, so if they pick up the scent of another animal nearby, they may get so excited that they pull back in the direction towards it. This can happen after you’ve already passed an area because the wind has just now given them the scent.

All of these (other than your dog just being tired of course), can be handled easily with training, which we’ll cover in the next two sections.

Should I Stop Walking When My Dog Pulls?

You should stop walking when your dog pulls. Whether your dog pulls on the leash backward or forwards, stop walking immediately when they reach the end of their leash.

It’s a dog’s natural instinct to want to run free, so you can not let your dog dictate which direction you’ll be going, no matter how stubborn they are when on the leash. When you allow them to do so, you reinforce the habit every single time.

Your dog pulling back on the leash in the first place is a clear sign of not respecting your leadership. Walk training will begin to break down that barrier, but you’ll need to go further to make sure they’re respecting you and your decisions at all times.

Keep reading for how to do that, and the next steps to follow after stopping walking when your dog pulls on the leash.

I’m sure you’re eager to get started on leash training so you can stop your dog from pulling back during walks, and also end all their other pack leader issues. Enjoy your newly pleasant walks!