Struggling with puppy pulling on lead? You’re not alone. Many owners find their puppy walks beautifully during class—but the minute they step outside the training field, the lead goes tight and the pulling begins.
It’s frustrating, especially when you’ve just spent an hour perfecting heelwork. But here’s the thing: if you only practise heelwork in class, your puppy learns it’s something they do *in that setting only*. Everywhere else? Free-for-all.
Let’s break down why puppy pulling on lead happens and what you can do to fix it.
Why Puppy Pulling on Lead Happens Before Class
Dogs are creatures of habit. If your puppy pulls from the car to the training field every week—and gets there faster because of it—they’ve learned that pulling *works*. Even if they walk nicely once class starts, those first five minutes have already set the tone.
Consistency is key. If your dog learns that loose-lead walking only applies ‘between the fence posts’, they won’t generalise the behaviour elsewhere. Training needs to start the moment the lead clips on—not when you reach the edge of the field.
Fixing Puppy Pulling on Lead: Real-Life Training Tips
- Start at the Car Door
Training begins the second your puppy steps out of the vehicle. Reward calm behaviour, use your ‘Catch-Up’ game, and reinforce focus before you’ve even started walking to the field. - Use the Walk to Class as a Training Opportunity
Don’t let your dog drag you to the field. Use the same strategies you use in class: reward at heel, change direction, use pattern games. This is ‘real life’ training in action. - Don’t Let Pulling Become a Habit
If your pup pulls all the way to class and then gets to do the fun stuff, they’ll keep pulling. Interrupt the pattern. Pause. Reward when the lead is slack. Make getting to the field *depend* on walking nicely. - Practise in Different Contexts
Field training is great, but it’s not the only place your dog walks on a lead. Reinforce heelwork in the car park, on your driveway, down your street—anywhere you go together. - Reinforce Small Wins
Don’t wait for perfection. Reward any moment your puppy makes the right choice—like checking in with you, slowing down, or walking beside you for a few steps. That’s where real progress happens.
How to Stop Puppy Pulling on Lead Long-Term
Heelwork that only works in class isn’t very useful. But heelwork that starts at the car door? That builds real-life skills. The kind you can use on walks, in town, or on shoot day when it matters most.
If you’re dealing with puppy pulling on lead, the solution isn’t just found in class—it starts the moment the lead goes on. For more guidance, check out our puppy training programmes at https://developyourdog.co.uk/puppy-courses
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