My Husky Pulls On a Walk And How We Are Tackling It

So far, we've faced some challenges when it comes to walking Loki. 

Of course - he's a sled dog! Siberian Huskies are bred to pull. On top of this, we've had to work through some anxiety with Loki on walks which seems to make his pulling worse and unpredictable at times. But as you're probably aware, pulling on the lead can be dangerous especially with such a strong dog - not just for me but for him too. 

We've tried all kinds of tools and tricks, but so far we're having the most success with 'Loose Lead Walking'. 

Loose Lead Walking

The principle of loose lead walking is to teach a dog to walk calmly on a leash without pulling, lunging, or otherwise behaving in an undesirable manner on a walk. Easier said than done right? 

The technique is based on positive reinforcement, which means that the dog is rewarded for exhibiting the desired behavior. Rewarding the positive behaviour creates a positive association with not pulling, and this makes it more likely for the dog to repeat the behaviour you are rewarding.

Steps to Loose Lead Walking

If you want to give loose lead walking a go, here are some basic steps in brief:

  1. Start with a well-fitted collar or harness and a sturdy leash. We use a Julius K9 harness with a control Y belt so we can attach the lead to the D ring at his chest. 
  2. Choose a quiet and low-stimulus environment, to begin with.
  3. Begin walking at a comfortable pace, keeping the leash slack and your arm relaxed.
  4. When your dog walks calmly beside you, reward them with praise and a treat.
  5. Give the treat near the side of your leg where they are walking - this means you don't encourage your pooch to cut you off and walk in front of you to get the treat. They also learn good things happen when they are walking by your side!
  6. Choose medium to high-value treats, I had little success before doing this. We opt for sprats which Loki LOVES and this made a big difference!
  7. If your dog starts to pull, stop walking and wait for them to return to your side. When they do, reward them with praise and a treat.
  8. Resume walking, and continue to reward your dog for walking calmly beside you.
  9. Repeat the above steps consistently, using the same commands and rewards every time you walk your dog.
  10. If your dog continues to pull or becomes distracted, it is very important to remember to stop walking and wait for them to return to your side. Be patient, and do not move until your dog is back in the desired position.
  11. Continue to practice loose lead walking in different environments, gradually increasing the level of stimulation as your dog becomes more proficient.
  12. Over time, your dog will develop the habit of walking calmly beside you, making walks more enjoyable for both you and your pet. You can reduce the treat-giving frequency over time too.

Remember to be patient, and consistent. Always reward positive behaviour throughout the training process. Doing so can help to teach your dog to walk on a lead calmly. 

However, it is important to remember no single dog's journey to walking well will be the same as the next. I've tried many walking tools and tricks which have apparently worked wonders for other dogs, whereas I have had no luck with Loki. It can be disheartening, but you'll get there! Some dogs take to things in an instant, and with others, you may find you need help from a trainer or a different technique.

Loki's Progress

In following this consistently, we've reduced Loki's pull significantly. He used to pull constantly but I no longer feel like my arm is going to fall off after a walk. He seems less anxious too. I believe this is because he's less focussed on his environment and more focused on me and his next reward. 

We still have issues when there are distractions, but we're working on it. I genuinely never thought we would get where we are today with his walking, especially after so many failures trying different walking tools in the past. I'm very proud of my pooch, and if you're reading this and are having similar problems I wish you all the luck in the future! You'll get there eventually. 

Keep an eye on us over at Instagram, we'll be documenting Loki's progress over time @lifewithlokiUK 

See you around! 

- Charlotte & Loki


Location: United Kingdom

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