In a hurry?
- Equipment manages pulling; training fixes it. Expect to teach a loose lead whatever you buy.
- A well-fitted harness with a front clip gives you more control and takes pressure off the neck while you train.
- A comfortable flat collar is for ID tags and a backup clip, not for hauling a dog back.
- Avoid kit that works by causing pain. It hides the problem and can make a worried dog reactive.
Alex can help with this: Lead pulling.
Want Alex to look at your dog?
Four quick questions. We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour.
Thanks, .
We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour, by email.
What happens next:
- Alex asks what happens and when. A short video helps, but never set your dog up to react just to film it.
- He tells you where he'd start and what it costs.
- You agree a time, at your home or at the field.
If your dog has bitten, keep them behind a gate or on a lead until you’ve spoken.
Nothing by the next working day? Check your spam folder, or email hello@essexdogtrainer.co.uk.
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Most owners I meet have a drawer full of leads and harnesses that didn't work. That isn't their fault: no piece of kit can teach a dog to walk beside you. What the right kit does is keep your dog comfortable and give you enough control to teach it.
Why kit alone never fixes pulling
Pulling works for your dog: every time the lead goes tight and you keep walking, your dog gets where it wanted to go. The fix is to make pulling stop working and loose-lead walking pay off. My step-by-step method is in how to stop a dog pulling on the lead.
The harness: what to look for
- Fit: two fingers under every strap, and nothing rubbing behind the front legs.
- Clips: a front clip on the chest turns your dog gently towards you when they pull; a back clip is better for a long line.
- Use both: a lead with a clip at each end, one on the harness and one on the collar, gives you a safe backup with a strong dog.
The collar
A flat collar that fits well (two fingers underneath) carries the ID tag the law requires and a backup clip. It shouldn't be what you pull against. I don't use collars designed to tighten painfully or to correct a dog, and I'd ask you not to either.
The lead
A grippy lead about 1.2 to 2 metres long, which you can hold comfortably for an hour, is ideal while you train. Retractable leads teach a dog that pulling extends the lead, so leave them at home until the pulling has gone.
Rewards on the walk
Loose-lead walking is built on lots of well-timed rewards at your side. A treat pouch on your belt means you can reward the instant the lead goes slack.
If your dog pulls towards other dogs and then barks or lunges, that's often reactivity, not just pulling, and it needs a different plan. Read about reactive dog training.
If the kit is sorted and your dog still drags you, Alex can fix the pulling itself: see lead pulling training in Essex. For a dog that won't come back off the lead, see recall training.
Where we buy our kit: k9store.co.uk. Any well-made equivalent works just as well.
For Cockapoos specifically, see Cockapoo recall and lead training.
Questions owners ask
Will a harness make my dog pull more?
A back-clip harness can make pulling more comfortable for some dogs. A front-clip harness, plus training, usually helps. The training is what changes the habit.
What size lead is best?
About 1.2 to 2 metres for everyday walking while you train, and a 5 to 10 metre long line on a harness for recall practice in open space.
Can I bring my own kit to a session?
Yes, please do. I'll check the fit and show you how to hold the lead so your dog learns faster with the kit you'll actually use.
Google review
Had first training session this week with my 6 month old puppy! She has come away with positive behaviours - walking to heel and recalling - that I thought would take weeks or months to teach. …
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Had first training session this week with my 6 month old puppy! She has come away with positive behaviours - walking to heel and recalling - that I thought would take weeks or months to teach. Alex is so knowledgable, was non-judgemental and has empowered me with knowledge and skills to use every day with my puppy. I’ve gone from confidence on the floor, dreading walks, to feeling positive and confident. We’ll definitely have more sessions with Alex in the future. My only regret is not doing this sooner with my puppy!
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Last updated . This post is general advice, not a diagnosis. If your dog may be unwell or in pain, please see your vet.