The easiest dogs to train are smart, eager to please, and enjoy spending time with their owners. If you're looking for a canine companion who loves to learn and is highly motivated, the breeds on this list are a great place to start.

"Dogs that are easy to train usually share similar characteristics,” explains expert vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan. "Easy-to-train breeds are naturally intelligent, meaning they are quick to learn. They are also people pleasers and enjoy human companionship. They respond well to positive reinforcement and are eager to receive praise and attention from their owner."

Easy-to-train breeds are a particularly good choice if you're a first-time dog owner, as it means you can more easily avoid a range of unwelcome behaviors, such as jumping up, pulling on the leash, and excessive barking. As long as you use positive reinforcement, such as the best dog treats, you'll find your new fur friend quickly masters new commands.

"The most important thing with any dog breed, however, is how you approach their training," says Dr MacMillan. "A patient, consistent, and positive approach is needed to get the best out of any dog."

With that in mind, here are 20 of the easiest dogs to train – and a few of them may just surprise you!

Easiest dogs to train

1. Border Collie

A whip-smart workaholic who's never happier than when they have a job to do, the energetic Border Collie is one of the best farm dogs. Athletic and agile with keen herding abilities, they are muscular yet nimble dogs who excel in obedience and agility training. They have also been named as the smartest dog breed.

Border Collies need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy, and because of that, they're best suited to homes with lots of space for them to run around and owners who have the time and energy to keep them occupied. They're very affectionate with those they love, but can be reserved with strangers.

2. Poodle

They may look pretty as a picture, but don't let their outward appearance fool you – the poodle is a highly intelligent dog who's not afraid of getting their paws dirty! Regardless of whether you adopt a toy poodle, miniature poodle, or standard poodle, expect a canine companion who is active, affectionate, and an absolute breeze to train.

Poodles are very social dogs who view strangers as people they just haven't made a friend out of yet. They are playful, adaptable, and great with children, and their friendly and fun-loving nature makes them a joy to be around.

Just be aware that they can become easily bored if they're not given enough physical and mental stimulation, so investing in a few of the best dog puzzle toys will come in handy for those times when you're too busy to play.

3. German Shepherd

Often found working alongside the police and military, the German Shepherd is about as smart as they come. A tireless breed that wants nothing more than to please its owners, this courageous and confident canine has an outstanding work ethic and is one of the greatest all-purpose dogs around.

Devoted and steady in temperament, the German Shepherd is a large and muscular dog capable of reaching great speeds. They are quick learners and move through the world with a noble and dignified air. This breed won't hesitate to put their life on the line for those they love, and while they are watchful and wary of strangers, they are incredibly affectionate with their human family.

4. Golden retriever

One of the world's most beloved family dogs, the lovable, friendly, and eager-to-please golden retriever is a delight to have in the home. As beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside, this loyal and exuberant pup adores children and gets on famously with other dogs making them one of the best family dogs.

Hard workers who can be found in a variety of roles, including search and rescue, as guides for the blind, and in hunting and field work, this breed excels at picking up new commands and never fails to execute the task that's asked of them. They have a true zest for life and love to stay active, so be sure to check out these fun ways to workout with your pet to keep things interesting for you both!

5. Doberman Pinscher

Looking for a fearless and loyal companion? The Doberman Pinscher is hard to beat. With a reputation for being a quick learner who never forgets what they've learned, this breed is popular with the police and military because they're so obedient and easy to train.

Energetic and alert, the watchful Doberman Pinscher is a curious dog who likes to be kept busy. Their brains and bodies need to be frequently exercised, because if bored and left to their own devices, they have a tendency to be destructive. Dobermans are very loving dogs, but they have a strong prey drive and are wary of strangers, so early training and socialization are key.

6. Shetland Sheepdog

When it comes to the most beautiful dog breeds, it's hard not to award that crown to the Shetland Sheepdog. A striking dog with a long coat that comes in a range of gorgeous markings, the sheltie (as they're affectionately known) is a small herding dog who hails from the Shetland Islands in Scotland.

An incredibly bright breed who is quick to learn and highly obedient, they excel in competitive sporting events and are easy to train thanks to their eager-to-please nature. Affectionate dogs who are wonderful with children and get on famously with other canines, the sheltie is playful and adaptable, but they do have a tendency to bark, so they're not the best choice if you live in an apartment!

7. Labrador Retriever

When it comes to the most popular dog breeds in the US, the Labrador Retriever just misses out on the title, coming in at number two. A firm favorite amongst families, the versatile Labrador Retriever is a fast learner with an eager-to-please personality and a gentle temperament.

Friendly, affectionate, and outgoing, this breed loves children and other dogs and is kind to strangers. High-spirited and enthusiastic dogs, they are very athletic and adore hiking, swimming, and games of fetch. Just a word of warning – Labradors are known for eating things they shouldn't, so be sure to keep your favorite clothes and shoes out of reach!

8. Papillon

Papillons measure around 8-11 inches in height and weigh no more than 10 pounds, but although they're small, they're athletic, curious, and happy dogs who are much more robust than they look!

Quick studies who love to learn, you'll have no trouble training a papillon, and they're also one of the most adaptable dog breeds around. Content to live in both warm and cool climates, in an apartment in the city or a home in the country, they have a very flexible nature and adore being part of family life.

Papillons like mastering new things, so brushing up on a few quick and easy tricks to teach your dog will go down a treat with this breed.

9. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler has been given an unfair reputation over the years, with many viewing them as aggressive. And yes, while they are natural protectors with strong guarding instincts, as with all breeds, when trained and socialized correctly from a young age, Rottweilers can make wonderful family companions.

Known for having clown-like personalities, Rottweilers are very affectionate with their chosen humans and are typically quiet, gentle, and calm dogs who often like to follow their owners around the house.

This breed thrives when they have a job to do, which means they respond brilliantly to training. Smart, eager to please, and a quick study, Rottweilers like positive reinforcement, so be sure to have plenty of treats on hand.

10. Australian Cattle Dog

A medium-sized herding dog with almost inexhaustible energy levels, the Australian Cattle dog is known for being an incredibly intelligent breed that loves to be on the go. This breed likes to have a sense of purpose, and they need a lot of exercise (think hiking, running, fetch, agility training, and games), so they're not suited to apartments or homes without yards.

However, if you have the time and energy to devote to this breed, the Australian Cattle dog will reward you with a fierce devotion. They tend to attach very strongly to one person and bond deeply with them, spending their lives loving and protecting them. Because of that, they don't like being left alone and need to be part of a home where someone can be with them at all times. This breed is highly trainable, but they can be stubborn, so you'll need a firm but gentle hand.

11. Collie

A stunning breed with a deep fondness for children, the majestic collie is a razor-sharp dog with bucket loads of smarts. Fast, athletic, and a breeze to train, they thrive on human companionship and enjoy being a part of all aspects of family life. Affectionate and energetic dogs, they need at least an hour of exercise each day to keep them happy and healthy, and particularly excel at obedience and agility work.

Because of their high intelligence and their need for a lot of mental and physical stimulation, collies can become destructive when they're bored. Brain games can be great for this breed when you're too busy to play, and teaching them some new tricks will also go down a treat.

12. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

They may be low-set, but don't let that fool you – the little Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one powerful pup! A lively herder with an agreeable nature, this breed is loving and loyal where their owners are concerned, but they're also a vigilant watchdog with a big bark. Bold yet kind, they are bright and sensitive dogs who adapt well to almost any living situation.

Eager to please their humans, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a dream to train, and they enjoy learning new things. They do need a lot of mental stimulation to keep them occupied, so investing in some puzzle toys for those times when you're too busy to play will be well worth it – otherwise, you may just find that boredom drives them to dig up your flower beds or chew your favorite slippers!

13. Miniature schnauzer

Standing 12–14 inches in height and weighing 11–20 pounds, the miniature schnauzer is one of the best small dog breeds thanks to their smart, affectionate, and obedient nature. Friendly dogs who are great with children and get on well with other animals, the miniature schnauzer is playful, protective, and highly adaptable.

Watchful and fearless, they may be little, but this breed has a big dog bark, so that's something worth considering if you live in an apartment. They also need a lot of exercise, at least an hour a day, and plenty of mental stimulation to ensure their brains get a good workout.

Spunky dogs who want to please their owners they're amenable to many types of training, and as long as you keep things fun, they'll pick up new commands quickly.

14. English Springer Spaniel

A lively gundog with an enthusiastic personality, the energetic English Springer Spaniel will certainly keep you on your toes! Built to hunt, this hardworking breed has both brains and beauty, not to mention outstanding stamina. Sweet-faced and well-mannered, they are true people pleasers, so training them is both an easy and rewarding experience.

Springer Spaniels bond very deeply with their humans and don't like being away from them. Because of that, they need to be in a home where someone can be with them for most of the day, as otherwise they will struggle with separation anxiety. However, as long as they have their humans around, the English Springer Spaniel will be a very content canine.

15. Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized herding dog with a muscular and agile build. High-energy dogs who love to play fetch, they have a strong prey drive, so they're best kept on a leash when being taken for a walk. Loyal and super intelligent, they're typically very friendly, although they can be reserved around people they don't know well.

Australian Shepherds were bred to work, and because of that, they like to have a job to do. They need lots of physical exercise and plenty of mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive. However, as long as they receive proper training and plenty of daily activity, the Australian Shepherd can be a very well-behaved dog. Highly attentive and motivated, they respond to training readily and thrive in an environment focused on positive reinforcement.

16. Keeshond

With its plush coat, expressive eyes, beautiful ruff, and curled tail, the striking keeshond (pronounced kayz-hund) is hard to miss. A friendly, lively, and outgoing breed, they make wonderfully affectionate companions and get along famously with children and other dogs. Moderately active, they adapt well to a variety of living situations but require lots of attention from their owners and don't like being left alone.

Keeshonds have a delightfully fun-loving and happy nature, and because they're so clever and eager to please, training them is real joy. They excel in obedience training, and while they are typically very well-mannered, they are prone to barking when they're home on their own.

17. Vizsla

The Hungarian Vizsla is an energetic, red-coated gundog that originated in Hungary. Bred to be a hunting companion, the Vizsla is an outstanding athlete and needs regular physical activity (think hiking, running, and swimming) to keep it happy. They are friendly and deeply devoted dogs who bond deeply with their owners and make great pets for homes with children.

Gentle, patient, and affectionate, Vizslas are Velcro dogs who like being with their owners at all times. Because they're high in energy, they're not suited to apartment living and need ample space to run around. Sensitive dogs, they require lots of positive reinforcement, but they are very intelligent and eager to please, so this makes them easy to train.

18. Bernese Mountain Dog

A gentle giant with a huge heart, the Bernese Mountain Dog may be big, but they are true softies. Often referred to as 'nanny dogs' because of their deep fondness and affection for children, they're a strikingly beautiful breed with a sweet temperament. Patient and kind with everyone in their human family, including other pets, they can be shy around strangers and prefer to stick close to those they know.

While they were bred to be working dogs, these days, most Bernese Mountain Dogs prefer to laze around the house all day. However, exercise is important for their physical and mental health, and so encouraging them to get out and about will do them the world of good. Eager to please, they're highly trainable and, given their size and strength, you'll definitely want to teach them not to jump up on people.

19. Boxer

A deep-chested dog with an upbeat and playful nature, the boxer is one of the canine kingdom's most beloved goofballs. True comedians who love making their owners laugh, boxers are happy, fun-loving dogs who make fantastic playmates for children. Patient and protective, they're a watchful breed who take their job of guarding their family very seriously.

Boxers are bright dogs who love to learn, so on the one hand, they're very easy to train. However, they have a high prey drive and bucket loads of energy, which means they can lose interest in what you're saying quite quickly if something else catches their attention. That being said, you'll find patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement work a treat with this breed as they respond very well to a rewards-based system.

20. Bichon frise

Not only are they adorable, but the bichon frise is also a dream to train. Smart and quick to learn, this little dog is always keen to please their owners and enjoys learning and performing tricks. Because they're so intelligent, you'll find they master new commands quickly, and they enjoy playing games like fetch and tug of war.

The bichon frise is energetic, adaptable, and gets on well with children and other pets. They also love to cuddle, so if you're looking for a lap dog, this could well be the breed for you. Social, gentle, playful, and loving, the bichon frise needs lots of attention and affection to keep it happy.

Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.

We’ve all been there. You’re hoping for a nice leisurely walk with your dog to start your morning off in the best way or to unwind after a long day, but your pup has other ideas.

They’ve got one of the best dog leashes on, but they keep pulling on it. You’re content at your own pace, but your dog seems impatient. What can you do? Well, Juliana DeWillems, owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, has given us three expert tips in a recent Instagram post. Just keep reading to take a look at her ideas.

First and foremost, remember that positive reinforcement is the way to go when it comes to changing your dog’s behavior. If you’d like to know how to stop a dog pulling on a leash, it’s important to keep in mind that treats, play, and praise are all brilliant ways to get your dog to do what you want, and DeWillems’ advice, as follows, reflects this.

1. Get a longer leash
“Replace your four or six-foot leash with an eight or 10-foot leash [like this one on Amazon] because this gives your dog more space to move around, sniff, and explore without hitting the end of the leash and putting tension on it,” advises DeWillems.

2. Bring new treats
Try using treats your dog hasn’t had before – why not go for something high-value? They’ll find them more exciting than their usual treats, and DeWillems explains that they should prompt more frequent checking in with you and walking close with you. You can then reward these behaviors to in turn see more of them.

3. Play before you leave the house
For a few minutes before you head out on your walk, play with your dog at home.

“You might be thinking, ‘Wait a second, isn’t the walk how I’m supposed to exercise my dog?’” says DeWillems, “If you play with your dog for just a few minutes before you go for a walk, that can actually get some of their energy out before you walk out the door.”

This can make your walk a lot more enjoyable for both of you, and you get to have some fun just before the walk, too.

Read next: My dog’s leash pulling made walks miserable until I helped her reactivity, here’s how

Walking your dog can be relaxing, and the perfect way to start your morning off or mark the end of your work day. But it’s not always so calm – if your pup has ever decided to pull toward other people when they’re on their leash, you’ll be able to relate.

Not wanting your dog to approach people by pulling you over to them is completely understandable. For many of us, it’s not a behavior we want from our dogs. However, you can use positive reinforcement (with plenty of the best dog treats) to stop them, encouraging them to carry out a different behavior instead.

Fortunately, Juliana DeWillems, expert trainer and the founder of JW Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, is on hand to offer some advice about how to do just that in a recent Instagram post.

DeWillems begins by explaining that she marks and rewards her dog every time he looks at a person while they’re out on a walk.

“This cues the dog to look back at me for the promised treat,” she continues, “If the dog doesn’t look back at me after I mark, that is information that they could be over threshold and might need more distance or more support from me.”

Because she clicks and gives the dog a treat every time they look at the person, she is rewarding the behavior of looking but then sticking near her – something that’s incompatible with pulling away to something else.

She adds, “As the person gets further away and the training becomes easier I’ll wait to reward until the dog chooses to look back at me.”

Essentially, when your dog is doing something undesirable you’ll want to offer them a replacement behavior. In this instance, sticking close to you is a great replacement behavior when you want to stop a dog pulling on a leash because it keeps you both safe, comfortable, and happy.

As DeWillems puts it, “You can’t do a don’t! Make sure you are telling your dog what you DO want from them when you are training them.”

Dogs don’t know that they’re doing something they shouldn’t, or why they shouldn’t be doing it. We can’t reason with them like you might a human, so offering an alternative and giving them plenty of treats along the way is the best solution.

Read next: My dog’s leash pulling made walks miserable until I helped her reactivity, here’s how

For most dogs, going for a walk is one of the high points of their day, and you can’t blame them for being excited. However, you don’t want your pup to launch themselves out of the front door before you’re ready to head off, no matter how excited they are!

If their leash isn’t secured, or you aren’t prepared to keep hold of it, they could easily run off and risk being hurt by a vehicle or another dog passing by, and they could hurt you if they run out and you aren’t expecting it.

But how can you stop your dog from rushing outside when they’re just happy to be going on a walk? It turns out that all you need are some of the best dog treats and a helping of patience.

That is, according to Juliana DeWillems, the owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, who has explained what she does in a new Instagram post – and it’s surprisingly effective!

“As soon as we walk through the threshold, I say his well-practiced ‘Yes’ marker, which causes him to stop in his tracks and immediately turn back to me,” DeWillems begins. “I give him that promised treat and then I drop a few more treats on the ground while I close the door and get situated.”

She adds in the caption, “For this technique, you can use any cue that your dog loves to respond to. In some cases simply saying their name would work, but a lot of dogs tune their names out because we say it so much throughout the day.”

What the exercise does, she explains, is teach the dog over time that every time they go through the door, a treat shows up behind them – remember, positive reinforcement is always key! So, it’s in their best interests to turn back automatically. “This automatic turn back to me replaces launching out the door and ignoring me,” she summarizes.

She finds this technique less frustrating and more efficient than simply waiting for your dog to calm down inside the house when they’re excited to go on their walk or get outside to use the bathroom.

If you’ve got this part of your walk sorted already, but you’d like some advice to help you later on, when you’re outdoors with your dog, here are 15 helpful ways to get your dog to come back to you on off-leash walks. Meanwhile, here’s how to stop a dog pulling on a leash.

We’ve all been in the position where we’re trying to enjoy a nice, relaxing walk with our dog but they keep pulling on their leash – something even the most patient and easygoing pup parent can get frustrated by!

But what can you do to stop your dog from pulling on the leash, particularly when there are so many exciting distractions for them to try and run off toward?

Professional dog trainer and behavioral consultant Amelia Steele, or Amelia the Dog Trainer, has laid out three invaluable tips in a new Instagram post, so let’s take a look at how they might be able to help us.

“If your walks are starting to feel like a nightmare because your dog is dragging you everywhere, then I’m going to share three really simple changes that you can make on your everyday walks to improve your dog’s loose-leash walking,” Steele begins. They are, as follows:

1. Change how you deliver treats

“We always want to reward them next to us,” says Steele, so when training dogs with treats, reward your pup next to your leg. “If all the treats and rewards come from right in this position here, they’re much more likely to hang out with us, walk nicely, and pay attention,” she adds. Feed with the hand that’s on the side your dog is walking on, too.

Here’s more info about dog treat delivery methods.

2. Make sure you have the right leash

Steele recommends a long, fixed-length leash rather than a tight, restrictive one as it can make walking uncomfortable for them.

“The same goes for a retractable leash,” she explains, “If there is always tension on the lead, it’s difficult for your dog to distinguish when they’re walking nicely and getting rewards, and when they’re pulling.”

The right leash should give your dog plenty of freedom to enjoy the environment around them.

3. Take treats or other rewards on every walk

“I’m just using dry food and all we want to do is reward every time my dog chooses to look at us or check in, and that goes for on or off the lead,” says Steele. In her video, her dog is far away but is looking at her – she can mark ‘yes’ and give him a treat.

If you’re struggling with leash pulling due to reactivity, you might find this article useful: My dog’s leash pulling made walks miserable until I helped her reactivity, here’s how.

Does your dog pull toward other dogs when they’re on leash? It’s a common issue that dog parents face – you’re hoping for a relaxing walk, strolling along nicely, and then your pup spots (or smells) a fellow canine, and all of a sudden they’re pulling you toward them before you even know what’s happening!

Fortunately, however, it’s not as difficult to address leash-pulling as you might think, and all you really need are some of the best dog treats (and perhaps the best dog harness for pulling).

Expert dog trainer Juliana DeWillems, owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior, has offered a piece of advice that we think is certainly worth taking on board.

DeWillems asks us what we’d rather our dog do instead of pulling us toward other dogs to greet them. She suggests teaching our pups to stay close enough to us that their leashes remain loose.

“So, I actually click when she looks at the other dog,” she explains in the video, in which she’s working with a dog, Daisy, on not pulling her leash, “Because that’s going to teach her you can look while staying with me.”

DeWillems continues, “Instead of waiting for her to disengage, I’m just basically capturing the moment that she sees a dog but stays with the leash loose. That’s one way to prevent lunging.” She’s giving Daisy plenty of treats and praise, too, encouraging her to stay close by.

So, when your dog sees another dog, before they even have the chance to pull, use a marker – like a click (clicker training for dogs can be great) or a ‘Yes!’, and then reward them with a treat for looking at the dog calmly rather than pulling or lunging.

“Marking and feeding a treat cues the behavior of turning toward you to take and eat the treat, so what this often develops into is your dog anticipating the mark and reward when they see another dog (or person or bike, etc.) so they proactively turn back to you,” explains DeWillems. “The exciting distraction has turned into a cue to look back at you.”

However, this is best done under conditions where your dog will be able to watch without pulling straight away. In DeWillems’ video, the other dog is across the street, so it’s easier for Daisy to stay with her. It’s a bit more tricky to practice when you’re really close to the other dog. For example, if they’re on the same side of the street as you. “I would not expect this behavior when we are in close proximity to another dog until we have practiced a lot,” she explains.

If leash-pulling is something you’re really struggling with, you might find this article – from a dog parent who’s been there – useful, too: My dog’s leash pulling made walks miserable until I helped her reactivity, here’s how.

Training your dog to walk on a loose leash has plenty of benefits, from improving focus and attentiveness to making them happier and less stressed, so it’s something worth doing.

But while loose-leash training is great, there are some common mistakes that many dog parents make. Fortunately, however, it’s easy to rectify these, so once you know what to avoid you can continue training your pup — but with more fruitful sessions (and some of the best dog treats in your pocket, of course).

Professional dog trainer and behavioral consultant Amelia Steele, or Amelia the Dog Trainer, has highlighted three loose-leash training mistakes to avoid in a recent Instagram post, so let’s take a look at what they are below.

1. Primarily using stopping or turning: “You’ve probably heard the advice that when your dog pulls forwards, stop or turn around and wait for them to come back to you,” Steele explains. However, it’s not actually the best advice to take on board.

“This never actually teaches your dog what you want them to do,” she continues. “So, often this just leads to a lot of frustration and it’s very rare to see progress when you are exclusively using this method in training.”

2. Stopping your training too late on each walk: If you’re letting your dog get excited before your walk, and then start your training once you’re out on the street, you might actually be starting your training too late, and you could find yourself wondering how to stop a dog pulling on a leash.

“Instead,” says Steele, “We want to really focus on your dog’s initial mindset before they even leave the house.”

3. Expecting too much too soon: “When we look at making loose-leash walking reliable, what we’re actually asking our dogs to do is perform a behavior for a long duration of time in lots of different environments,” says Steele.

This takes a lot of patience and consistency, as well as practice in a range of different environments.

Perfecting loose-leash walking might sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Once you’ve remembered some of the most common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to mastering loose-leash walking like a pro!

Maybe you’ve got loose-leash walking nailed, and you’d like to hone your dog’s walking skills when they’re off-leash. If so, you may want to check out these 15 helpful ways to get your dog to come back to you on off-leash walks.

Walking on a long leash is a skill that’s important for dogs to learn. In situations when it’s not appropriate or safe for your dog to be off their lead, a long leash gives your pup some freedom to explore and sniff without being by your side, but it means they aren’t left to their devices completely.

But how can you train your dog to walk on one of the best dog leashes properly, particularly if it’s a long leash? Well, Ella Camps-Linney and Alistair Mackenzie, the co-owners of Kirby Dog Training, have shared a few things that can help with loose-leash walking training in a recent Instagram post. Let’s take a closer look…

Pasha used to be reinforced much more frequently when he was learning to keep the leash slack at first (every couple of steps initially!),” say Camps-Linney and Mackenzie about their own dog, “But we’ve built up some nice duration and distance between treats now.”

“Practice lead mechanics and reward placement at home first,” they recommend, while they also advise that you should make sure all your dog’s needs are met before you make a start on loose-leash walking. 

If there’s a little tension on the leash, they advise luring your pup back to your side and starting again. Make sure you’ve brought plenty of treats with you, too, and hand them out generously when they’re walking by your side, or when the leash is slack – here’s how to stop a dog pulling on a leash for more advice. 

Remember, too, that it’s important to let your dog stop and sniff. Our dogs have extremely powerful noses and sense of smell – much more than ours – and sniffing is how they make sense of their world. So, it’s a good idea to let them sniff around when they want to. “Reward generously when they look up at you,” Camps-Linney and Mackenzie add, so when your dog stops sniffing and acknowledges you again, be sure to grab one of the best dog treats (or two!)

And try to use different ways to reward, if you can. Sure, you can give your pup treats directly into their mouth, but you can mix it up, too. Why not roll them on the floor, or give them the chance to try catching treats? 

The final thing to consider, according to Camps-Linney and Mackenzie, is equipment differentiation. “Pasha uses back-clip harness for loose-leash walking practice and front-clip for non-training sessions,” they explain.

If loose-leash walking is something you’re struggling with, here are three of the most common loose-leash walking mistakes (and how to fix them).

It’s a good idea for your dog to learn loose-leash walking, if you haven’t practiced it with them already. When you walk your pup on a loose leash, it’s likely to be a more relaxed experience compared to walking your dog at your heel. A dog who has more freedom to sniff and explore when they’re out and about will probably in turn be a dog who’s happier and more focused. 

But if you’ve not yet practiced loose-leash walking with your pup, how do you get started? Fortunately, expert trainer Julianna DeWillems, who’s also the founder of JW Dog Training & Behavior, has some advice to share in a recent Instagram post – involving some of the best dog treats.  

“Some of the best training you can do to improve your dog’s leash walking skills doesn’t involve the leash at all,” DeWillems explains. In the footage, she’s walking around the house with a dog – no leash involved – and giving them treats as they stay close to her. 

She explains further in her caption that it’s a good idea to practice walking with your dog close to you when preparing to teach loose-leash walking. However, you don’t need to use the leash to teach this, with DeWillems saying that you actually don’t want to rely on the leash at all. In her words, “We use the leash for safety, not teaching.”

Practice the exercise at home, rewarding your dog for walking within 1-3 feet of you. Doing so will make this behavior more reliable going forward, even when the sort of distractions walking outside will add. 

DeWillems finishes, “Another thing we love about this is our dog can choose to be anywhere in the room and they are choosing to train with us. They can leave at any time. That choice is important to us and a cornerstone of our training.”

By practicing this skill at home, you’ll be able to make your walks more relaxing and less stressful for both you and your pup. You’ll be able to trust your dog on a loose leash (so no more wondering how to stop a dog pulling on a leash) with confidence that, while they might be sniffing and exploring, they’ll be happy to stay close by you too. 

If loose-leash walking is something you’re trying to tackle at the moment, here are three of the most common loose-leash walking mistakes (and how to fix them).

Good leash walking skills are essential for a harmonious, stress-free walking experience with your furry friend. Whether you have a rambunctious puppy and just learning the ropes of how to train a puppy to walk on a leash or an adult dog with persistent pulling habits, it's never too late to start training them to walk politely on a leash. 

Thankfully, with patience, a pocketful of the best dog treats and some trainer approved guidance on proper leash walking you can nip this issue in the bud. Enter, Jennifer Worswick, the owner and head trainer of Top Paw K9 Academy, who has shared some valuable insights on how to teach a dog who pulls on a leash to 'heel', providing dog owners with effective techniques for achieving smoother walks.

Teaching your dog to 'heel' is a highly beneficial skill to develop. The 'heel' command encourages your dog to walk calmly by your side, focusing their attention on you and maintaining a controlled pace. By mastering this command, you gain better control over your dog's movements, preventing them from pulling, lunging, or becoming overly excited during walks. 

You can watch Worswick teaching 'heel' below where she works with Winnie, a dog with a bad habit of pulling. With her certification in pet psychology and being Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) and State Licensed, Worswick is a trusted source of guidance.

The trainer's approach begins with using a slip leash and unhooking the leash from the dog's harness, giving her more control over the dog's head. By gently guiding the dog's head, she encourages them to follow her lead. 

When the dog starts pulling or ignoring her, Worswick remains patient and waits for the dog to turn around. This moment of engagement is then rewarded, reinforcing the idea that she is more interesting and rewarding than anything else in the environment. Take your time with this, moving too fast is one of the most common loosh lease walking mistakes made by owners.

During the training process, Worswick incorporates positive reinforcement by saying "yes" and giving treats whenever the dog exhibits desired behaviors, such as walking next to her. By turning around whenever the dog tries to go forward and rewarding them for keeping their attention on her, she reinforces the concept of walking beside her. 

Through consistent practice and engagement, the dog begins to pick up on the 'heel' command, gradually improving their leash manners and staying more engaged with their owner.

With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, it's possible to build better leash walking skills and establish a stronger connection with your four-legged companion. If you feel like your four-legged friend needs further help with their leash walking behavior, you can always consult a professional trainer or behaviorist and receive some 1:1 assistance.

Wondering how to stop a dog pulling on a leash? Having your pup relentlessly pulling ahead of you is one of the most frustrating things you can experience as a pet parent but we promise your dog isn't doing it to wind you up. In fact, there are often underlying reasons that explain why your dog is pulling on its leash.

While investing in on of the best dog harnesses for pulling is a great place to start to overcome this issue, understanding the reasons why your canine companion is doing this in the first place can be super helpful.

Thankfully, we sat down with APDT-certified dog trainer Lara Sorisi to ask her how dog owners can prevent their dogs from pulling and experience a blissfully peaceful loose leash walk instead.

Why do dogs pull on their leash?

One of the first things Lara recommends is downgrading your expectations for your dog.

“I often find that people run before they can walk – or, more accurately, walk their dog before their dog can stand still in that environment without being over-stimulated,” she explains. “It’s really important that owners build up a strong foundational training in a less exciting environment, as this will help your dog build good habits.”

A dog pulling on a leash is understandable – once you see it from their perspective. There are unusual sights and sounds all around them, with people, cars and potentially other dogs moving in different directions. Plus, there will be an incredible array of scents that will be battling with the question of how to get your dog’s attention! With so much information bombarding your dog, it’s no surprise that so many struggle to pay attention to their owner on their walks.

It’s also important to consider other factors that might be at play as well. Lara says, “When I work with a dog pulling on a leash, I often talk to the client about their dog’s gait. Leash pulling in puppies is really common, but when they’re so young their natural gait is really bouncy with their legs going everywhere. So, how can we expect them to walk calmly on a leash when they can’t do it at home?

Starting with static training

Learning the skill of standing calmly and staying still is one dogs of all ages can benefit from.

“Even if your dog is a little older, it’s still a matter of managing your expectations. I always recommend beginning your loose leash walking training with static work so that you can understand what you’re trying to achieve – a calm dog that looks at you and engages with you. I find that people often begin walking a route before their dog is ready, but static work can be a game changer for getting your dog used to new environments.”

So, how can dog owners implement static work into their training? Essentially, you want to find an environment that your dog can sit still in without pulling, lunging or getting stressed. A good indicator of whether the environment is too taxing is if your dog is unable to take food. If this happens, retreat to somewhere less exciting until your dog is able to eat. Then, simply sit with your dog and reward them whenever they engage with you, such as looking at you or performing a desired behavior such as sitting or lying down.

In the meantime, take your dogs to private dog walking fields for off-leash exercise or use long lines (like this one on Amazon) for stress-free walks. This will prevent your dog from developing bad habits on the shorter leash.

How to stop a dog pulling on a leash

Once your dog is capable of sitting calmly in different environments, you can start working on your loose leash walking again. However, don’t forget that your walk doesn’t begin when your dog’s paws hit the pavement – it actually starts much earlier than that. Lara says, “When working with my clients, I really stress the importance of desensitizing a dog to its harness, leash and collar first. You want them to be totally comfortable with their leash walking equipment first before you introduce the element of actually walking them.

“I’ve often found that the process of putting on a dog’s harness and leash can become a trigger point for over-excited behaviors. The dogs know that they’re about to be exposed to a stimulating and exciting environment and their anticipation begins to ramp up. However, if we put in the effort to desensitize them to this process, then we can make sure that they leave the house in as calm a state as possible. Think about it this way – if the dog is bouncing around when you’re leaving the house and you can’t easily put a harness on, why would they calm down and walk nicely on their leash during the walk itself?”

Here are more tips on how to put on a dog harness easily.

Using treats to leash train your dog

So, you’ve created a calm process for leaving the house and you’ve done plenty of static work to get your dog used to the environment outside – now what? Well, you’re going to want a pocket-full of the best dog treats. Beginning in a quiet outside environment (don’t be tempted to try this first on a busy road), walk calmly along with your dog and reward them any time that they look at you. This will discourage a dog pulling on a leash to charge ahead and instead encourage them to stay close, as they’ll want the treats.

If your dog hits the end of the leash, there are a few common tips to try out:

• Stop and stand still until your dog returns to you – you can then give them a treat and begin walking again.
• Turn and start walking in the opposite direction – once your dog is loose leash walking again you can give them a treat.
• Turn your dog around in a circle until they’re facing the original direction you were walking in – this can often ‘reset’ the dog. Again, give them a treat when they begin loose leash walking again to tell them that they’re doing what you want.

If you find that your walk is becoming very stop-start, then you may need to consider that your dog just isn’t quite ready to transition from static training to walking. This is where you might want to take a step back and do more static training so that neither you or your dog become frustrated. Keeping your training sessions positive is essential, as your dog will be much more likely to want to work for you.

For more great training tips, check out our guides on how to crate train a dog and how to reduce separation anxiety in dogs.