Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey Series - Part Two

The Leash and the Learning Curve

Part 2 of the “Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey” Series

The leash is one of the simplest tools we use in dog training — and one of the most misunderstood. We clip it on expecting it to act like a quiet agreement: you walk beside me, and we move together. But to a dog, that six-foot strip of material can mean something entirely different.

It limits how they explore, how they communicate, and how they express curiosity about the world. To us, it’s normal. To them, it’s not.

The Leash as a Lesson in Communication

When a dog pulls, lunges, or lags behind, it’s easy to label the behavior as disobedience. But often, those moments are really about communication — or miscommunication. The dog isn’t trying to make your walk difficult; they’re reacting to something in their environment or expressing excitement, stress, or uncertainty.

If we pause long enough to listen, those leash moments tell us a lot. They show us where our dog’s comfort zone ends and where they need guidance. They show us how they handle frustration and what triggers their curiosity or concern. In other words, the leash becomes a feedback line between two species trying to understand each other.

Why It’s Hard — for Both Ends of the Leash

Leash walking asks a lot of both dog and human. For the dog, it means learning to match our pace, resist instinct, and ignore distractions. For us, it means staying calm, consistent, and patient — even when our arm feels like it’s being pulled out of its socket.

The frustration that builds on either end of the leash can quietly erode trust if we’re not mindful. When we tighten the leash out of irritation or tension, our dogs feel that energy. They respond in kind — often pulling harder or shutting down.

This is why leash training isn’t just a mechanical skill; it’s emotional work, too. It’s about regulating ourselves before we ask our dogs to do the same.

Reframing the Struggle

Instead of thinking, My dog won’t walk nicely, try asking, What is my dog telling me right now? Are they overstimulated? Nervous? Bored? Once we identify the “why,” we can teach with empathy instead of frustration.

Celebrate small wins. The moment they choose to walk at your side. The time they glance up at you instead of fixating on a distraction. These moments may seem small, but they’re signs of communication and trust taking root.

Connection Over Control

When we shift our goal from controlling our dogs on leash to connecting with them through it, everything changes. The leash stops being a restraint and becomes a line of conversation.

At Engaged Dog Training, we like to remind clients: every walk is a dialogue. You’re not just teaching your dog how to move with you — you’re teaching them how to listen to you, and you’re learning how to listen back.

Because when both ends of the leash are engaged, training becomes less about pulling and more about partnership.