Marche sans tirer

Walk without pulling

Walk without pulling: the effective 15-minute routine (dog)

No need for an hour: with 15 well-structured minutes , you can transform your walks. This routine combines harness adjustment , reward timing , and simple exercises to establish a tension-free gait.

Recommended equipment: no-pull harness + shock-absorbing leash . Need help with sizing? Size & adjustment guide .

Summary

  1. Before we begin: settings & terrain
  2. The 15-minute routine (3 x 5 min)
  3. The secret: timing of rewards
  4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
  5. Progress plan (14 days)
  6. FAQ

1) Before you begin: settings & terrain

  • Harness : Y-shaped, 2 fingers' width , centered junction at the sternum. See: the guide .
  • Leash : short/medium length, soft grip (no constant tension).
  • Treats : small, very appetizing, pocket on the "foot" side.
  • Terrain : low stimulation area (empty parking lot, quiet alley) for the first sessions.

Equipment reminder: harness & anti-pull leashes (front attachment recommended at the beginning).

2) The 15-minute routine (3 blocks of 5 minutes)

Block A (5 min) — “Look = reward”

  1. Walk in a straight line at a slow pace.
  2. As soon as the dog looks at you or the leash goes slack, say “yes” and reward the left thigh (or right, but always the same side).
  3. If traction → stop 1–2 s, wait for the release, say “yes”, move forward.

Block B (5 min) — Surprise U-turns

  1. Advance 5–10 steps, then make a smooth U-turn (invite the dog), reward when it returns to your hip.
  2. Alternate right/left every 5–10 seconds randomly to become interesting to follow.

Block C (5 min) — “Sniff” on permission

  1. Relaxed walk 10–15 steps → say “ok, sniff!” and leave 5–10 seconds of odor (leave long if possible).
  2. Call back calmly ( "let's go" ), reward near leg as soon as you resume. The dog learns that staying close = access to sniffing .

Tip: Keep sessions short , end on a high note, then take a break for games/calm.

3) The secret: timing of rewards

  • Mark (word “yes” or click) the micro-instant when the leash relaxes / the dog looks at you.
  • Pay attention to the desired spot (your thigh) to anchor the position.
  • Rewards very frequently for the first 2–3 days, then gradually space them out.

Helpful supplement: “Leash or anti-pull harness: which to choose?” .

4) Common mistakes to avoid

  • ❌ Keep the leash under constant tension (the dog gets used to it).
  • ❌ Always walking straight (boredom) → vary half-turns and paces.
  • ❌ Punishing sniffing: on the contrary, make it a controlled reward .
  • ❌ Sessions that are too long or over-stimulating from the start.

5) Progress plan (14 days)

Day Place Objective
Day 1–Day 2 Quiet alley Look ➜ “yes” ➜ pay by the thigh (10–20 times/session)
Days 3–4 Alley + a few passers-by Random U-turns every 5–10 seconds
Days 5–6 Park not frequented Incorporate “sniff with permission” 3–4 times
Days 7–9 More stimulating sidewalk Space out the rewards, keep the leash loose
Days 10–12 Park frequented Hold out for 2–3 minutes without shooting, with 1–2 sniff breaks
D13–D14 Usual route Maintaining a polite march, random reinforcements

If your dog is very powerful, use a cushioned leash + front attachment to the harness for the first few days.

FAQ – Walk without pulling

How long does it take to see a result?
Often from the 1st week if you stick to the routine of 15 min/day in a suitable environment.

My dog ​​pulls as soon as he sees another dog:
Increase the distance to the stimulus, turn around before the pull, pay attention to every glance towards you. Gradually get closer again.

Should it be a collar or a harness?
A Y-shaped harness with a front attachment point limits traction and protects the cervical spine. See size guide .

I have a puppy: same method?
Yes, but even shorter sessions (2–3 min), frequent, with plenty of reinforcement. See also: Puppy harness: mistakes to avoid .

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