Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too!
This week, Lauren and Alice are tackling one of the most common – and frustrating – struggles in dog ownership: lead pulling. If you've ever found yourself wondering why your dog still pulls despite everything you've tried, this episode might just change the way you think about your walks.
Together, they explore why pulling works so well for our dogs – and how every successful repetition can make the behaviour stronger. Whether pulling gets your dog to the park faster, closer to an irresistible smell or simply towards whatever exciting thing comes next, they're learning all the time. Add in the opposition reflex that encourages dogs to push against pressure, and it's easy to see how walks can quickly turn into a tug of war.
Lauren and Alice also unpack the role that arousal and emotion play in pulling, and why changing the behaviour means looking beyond what's happening at the end of the lead. You'll hear stories from their own dogs, including Skittle and Bonnie, and discover why spotting the early signs – from a head dropping into hunting mode to an intense visual stare – gives you the opportunity to change what happens next.
Most importantly, they explore how to interrupt the rehearsal loop and start building something different. From disengagement and re-engagement to check-ins, reinforcement and simple games you can practise before you ever tackle a challenging walk, you'll discover how small, intentional repetitions can build the skills you actually want your dog to rehearse.
This isn't about finding a quick trick to stop your dog pulling. It's about understanding the dog in front of you, changing what the walk predicts, and building the confidence, connection and skills that make walking together feel completely different.
Ready to transform your walks? The Stress Free Walks Blueprint is here.
We'll guide you step by step through the games, strategies and foundations that help you move from pulling, frustration and stressful walks towards calmer, more connected adventures together.
Discover the Stress Free Walks Blueprint:
