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Writer's pictureYana Jacobson

How to Leash Train a Dog: A Different Approach to Solving Common Leash Struggles Every Owner Faces

Updated: Oct 16

A woman being dragged on a walk by a large dog, highlighting the struggles of leash pulling during walks

Picture this: you’re walking your dog, and everything is peaceful until they suddenly spot a squirrel. What happens next? For many dog owners, this moment turns into an instant battle—your dog lunges forward, pulling you along like you're the one on a leash. This common scenario, known all too well by anyone with a dog, brings to light some of the most frustrating aspects of owning a pet.

It’s not just the lunging at distractions that can turn a simple walk into a stressful situation. You’ve probably also dealt with your dog pulling constantly on the leash, grabbing garbage off the ground, or reacting to other dogs or people in unpredictable ways. For some, it feels like a daily tug-of-war. While learning how to leash train a dog is crucial for shaping good behavior, finding the right tool is just as important to ensure successful outcomes.


The Struggles of Traditional Tools

There are countless tools designed to help with leash manners, but some solutions can end up causing more problems than they solve. Take harnesses, for instance. While they’re meant to be comfortable for the dog, they often give your dog more leverage to pull. For larger, stronger dogs, a harness can actually make pulling worse. And when it comes to behaviors like lunging or grabbing garbage, harnesses do little to help—you’re left fighting for control without really addressing the root of the problem.

Some dog owners might turn to harsher tools, like prong collars or even electric collars, in an attempt to stop these behaviors. But these methods rely on discomfort or pain to force a dog to behave, and while they may work in the short term, they don’t help build a positive, trusting relationship with your dog. In fact, using pain or fear-based training tools can increase anxiety or aggression, leading to more problems in the long run.

Even regular flat leashes, while humane, can leave you feeling like you’re constantly pulling your dog back or having little control over where they’re going. This is where so many dog owners find themselves stuck—tired of the daily struggles of keeping their dogs in check but unsure where to turn for a better solution.


how to Leash Train a Dog by Focusing on the Nose: A Different Approach

One of the key elements in managing a dog’s behavior on walks is understanding the way they’re wired. Dogs are natural followers of their nose—where their nose goes, their body follows. So, gaining control of their head and nose is the most effective way to manage their whole body, especially for large or reactive dogs.

There’s a solution many trainers and dog owners have found effective: a tool that wraps gently around the dog’s head, giving control over their nose and making it easier to guide them without causing harm. Tools like this allow for gentle correction, helping dogs stay calm and focused even in distracting environments.

What’s even more beneficial is that this kind of tool doesn’t restrict your dog’s ability to open their mouth—they can still pant, drink, take treats, and even carry objects like sticks. It’s not a muzzle. Instead, it simply guides their head, giving you more control over where they’re going, making walks more manageable and less stressful.


Why Control Over the Head Makes All the Difference

When a dog pulls, lunges, or dives for food on the ground, they’re often following their instinct or reacting to stimuli. By having control over the dog’s head and nose, you can redirect this energy in a positive way. Gently guiding them back to you allows them to refocus, without relying on harsh corrections.

For larger dogs, this is particularly effective because, instead of relying on physical strength to hold them back (which can be exhausting and ineffective), you’re using their natural tendencies to your advantage. Simply put, when you control their head, you control the walk.


The Calming Power of Gentle Pressure

Another major benefit is the psychological calming effect that comes from a tool applying gentle pressure around a dog’s head. This type of pressure mimics how a mother dog would place her mouth over her pup's nose when they get too rowdy, sending a clear signal that the behavior isn’t appropriate. The pressure serves as a subtle but clear correction, helping the dog understand what behavior is expected. It works with the dog’s instincts rather than against them, making them less likely to react in negative ways and more likely to stay calm and focused on their handler.

With simple gentle upward pressure on the leash, you'll notice your pup calming down, recognizing that pulling, lunging, or unwanted behaviors are not acceptable. This calming effect encourages them to refocus on the walk and their handler.


A Gentle Solution Smylish Dogs Trusts

At Smylish Dogs, we’ve tested various training tools over the years, but one that has consistently stood out for both its effectiveness and gentleness is the Heather’s Heroes Sidekick Leash (#ad). This leash offers a balance of control, security and comfort, making it a favorite among dog owners and trainers alike. With its thoughtful design and versatile features, it has quickly become our go-to solution for addressing common walking challenges while ensuring a positive training experience for the dog:

1. The Sidekick Leash is thoughtfully designed to prioritize your dog’s comfort and safety. Made from soft, flexible materials, it ensures your dog stays comfortable even during extended use.

Unlike stiff harnesses or harsh collars, the Sidekick adapts to your dog’s movements, allowing for freedom of motion while still offering you the control you need to guide your dog effectively. Whether during a leisurely walk or a training session, this leash provides the balance between control and comfort that dog owners and trainers appreciate.

2. One of the standout features of the Sidekick Leash is its 2-in-1 functionality. It works both as a head halter and a slip lead, offering versatility in various training scenarios. This allows you to make adjustments on the fly, depending on how your dog is responding during the walk.

3. S-Hook for Quick and Smooth Transitions. The S-Hook is a small but powerful feature that makes transitioning between the head halter and slip lead incredibly smooth and quick. You don’t have to struggle with adjusting equipment during your walk, which is especially important when dealing with reactive or anxious dogs.

4. Stopper for a Secure Fit. The Sidekick Leash includes a stopper that locks the leash in place, ensuring a comfortable yet secure fit around your dog’s head. This helps keep the leash in the proper position without slipping or becoming too tight, which is essential for both comfort and control.

5. Safety Clip for Extra Security. For added peace of mind, the Sidekick Leash comes with a safety clip that attaches directly to your dog’s collar. This ensures that even if your dog somehow slips out of the head halter, they remain securely attached to the leash, preventing any potential escape.


How to use Sidekick transitional leash
Hands showing how to create loops with the Heather's Heroes Sidekick Leash for proper head halter use


Pull leash through the s-hook to make two loops with the s-hook hanging in the middle.




Person placing the first loop of the Sidekick Leash over the dog's head as part of the setup process


Largest loop (closest to the leash) goes over the dog’s head first.





Person adjusting the second loop of the Sidekick Leash over the dog’s snout for better control


Smaller outer loop goes over the snout.





Person adjusting the stopper on the Sidekick Leash behind the dog’s head to ensure a secure fit


Adjust the plastic stopper behind their head, ensuring it's secure but not too tight.




Person attaching the Sidekick Leash’s safety clip to the dog’s collar for added security during walks


Attach the safety clip to the collar for extra security.






Desensitization: Helping Your Dog Adjust

As with any new tool, it’s important to take the time to desensitize your dog to the Sidekick Leash. Here’s how to do it effectively:

  • Start at home: Let your dog wear the leash during calm activities at home, offering treats and praise to build positive associations. This creates a stress-free environment where the dog can become accustomed to the leash.

  • Gradual introduction: Slowly increase the amount of time your dog wears the leash, transitioning to short, low-stress walks. This helps your dog become comfortable with the leash before taking it into more stimulating environments.

  • Positive reinforcement: Reward calm behavior with treats, encouraging your dog to accept the gentle guidance of the leash over time. This not only builds confidence but reinforces positive behavior.

  • Initial resistance is normal: Sometimes, in the beginning, your dog may try to remove the leash from its snout, which is a perfectly normal response. If this happens, quickly but gently pull the leash upward and hold it in that position. Once your dog stops resisting, immediately release the tension. This provides a gentle correction, teaching your dog that calm behavior results in the release of pressure, and guiding them towards the desired response.

With patience and consistency, your dog will not only become comfortable with the Sidekick Leash but will respond positively to the guidance it provides. Over time, your walks will become more enjoyable and stress-free for both you and your dog!


What about the alternatives?

We’ve seen many alternatives to the Sidekick Leash, including popular options like Gentle Leaders. While functional, many of these head collars attach the leash under the dog’s chin, which causes their head to tilt unnaturally when they pull. This awkward position doesn’t just look uncomfortable—it makes it harder for the dog to understand the correction, leading to more confusion and resistance.

The Heather’s Heroes Sidekick Leash takes a different approach. Connected at the back of the dog’s head, just behind the ears, the leash provides a natural pull-back motion that avoids the head tilting seen in other head collars. This more ergonomic design allows you to guide your dog in a way that feels intuitive and comfortable for them.


A Better Walk for Both You and Your Dog

Tools like the Sidekick Leash work with your dog’s instincts rather than against them. By focusing on gaining control over your dog’s head and nose, you can communicate with your dog in a way that makes sense to them. Walks should be a time for bonding, not frustration, and with the right tools, they can be exactly that. If you’re looking for a humane, effective solution to the common challenges, the Sidekick Leash might just be the tool you’ve been searching for. You can find it on Amazon here (#ad)


And remember, If you're interested in learning more about how to leash train a dog or need help selecting the right tools, the trainers at Smylish Dogs are ready to assist. Please fill out the contact form below and we will get back to you in no time!

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