Out of Control on Walks? The Real Reason Your Dog Pulls, Barks, and Reacts

It’s not energy. It’s not excitement. It’s your walk — and you’re doing it wrong.

Every week, we hear it:

“My dog’s great at home, but the second we go outside, he pulls, lunges, and completely ignores me.”

Guess what? Your talking about a Bad Heel. That walk is the problem.

It’s not about getting more exercise. It’s about who’s in charge.

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The Walk Reveals Everything

Walks are a mirror. If your dog pulls you down the street, barks at people, or fixates on every moving object, they’re not being “bad”—they’re being the leader.

At Elite K9 Service, we teach dogs to walk with you, not ahead of you, not despite you, and definitely not in charge of you.

And when that clicks?

✔️ Barking drops

✔️ Pulling stops

✔️ Reactivity fades

✔️ The chaos ends

Other training like a "Recall" are important but were tackling "Heel" right now.

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The Real Problem: You’re Letting the Dog Lead

Most people start the walk like this:

– Open the door

– Dog shoots out in front

– Tension already on the leash

– Distractions flood in

– Owner reacts after the dog does

By the time the dog sees a trigger, they’re already in control. You’re just along for the ride.

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How to Fix It: Structure From the First Step

✅ Start With Calm

If your dog’s hyped at the door, the walk hasn’t started — it’s already lost.

• Sit at the door

• Calm leash clip

• Door opens only when calm

• Dog doesn’t step out until you do

This isn’t “training.” This is direction...

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✅ Use the Right Tools

Flat collars and harnesses don’t help most people. You need communication.

We recommend:

• Slip lead for puppies or soft dogs

• Prong collar for pullers

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✅ Master the Heel

This command alone will change your life.

Heel teaches:

• Eye contact

• Impulse control

• Spatial awareness

• Respect for direction

If your dog can hold a focused heel, pulling and reacting become impossible.

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✅ Training Tips

• Keep your hand close

• Pair the leash with a reward before the walk (Small tug of the leash = a reward)

• Give a abrupt Pop when pressure from the dog is given (Avoiding the pulling, before it officially starts)

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✅ Correct Before the Explosion

Don’t wait for the barking. Catch the build-up.

Watch for:

✔️ Ears lock forward

✔️ Body stiffens

✔️ Eye contact with the trigger

✔️ Sudden slowing or freezing

That’s when you step in:

• Firm leash redirection Pop

• Quick “Wooo”

• Change direction with purpose, if you can't regain control (Like a circle)

• Keep moving, keep calm

Correction means: “That energy isn’t allowed.”

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Stop Trying to Distract — Start Leading

Here’s what doesn’t work:

❌ Treats every time a dog walks by

❌ Telling your dog “It’s okay” as they bark (That rewards the dog, usually because it's in a rewarding tone)

❌ Turning around every time they lunge

Those tactics avoid the issue. They don’t solve it.

Your dog doesn’t need distractions. Your dog needs direction.

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Final Word

If your dog is out of control on walks, it’s not about getting them tired. It’s about getting them respectful. And respect only shows up when you lead first.

✔️ Start calm

✔️ Use the right tools

✔️ Enforce Heel

✔️ Correct early

✔️ Walk with purpose

📞 Want to turn your chaos walks into calm, controlled leadership? Contact Elite K9 Service. We’ll help you fix the walk — and everything that comes with it.