Loose-Leash Walking for Pullers (Even Excited Shelties!)

Welcome to The Chronicles

I’m Greg, mostly known as Daddy on our Youtube videos. I’m the guy holding the leashes, filling the food bowls, and occasionally negotiating treaties between three opinionated Shelties. Twice a month, in this newsletter, you’ll find more than just our usual chaos and comedy: we’ll dig into real tips on caring for your pup, from training breakthroughs to health check reminders, from grooming shortcuts to keeping your sofa at least mostly fur-free. And because this is life with Biscuit, Cricket, and Kevin, you can count on a dash of humor, a cartoon or two, and plenty of stories that prove dogs are not only family—they’re the best teachers we’ll ever have. Now on to this weeks’ main article (loose leash walking).

Realistic solutions for dogs who think
they’re auditioning for a sled team

Walking three Shelties should look like a postcard: the proud owner, strolling peacefully down the lane with three fluffy companions prancing at his side. Reality? Try me, at dusk, bent backward like I’ve been cast in The Matrix, one arm stretched to the limit as Biscuit launches toward a squirrel, Cricket stomps in protest because we’ve stopped again, and Kevin—sweet Kevin—is happily dragging me in the opposite direction because he spotted a pinecone.

Let’s just say there are days when the neighbors don’t see “a man walking his dogs.” They see “a man being walked by three furry sled teams with poor coordination.”

But here’s the thing: loose leash walking isn’t a fantasy reserved for Labradors in glossy training brochures. Even Shelties—yes, those sharp-eyed, motor-brained herders who treat every fluttering leaf as if it’s plotting against the household—can learn to walk politely. It takes patience, a bit of humor, and a strategy that doesn’t involve investing in orthopedic shoulder surgery.

Why Do Dogs Pull in the First Place?

Let’s give them credit: pulling works. A dog leans forward, the leash goes tight, and what happens? They get closer to the smell, the tree, the fire hydrant, the neighbor’s compost bin. In their minds, they’re making progress. It’s like pressing the gas pedal on a car and watching it roll forward—simple cause and effect.

Biscuit, in particular, has mastered this. In her head: “I pull, Daddy moves. I win. Business strategy complete.” Meanwhile, Kevin doesn’t even realize he’s pulling—he just wants to keep up with Biscuit. Cricket, ever the brainy one, doesn’t pull much but makes a sport of pointing out when the other two are pulling. She’s the hall monitor of the leash world.

So the first truth about loose-leash walking: dogs don’t do it naturally. If you want a dog who doesn’t haul you like a sled, you have to teach them that being near you is the best game in town.

The Secret Weapon: Stop, Start, Repeat

I wish I could tell you there’s a magic gadget that fixes leash pulling. Spoiler: there isn’t. Not a retractable leash, not a spiked collar, not even the fancy harness with buckles that make you feel like you’re strapping in for a spacewalk.

The most reliable technique is the simplest—and yes, the most maddening at first: stop when they pull, move forward when the leash slackens.

It feels like walking a toddler through a candy aisle—five steps, stop, five steps, stop—but here’s the magic: consistency pays off. After a week of this, Kevin realized the only way to get to his pinecones was to walk at my pace. Biscuit still treats it like hostile negotiation, but even she has conceded that dragging Daddy doesn’t speed up her mission.

Tools That Actually Help

Tools aren’t shortcuts, but the right ones make training safer and easier.

A few favourites:

• Front clips: Clips on the chest, not the back, so when Biscuit lunges she turns toward me instead of dragging me across the sidewalk like an old sled.

• Six-foot leash (not retractable): Retractables are like handing your dog an accordion. You’ll spend the whole walk playing tug-of-war with physics.

• After: Loose-leash walking is work, and workers deserve wages. In our house, that’s freeze-dried liver or Chicken. Cricket thinks it’s beneath her, but even she bends the rules for a little Chicken jerky.

Reward Calm, Not Chaos

It’s tempting to yank the leash and mutter things under your breath, but remember: dogs repeat what pays. So when Kevin, by some miracle, ambles at my side, I pay him like he just discovered fire. “Good boy, Kev! Have a liver chunk!” The more he’s rewarded for calm walking, the less he bothers testing the tow rope.

With Biscuit, it’s a little trickier. She knows she’s being bribed and treats it like a business negotiation: “Yes, Daddy, I will walk politely, but only if you double my rate. Preferably cheese this time.”

Manage Expectations

If you’re picturing perfect heelwork, forget it. Loose leash walking isn’t about military precision—it’s about enjoying the walk without shoulder reconstruction. Some days my three Shelties actually manage to trot nicely beside me, ears bouncing, tails high. Other days it’s a parade of sudden stops, tangled leashes, and me reminding myself that patience is free and ibuprofen is cheap.

And that’s okay. Training is a process, not a product. Each walk is one rep in the long game.

Final Thought

Loose leash walking is less about teaching your dog to follow rules and more about teaching them that life’s fun is found with you, not ten feet ahead. Whether you’re wrangling one excitable pup or three determined Shelties, the key is consistency, good humor, and the occasional liver treat.

And if you see me in the neighborhood being dragged sideways while Biscuit argues with a squirrel, Kevin goes pinecone-hunting, and Cricket files a complaint—just know we’re working on it.

Question from Susan in Halifax:

Question for Kevin:
“Kevin, what do you do if you see a big scary dog on your walk?”

Kevin’s Answer:
Oh. Um… I just wave at him. If he doesn’t wave back, then I know he’s not friendly. One time I waved at a mailbox too. It also didn’t wave back, so… probably dangerous.

Every episode, Biscuit, Cricket or Kevin (you choose) will comment on one short message or question from a reader. Feel free to send in a photo if you’d like. We might be able to use it! So think of a good one and send all questions and comments to [email protected]

What’s New on The Cricket Chronicles

Words of Wisdom from Biscuit

The Chronicle Photo Vault

A Final Note

Until next time,

The Dad, the Mom and all the Pups!

The Chronicles publishes around the 1st & the 15th of every month.
Add your email to get every edition!