Cog-Dog Radio Why Does My Dog Still Pull?
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Mar 3, 2026 A deep dive into why leash-pulling resurfaces even after training. Exploration of dogs’ natural trot and the challenge of matching human pace. Clear reasons for relapses like motivation, coordination, and regulation issues. Practical hacks for quick check-ins, changing direction, and pacing. Guidance on when and how to use no-pull tools and choosing gear that helps biomechanics.
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Dogs Move Faster Than Humans By Default
- Dogs naturally prefer a faster trot than humans and won't spontaneously match our walking pace.
- Sarah Stremming explains this mismatch as a biomechanics/synchrony problem requiring deliberate training to produce shared pace.
Teach Pace Matching And Reward With Movement
- Teach and reward dogs for matching your pace and then match theirs as a contingent reward.
- Sarah advises using auto check-ins and practicing connection off-leash so leash time transfers that synchrony.
Pulling Reflects Motivation And Training Contingencies
- Pulling can come from shifting motivation or from how the skill was taught (food vs natural contingencies).
- If you trained with food or corrections and then removed them, dogs may revert because the contingency changed.