Go Sniff & No Pull
Week 3
Two Ideas to Understand
When puppies begin leash walking, one of the most important things to remember is that walks are not just about exercise — they are about exploration and sniffing.
Allowing your puppy to sniff and explore their environment supports their mental enrichment and helps them process the world around them. The goal of this exercise is to allow freedom to sniff while teaching one important rule:
Don’t pull on the leash.
Quick Notes
Use these tips to help your puppy understand that staying near your side keeps the walk moving and earns rewards.
Puppies should be allowed to explore and sniff during walks.
Sniffing helps provide mental stimulation and helps puppies process their environment.
The main rule during sniffing is simple: no pulling on the leash.
The cue “No Pull” should be used before your puppy starts pulling, not after.
If your puppy releases tension on the leash and looks back to you, reward them at your side.
Always give the treat where you want your puppy to walk — next to your leg.
Practicing this exercise teaches your puppy that being close to you is the best place to be during a walk.
No Pull Demonstration
Teacher Demonstration with puppy in class
In this demonstration, Laura and Hoagie show how to teach the No Pull cue by first rewarding the puppy in the correct walking position next to her side. She then gives the cue “No Pull” and introduces a distraction. When the puppy releases leash tension and returns to the correct walking position, the puppy is rewarded.
This teaches the puppy that checking back in with their handler is more rewarding than pulling toward distractions.
Class Experience - No Pull
Practice at home!
Start practicing this exercise inside your home first.
Place your puppy next to your side where they would normally walk and reward them for staying there. Then introduce a small distraction and give the cue “No Pull.” When your puppy looks back to you and releases tension on the leash, reward them at your side.
As your puppy improves, practice in different rooms of your house.
Dogs do not automatically understand that a behavior applies everywhere, so practicing in multiple locations helps them learn the rule in new environments.
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More Discussion on No Pull
Additional tips and content
These tips will help your puppy better understand the No Pull cue and develop strong loose leash walking habits.
The cue “No Pull” should always be given before your puppy pulls, not after the leash becomes tight.
If the cue is given after pulling, puppies may learn a “yo-yo” pattern where they pull forward and then return for a reward.
Reward your puppy as soon as they release tension on the leash and return their attention to you.
Always give rewards in the walking position next to your side, where you want your puppy to walk.
If your puppy keeps making mistakes, make the exercise easier by reducing the distraction.
You can gradually increase the difficulty by moving distractions closer over time.
Mark and reward small successes — even one second of staying near your side is worth reinforcing.
Avoid waiting for your puppy to fail before rewarding; instead reward the correct position early and often while they are learning.
Go Sniff Demonstration
Teacher Demonstration with Puppy
In this demonstration, Laura shows how to introduce the “Go Sniff” release cue during a walk. First, she rewards the puppy for being in the correct walking position next to her side. Once the puppy is in that spot and paying attention, she gives the cue “Go Sniff!” and begins walking, allowing the puppy to explore and sniff while staying on the leash.
During the walk, Laura continues to watch the puppy’s behavior. If the puppy stays near her side, she marks and rewards that position. If the puppy begins to focus on something that might cause pulling, she can give the “No Pull” cue before the leash becomes tight and reward the puppy for returning to the correct walking position. This helps the puppy learn that they can enjoy sniffing and exploring while still staying connected to their handler.