If walking your dog feels more like being towed down the trail, the problem probably is not your leash, collar, or lack of exercise. It is the way your dog has learned the walk.
In this episode of Dog Works Radio, Michele Forto from Alaska Dog Works explains why dogs pull, how owners accidentally reinforce the behavior, and why equipment alone rarely solves the problem. She breaks down the importance of timing, teaching the dog that a slack leash keeps the walk moving, and practicing the behavior where it actually matters: neighborhoods, parking lots, sidewalks, trails, and busy Alaska trailheads.
A reliable walk should work whether you are heading through Wasilla on a Tuesday or Anchorage on a Saturday. The goal is not simply getting your dog tired enough to stop pulling. It is training both ends of the leash so the behavior holds up in real life.



