Leash walking
What if one of my two dogs pulls on the leash and the other doesn't?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Address the puller's training separately from the calm dog, since walking them together every time can actually teach the well behaved dog to start pulling too, either by imitation or simply to keep pace. Give the puller extra individual training sessions on its own before expecting good behavior consistently in a joint walk.
Why the calm dog can pick up the habit
Dogs are social learners, and a calm dog walked regularly beside a puller can start mirroring that behavior over weeks, especially if pulling gets the pair somewhere exciting faster. This is one reason it is worth solving the pulling problem rather than simply working around it long term.
Splitting training time
Give the puller 2 to 3 individual sessions a week using the standard stop and reward method, separate from joint walks, while still enjoying regular joint walks with the calm dog for bonding and exercise. This targets the actual problem without penalizing the well behaved dog's daily routine.
Managing joint walks in the meantime
Until the puller improves, using a front clip harness on that dog specifically, and holding its leash in your dominant hand for better control, helps keep joint walks manageable without derailing the calmer dog's good habits.
Key takeaways
- Walking a puller alongside a calm dog can teach the calm dog to start pulling too over time.
- Give the puller dedicated individual training sessions separate from joint walks.
- A front clip harness on the puller specifically helps manage joint walks in the meantime.
- Solving the underlying pulling issue protects both dogs' walking habits long term.