If you’ve ever taken your Affenpinscher outside for a “nice relaxing walk”… and instead got dragged down the street like you’re being walked by your dog, you’re not alone. Leash pulling can turn a simple potty break into a full-body workout (and not the fun kind).
And the worst part? Your Affenpinscher is so small and cute that people assume it’s “no big deal.” But IMO, leash pulling is a big deal — not because your Affen is “bad,” but because pulling can lead to bad habits, stress, and unsafe walks.
I’m writing this because I’ve seen how fast leash pulling becomes a daily routine for small dogs — especially confident little breeds like Affenpinschers. They’re smart, determined, and honestly… a little bossy in the most adorable way. The good news? You can absolutely teach your Affenpinscher to walk politely on a leash — even if you’re starting from zero.
Let’s fix it step-by-step, beginner style.
Why Affenpinschers Pull on the Leash (It’s Not Just “Stubbornness”)
Before we jump into training, let’s quickly talk about why your Affenpinscher pulls in the first place — because understanding the “why” makes the “how to fix it” much easier.
Your Affenpinscher might pull because:
- Everything outside is exciting (smells, dogs, people, birds… all the drama)
- They’ve learned pulling works (pulling = they reach the thing they want)
- They feel rushed or overstimulated
- They’re under-exercised (too much energy)
- Their leash setup isn’t comfortable or secure
And yes… sometimes Affenpinschers pull because they’re confident little characters who like being in charge. 😄
Pulling is usually not disobedience — it’s simply a learned behavior.
Key takeaway:
✅ Dogs repeat what gets results. If pulling gets them forward, they’ll keep pulling.
First, Fix These Common Mistakes (They Make Pulling Worse)
A lot of leash pulling problems stick around because of small habits we don’t even notice.
Here are a few common mistakes that accidentally train pulling:
1) You keep walking while they pull
This teaches your dog:
Pulling = I get to go where I want.
2) You constantly yank the leash
This can create frustration, anxiety, and even leash reactivity.
3) You only practice on “real walks”
Real walks are distracting. Training needs easy mode first.
4) You let them pull “sometimes”
Dogs don’t understand “only pull on Tuesdays.”
If pulling works sometimes, they’ll pull even more.
Consistency is everything.
Choose the Right Gear (Big Results from Small Changes)
Before you train, make sure you’re not fighting your own equipment.
Best beginner gear for Affenpinschers:
- A front-clip harness (helps turn your dog back toward you gently)
- A lightweight 4–6 ft leash (not retractable)
- High-value treats (soft and tiny = perfect)
- Optional: a treat pouch for quick rewards
Avoid these (especially for small breeds):
- Retractable leashes (they reward pulling nonstop)
- Choke chains or harsh corrections
- Collar-only walking if your Affen coughs or strains (small dogs have sensitive throats)
Quick tip: If your Affenpinscher pulls hard, a harness is much safer than a collar.
The Goal: Loose Leash Walking (Not “Perfect Heel”)
Let’s be real… you don’t need your Affenpinscher to walk like a military dog. You just want peaceful walks where the leash isn’t tight and you’re not being yanked around.
So the goal is this:
✅ Loose leash walking = your dog can sniff, explore, and walk ahead a little…
…but the leash stays relaxed.
That’s it.
And yes — this is 100% trainable.
Step-by-Step: How To Stop Your Affenpinscher From Pulling On Leash
This section is your beginner-friendly game plan. Start simple, build habits, and stay consistent.
Step 1: Teach Your Affenpinscher That Being Near You Pays
Before you step outside, practice this inside your home.
Training game: “Follow Me = Treat”
- Stand still with your dog on leash
- Take 1–2 steps forward
- The moment your dog follows you and the leash stays loose…
- Say “Yes!” and give a treat
Repeat this for 2–3 minutes.
What this teaches:
Your Affenpinscher learns: staying near you = rewards.
Step 2: Use the “Stop Like a Tree” Method
This is one of the most effective beginner methods — and it’s super simple.
When your dog pulls:
- Stop walking immediately
- Say nothing (don’t argue with your dog 😅)
- Wait for the leash to loosen (even slightly)
- The second it loosens, say “Yes!”
- Then continue walking
This teaches:
✅ Pulling stops the walk
✅ Loose leash starts the walk
Important: Your timing matters. Reward the moment the leash relaxes.
Step 3: Do the “Turn and Go” (For Strong Pullers)
Some Affenpinschers will pull and pull and pull like they’re on a mission. If stopping doesn’t work, use this:
Turn and go method
- Your dog pulls
- Calmly turn around
- Walk the other direction
- Reward when your dog catches up and leash goes loose
Repeat as needed.
It’s not punishment — it’s just changing direction.
This works because:
Your Affen learns pulling doesn’t get them closer to their goal.
Step 4: Reward the Behavior You Want (Constantly at First)
Loose leash walking is a skill. And at the beginning, your dog needs a LOT of feedback.
In the early days, reward:
- Walking next to you
- Looking up at you
- Choosing not to pull
- Turning back to you
You can treat every few steps at first.
Then slowly reduce treats over time.
Golden rule:
🎯 Reward what you want repeated.
Step 5: Add a Simple Cue Like “Let’s Go”
Once your dog starts understanding the pattern, add a cue.
Examples:
- “Let’s go”
- “With me”
- “Easy”
Say the cue right before you start moving.
Over time, your Affenpinscher connects the cue to walking politely.
The Secret Weapon: Train in Low-Distraction Places First
If you train loose leash walking only on a busy street, you’re basically playing “hard mode” with a beginner dog.
Start here:
- Living room
- Hallway
- Backyard
- Driveway
- Quiet sidewalk
Then gradually move to more exciting locations.
Upgrade training locations like this:
- Indoors
- Backyard
- Quiet street
- Slightly busy street
- Park (early morning)
- Park (peak hours)
This is how you win without frustration.
Teach “Check-In” (The Habit That Stops Pulling Before It Starts)
This is one of my favorite tricks for small, alert breeds like Affenpinschers.
A check-in is when your dog looks at you during the walk.
We want your Affen to think:
“Let me see what my human is doing.”
How to train check-ins:
- Walk normally
- The moment your Affen looks at you…
- Say “Yes!”
- Treat immediately
Do this often.
Soon your dog will check in more and more because it pays off.
Why it works:
Dogs that check in pull less because they’re mentally connected to you.
What To Do When Your Affenpinscher Pulls Toward Dogs or People
This is super common. Your Affen might pull because they’re excited, curious, nervous, or trying to “protect” you.
Beginner fix: Create distance + reward calm behavior
When you see a trigger (dog/person):
- Step to the side or turn around
- Create space
- Reward your Affen before they pull
Look for calm signals like:
- Soft body posture
- Looking away
- Sniffing
- Walking nicely
Pro tip: Pulling is often the last step. Catch them earlier.
The “Sniff Break” Trick (Yes, You Can Use Sniffing as a Reward)
Affenpinschers LOVE sniffing. And sniffing is a powerful reward — sometimes even better than treats.
Here’s how to use sniffing the smart way:
Sniffing rule:
✅ Loose leash = sniff time
❌ Tight leash = no sniff time
So if your dog pulls toward a spot:
- Stop
- Wait for slack leash
- Then walk them to the spot and say “Go sniff!”
This teaches your Affen:
I get what I want by staying polite.
FYI — this is one of the easiest ways to stop constant pulling long-term.
How Long Does It Take to Stop Leash Pulling?
This depends on:
- How long they’ve been pulling
- How consistent you are
- How exciting your environment is
But most beginner owners notice improvement in:
- 3–7 days (small changes + fewer pulling moments)
- 2–4 weeks (better habits and calmer walks)
- 6–8 weeks (loose leash walking becomes normal)
The biggest difference comes from daily practice — even 5–10 minutes.
Simple 10-Minute Daily Training Routine (Beginner Friendly)
If you’re not sure what to do each day, here’s a routine you can repeat:
Daily leash training plan
Minute 1–2: Indoor warm-up
- 1–2 steps → treat for loose leash
Minute 3–5: Backyard or driveway
- Stop-like-a-tree method
- Reward check-ins
Minute 6–10: Real walk practice
- Reward loose leash
- Use “turn and go” if pulling starts
- Give 1–2 sniff breaks as rewards
That’s it.
Short training sessions beat long stressful walks every time.
Troubleshooting: Why Your Affenpinscher Keeps Pulling (And Fixes That Work)
Let’s solve the common “why isn’t this working?” moments.
Problem 1: My Affen only pulls at the start of the walk
Totally normal. They’re excited.
✅ Fix:
- Do a 1-minute training warm-up inside
- Step outside and reward heavily for the first 20 steps
- Stop often if pulling happens
Problem 2: My dog pulls worse when they see a dog
Your Affen is over threshold — too excited or stressed to listen.
✅ Fix:
- Create distance ASAP
- Reward calm behavior early
- Don’t force greetings
Problem 3: Treats don’t work outside
That means the environment is more rewarding than the treat.
✅ Fix:
- Upgrade treats (chicken, cheese, freeze-dried)
- Train in quieter areas first
- Reward faster (timing matters)
Problem 4: My Affen is small but pulls HARD
Small dogs can pull like tiny tractors, seriously.
✅ Fix:
- Use a front-clip harness
- Walk shorter routes while training
- Practice turns and direction changes
Problem 5: My dog pulls nonstop no matter what
This usually means you’re accidentally rewarding pulling somewhere.
✅ Fix:
- Stop walking the second the leash tightens
- Don’t allow “just this once” pulling
- Keep sessions short and consistent
Extra Tips That Make Training Easier (Especially for Beginners)
Here are a few simple changes that can make a huge difference:
- Walk your Affen when they’re slightly tired (training is easier)
- Keep training sessions short and positive
- Avoid rushing — dogs pull more when they feel pressure
- Use your voice calmly (no yelling)
- Celebrate small wins
Important reminder:
Your Affenpinscher isn’t trying to ruin your day. They’re just doing what works.
And once you teach a better habit? They’ll happily do that too.
When You Should Get Professional Help
Most leash pulling can be fixed at home. But if your Affenpinscher does any of these, it’s worth getting help from a certified trainer:
- Lunging and barking aggressively
- Fearful behavior (tail tucked, shaking, panicking)
- Snapping when restrained
- Extreme reactivity on walks
A trainer can help you build confidence and keep things safe.
Conclusion: Your Affenpinscher CAN Learn to Walk Nicely
If your Affenpinscher pulls on the leash, it doesn’t mean you failed — it just means your dog learned a habit that worked. Now you’re going to teach a better one.
Here’s the simple plan to remember:
✅ Use the right harness and leash
✅ Stop walking when your Affen pulls
✅ Reward the moment the leash is loose
✅ Practice in easy places first
✅ Train check-ins and use sniffing as a reward
And most importantly… be patient with yourself. Beginner training is all about progress, not perfection. Your Affenpinscher is smart, funny, and totally capable of learning polite walking — and you’re more capable than you think.
So next time you grab that leash, take a deep breath and think:
“Today we’re practicing, not rushing.”