With four kids and two dogs, my wife and I regularly faced chaotic walks that were frustrating, embarrassing, and even unsafe due to excessive leash pulling. In an effort to make our walks enjoyable, I started researching training techniques and products that claim to stop dogs from pulling. To my surprise, I discovered that many so-called "no-pull" collars rely on punishment-based methods—like electric shocks or spiked chokers—that can cause physical pain, injury, and emotional stress for dogs. These harsh methods risk weakening the unique bond we share with our dogs, a bond we aim to protect and nurture.