Can you use a leash and still be force free? | Hannah Branigan

In this thought-provoking episode of *Drinking From the Toilet*, host Hannah Branigan tackles the controversial question: can you use a leash and still be force-free? She acknowledges that leashes inherently carry the potential for aversive experiences—especially if used with force—but argues that intent and impact must be considered separately. Branigan emphasizes that force-free training is a value-driven, aspirational goal, not a perfect state. She explains that even well-intentioned trainers may occasionally use a leash in a way that feels like force (e.g., yanking a dog back from the street), but what matters most is how the trainer responds afterward: reflecting, adjusting the training plan, and reinforcing positive behaviors. She reframes the leash not as a tool of control, but as a potential tactile cue—trainable through positive reinforcement—like a seatbelt that reduces risk without causing harm. Branigan also shares practical strategies for turning leash movement into a neutral, positive cue using stimulus pairing, target training, or cue transfer, all without relying on pressure or aversives. Ultimately, she asserts that being a positive reinforcement trainer isn’t about perfection, but about continuous growth, self-awareness, and the willingness to adapt.