Change what pulling earns
If the puppy reaches people while the leash is tight, pulling has worked. Ask friendly strangers to wait. Move away in a curve and try again only if the puppy can settle. It is also fine to skip the greeting entirely.
Use one clear sentence with other handlers: “We are practicing passing today.” Your puppy does not need access to every dog, child, or person who asks.
Practice before the puppy erupts
Start across the street or at the edge of a quiet park. Mark when the puppy sees the distraction and remains able to eat. Reward near your leg, then move on. Short repetitions prevent staring from building into a surge.
If the puppy cannot turn or take food, increase distance. Holding a social puppy in place close to the greeting can create more frustration.
Make greetings conditional and brief
Choose calm people and known suitable dogs. Approach on a curved path. If the leash tightens, stop or step away. When it softens, continue. Release the puppy for a short greeting, then call away and reward.
Read whether dogs should greet on leash before allowing dog to dog meetings. Many sidewalk greetings are better skipped.
Teach an alternative
Reward voluntary check ins, a hand target, or walking beside you for several steps. The replacement should be simple enough to perform around excitement.
Give the puppy planned social time in appropriate settings so every walk does not carry the entire social need. Quality matters more than the number of greetings.
When excitement becomes reactivity
Barking and lunging can grow from frustration, fear, or both. Do not assume a wagging tail proves the puppy is comfortable. Stiff posture, hard staring, inability to disengage, or snapping deserves professional assessment.
Sudden behavior change, coughing after pulling, or pain with equipment needs veterinary attention. Training should not continue on an injured neck or body.
Plan the social part of the walk
Decide in advance whether the outing includes greetings. On a passing practice walk, do not change the rule because one stranger is enthusiastic. On a planned greeting, choose a calm person, a wide space, and a puppy who can still respond before approaching.
Keep a simple record of distance and recovery rather than counting greetings. A useful improvement is the puppy noticing someone from closer range, turning back more quickly, or walking on without vocalizing. Repeated close exposure that leaves the puppy frantic is not progress.
Greeting pulls are one kind of pulling. For the everyday version on a normal walk, the guide to stopping leash pulling goes through the whole routine.