If your Cavalier freezes, backs away, or flattens like a pancake when you pick up the harness and leash, I made this video for you. I see leash fear a lot—especially with sensitive Cavaliers, rescues, and even brand-new puppies who just don’t know what the leash means yet. The goal isn’t to force them to “get over it.” It’s to rebuild trust and teach your dog that the harness and leash predict good things, not panic. I walk you through a gentle, step-by-step plan using positive reinforcement. If you can, I recommend starting fresh with a new harness and leash because the old one may carry negative associations (and scent matters). I also show how to “let it live” in the environment so it stops feeling like a scary object that suddenly appears. Then I demonstrate with Dexter how I mark and reward tiny steps: seeing the harness, it moving near them (to the side, not into their face), targeting it, and eventually slipping their head through. Finally, I teach movement with the leash with zero tension—short, easy sessions with tossed treats and “find it”—so your Cavalier learns the leash means fun and safety.