• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

5 tips to successfully leash train your puppy

Posted July 27, 2019

 
Jack Russell terrier wears a harness, which makes it easier to leash train your puppy.
To successfully leash train your puppy, start early, and use lots of treats. Other helpful hints: use a harness, make walks fun, and build in time to sniff.

Training your puppy to walk on a leash is a crucial skill for both your dog and you. Walks are infinitely more fun when you don’t have to fight a dog that pulls or becomes aggressive while using a leash. But getting a dog to walk by your side calmly is more challenging than it seems. So, what’s the secret to leash train your puppy?

Start early

Contents

  • Start early
  • Focus on basic commands
  • Use the right equipment
    • The collar
    • The leash
    • A harness
  • Make it fun
  • Practice, practice, practice
  • Develop this critical skill
    • Related Posts
Boxer puppy looks at owner during dog walk. Work with your dog to get his focus during dog walks.
Don’t reward your dog for pulling on the leash and failing to focus during dog walks.

Some trainers suggest attaching a leash to your dog’s collar, then let him drag it around the house. If you do that, keep a close eye on your pup so he doesn’t get caught on anything. 

Others recommend making walks part of your dog’s daily schedule from the beginning. For example, use short on-leash walks as part of your potty-training routine.

When your puppy is young, she’ll likely have little bursts of energy, so keep the walks short. You may only be able to take a trip around the block.

For the first day or two, don’t worry about trying to control your puppy on the leash. This is a time for the dog to get used to wearing a collar and understanding that they are attached to you.

Whether your dog walks on your left side or your right is up to you. Dogs that compete in obedience or agility walk on the owner’s left side. Most owners prefer to keep their dogs on the left because they are right-handed. Holding the leash in your left-hand keeps your dominant hand free to carry treats or the all-important poop bag.

Focus on basic commands

When you’re ready to start training, attach the leash, and make your dog sit. Get your dog’s attention and give a “walk” command. Walk slowly and keep the dog a short leash. If you have a dog that won’t walk and you need to motivate him to move, hold a treat in front of your pup’s nose.

If your dog is moving well, stop every five to 10 steps to praise your dog and give her a treat. Once your dog understands the concept, start increasing the distance before you give praise or treats.

Stop immediately if your dog pulls on the leash. Stand still if your dog continues to pull. Your dog will quickly learn that pulling ends the walk (at least temporarily). Some trainers also recommend stopping if the dog tries to walk ahead of you or behind you.

Make your dog sit again. When you have your dog’s attention, give the “walk” command, and start moving again. Most dogs master this concept quickly. They love spending time with you, and they love walking.

While training a puppy to walk on a leash is easier, both because they are smaller and more flexible, it’s never too late to leash train a dog. If you’re working with a big, strong dog, one that is especially stubborn, or one that already developed bad habits, you’ll need to be patient.

The process will take longer, but it can be done. A Michigan State University study shows a sweet spot for training older dogs at age six after they pass the excitable puppy stage, but before they become too set in their ways.

Use the right equipment

Dog holds leash in mouth while waiting for walk. Responsible dog owners walk their dogs every day.
Responsible dog owners walk their dogs every day.

The collar

Start by getting your puppy used to wearing a quick-release collar. Most dogs adjust quickly to wearing a collar, but others act like they are choking.

Be sure the collar isn’t too tight. You should be able to slip a finger between the collar and your puppy’s neck. If there’s more space, it’s too loose. That can be dangerous because your dog could catch it on something and choke or slip his head through it and run off if you’re outside and he gets frightened.

The leash

Choose a six-foot leash that works for you. Most dog-training classes require the six-foot length.

Some people prefer leather leashes, while others prefer nylon. Whatever you do, don’t choose a retractable leash. They don’t let you adequately control your dog, and their design encourages pulling.

A harness

Rather than hook the leash to your puppy’s collar, consider using a harness to reduce the risk of injury to your puppy’s neck or throat.

Using a harness also makes it easier to keep your dog by your side. Most harnesses manufactured now are easy to slip on and off.

When I got my dog, Browning, several years ago, the harness I bought was a complicated mess of straps and buckles. It was hard to put on and take off, and we rarely used it.

After I got my dog, Sydney, I purchased a soft, cloth Cloak & Dawggie harness that she stepped into and that hooked on the back with Velcro. It was quick and easy to put on and take off.

For the past month or so, we’ve been using an All-In-One No Pull Harness from Pug Life provided by the company. Despite the company’s breed-specific name, it manufacturers harness for all sizes (over 12 pounds) and breeds.

The company says the harness prevents pulling and helps train your dog to walk beside you. It also says the harnesses are durable and easy to use. They also offer a reflective strip that runs across your dog’s chest to make you both more visible on nighttime walks.

It was easy to adjust the harness to fit Sydney, who weighs about 26 pounds. Now, when we’re ready to walk, I slip it over her head and buckle the strap that runs under her belly. The buckle is stiff, which gives me confidence that it won’t pop open, but it could be challenging to use if you have weak hands or suffer from a condition like arthritis that limits strength or mobility.

Because she already walked by my side, I can’t say if the harness helped us with that, but with multiple rings, it is designed to help you control your pup and keep her by your side.

Make it fun

dog-walking app
Repetition is your friend. Dogs love routine, so especially in the beginning, taking walks at the same time of day is helpful.

In the beginning, keep walks short and fun. Use lots of treats and praise to encourage good behavior.

Be sure to include time for sniffing and going potty. I find if I let Sydney take care of business and do some sniffing at the beginning of the walk, she’s ready to go and can walk for several miles without interruptions.

Practice, practice, practice

Repetition is your friend. Dogs love routine, so especially in the beginning, taking walks at the same time of day is helpful. For example, take your puppy out for a short walk first thing in the morning.

Not only will this help your dog with potty training, but it also helps establish that walking is part of the morning routine.

Consider adding walks at other times during the day – at lunchtime, after work, right before bed. The walks don’t have to last the same amount of time, and they don’t have to cover the same route.

Taking your dog on different routes through the neighborhood serves several purposes.

One, it helps your dog understand the area where you live, which will make it easier for your dog to find his way home if he ever gets out.

Two, walking different routes provides more opportunities to socialize your dog by letting her meet your neighbors and their dogs. Socialization helps build your dog’s confidence and reduces the risk it will become aggressive. And meeting your neighbors is a bonus for you, too.

Three, by getting your dog out in your neighborhood, your neighbors become allies who will help your dog get home if she gets out.

Develop this critical skill

When owners who surrender their dogs cite behavior problems, one of the top reasons is walking poorly on a leash. The others include soiling in the house, excessive barking, and aggression.

Give your puppy the skills he needs to be a good dog and focus on leash training from the beginning. If you walk your dog the right way starting on the first day home, that establishes a foundation for creating a calm, well-mannered dog that you can take almost anywhere.

leash train puppy
Courtesy PupBox

Sara B. HansenSara B. Hansen has spent 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching DogsBestLife.com in 2011. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007). You can reach Sara @ [email protected].

Related Posts

  • Boxer puppy looks at owner during dog walk. Work with your dog to get his focus during dog walks.
    10 ways to get your dog to focus during dog walks

    Don't reward your dog for pulling on the leash and…

  • dog walking info
    7 tips to make the most of daily dog walks

    Try to take daily dog walks. Pick a place that's…

  • get your dog's attention
    Dog walks boost fitness for dogs, owners

    Dog walks boost fitness for dogs and their owners. In…

  • Think of your leash as a telephone line to your dog. When you are walking your dog properly, you should both be relaxed. Your hands should be at waist level. Your dog should be at your left side...not in front of you...not behind you. Ideally, the leash should be relaxed enough so there is a U in the leash, between you and your dog.
    Dogs get more than just exercise from walking

    Dog walking benefits: Great exercise for both of you, bonding…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Training, Home Page Tagged With: Dog walks

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Potty trainingtraining tipsPomeranianPet parentsRescue dogSheddingPet sitterPuppy kindergartenSeparation anxietyPuppy-proofYorkshire terrierWorking dogsTicksPawPit bullService dogsThanksgivingOutdoor activitiesRottweilerTwo dogsPandemicOld dogsPoodleSmall dogsVeterinarianPetfinder.comSocializationWaterValentine's DayVacation dog care

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort: The ultimate guide for dog owners
    Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort is crucial for the well-being of your pet. This guide is for you if you want to achieve this balance. […]
  • The importance of a balanced diet for dogs: Why and how you should care
    Feed your dog a balanced diet with the right mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Ensure they get the right amounts to stay healthy. […]
  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.