The sight of a human and dog walking harmoniously down the sidewalk, leash loose as if entirely unnecessary, sparks envy in many dog owners who dare to dream of such behavior from their own pets. What this perfect picture doesn’t show, however, is the amount of time, effort, and training that goes into teaching a dog how to comfortably walk on a leash. Although it’s not natural for a dog to walk on a leash, it’s required in many cities and veterinarian offices. The sooner you begin leash training your dog, the sooner you and your pet will become that perfect picture!
Ideally, leash training should begin around eight weeks of age. At this stage, your puppy is mature enough to learn basic commands like “come” or “let’s go.” If your dog is older, don’t worry—leash training is still possible, though it may require a bit more patience and effort, especially if poor leash habits are already ingrained.
To prepare your dog for the leash, start by getting them used to wearing a collar. Put the collar on for short periods and try to distract your dog from biting or trying to remove it. Avoid removing the collar while your dog is actively fighting it; instead, wait until they are calm and tolerant before taking it off. Once your dog is comfortable with the collar, introduce the leash. Let them play or eat while wearing it—under your supervision—so they associate the leash with fun and positive experiences. A six-foot nylon, non-extendable leash works best.
Using Dog Treats When Training
The key to starting leash training is teaching your dog to come to you when called. Using treats is perfectly acceptable—just be sure to pair them with verbal praise. You can begin training in your own backyard. Have your dog wear the collar and leash and allow them to explore freely. Call them to you, and when they respond, offer a treat. Then, show another treat and have them follow you for a short distance. After a minute or so, reward them again. Gradually increase the distance and duration to reinforce that following you and paying attention leads to treats and praise.
When you’re ready to venture beyond the backyard, arm yourself with motivation—typically food. Keep the first few walks short, and remember that until your dog learns to walk without pulling, every outing is a training session. Begin walking and use a cue such as “walk” or “let’s go.” If your dog follows, say “good walk.” If they freeze or refuse to move, drop a few treats in front of them, keep the leash loose, and wait. Never pull or drag your dog, as it may frighten them further. You can also try touching their hindquarters gently to encourage movement or turn your back and wait for them to grow bored of sitting still.
If your dog lunges forward and pulls, stop walking. Do not pull back. As soon as your dog realizes that pulling leads to a dead end—because you’re no longer moving—redirect their attention and motivate them to follow you in another direction. Turning the walk into a game makes it more engaging for your puppy and more enjoyable for you.
For older dogs who are habitual pullers, simply stopping may not be enough. The goal is to maintain a loose leash at all times, so it’s important that your dog doesn’t experience constant leash tension. Pay close attention to your arm position: keep your arm relaxed, slightly bent, with your elbow close to your body. An extended arm offers less control. As soon as the leash becomes taut, straighten your arm to create slack and take a step in another direction. Your dog may feel the shift and notice they missed a cue, encouraging them to focus more on your body language than on the leash itself.
Leash training can be an incredibly rewarding process and is essential for a safe, well-exercised pet. Your dog will enjoy trips beyond the yard, and you’ll enjoy the ease of walking side by side. Who knows? You might even become the envy of your neighbors as you and your dog take peaceful, well-coordinated strolls through the neighborhood.
