Many puppy owners mistakenly believe that dogs inherently understand how to walk politely on a leash. However, this crucial skill is learned through consistent training, and mastering it will significantly enhance every walk you take with your furry companion. Dog training expert and AKC Family Dog columnist Kathy Santo shares valuable insights to help you teach your puppy effective leash manners. Mastering how to leash train a lab puppy or any breed from a young age sets a positive foundation for future adventures.
Establishing Leash Walking Fundamentals
Follow these foundational steps to ensure your puppy develops excellent leash-walking habits from the start.
Introduce Collar, Harness, and Leash
Begin by familiarizing your puppy with wearing a collar or harness and a leash. Allow them to wear these items for brief periods while indoors, ideally during playtime and treat sessions. The goal is for your puppy to associate their collar and leash with enjoyable experiences, such as fun and food, making it a positive connection.
Teach a Communication Cue
Introduce a specific sound cue that signals to your puppy that a reward is imminent. Popular choices include using a clicker, a verbal cue like “yes,” or a distinctive tongue cluck. Regardless of your chosen sound, the training method remains consistent: In a quiet, distraction-free environment, with your puppy wearing their collar and leash, make the cue sound. The instant your puppy acknowledges or looks at you, provide a treat. After several repetitions, you’ll observe your puppy not only looking at you but also approaching you for the reward. This builds the foundation for how to teach your dog to come when you call reliably.
French bulldog puppy in a harness sitting in tall green grass on a leash for a walk.
Encourage Your Puppy to Follow
Once your puppy understands the cue, have them on their leash and collar, back up a few paces, and then reward them when they reach you. Gradually increase the distance, continuing this progression until your puppy, upon hearing the cue, confidently comes to you and walks beside you for a few steps. Remember that puppies have limited attention spans, so keep training sessions brief and conclude them while your puppy is still enthusiastic and eager for more, rather than when they are mentally fatigued. This early training also sets the stage for how to teach your dog to come no matter what as they grow.
Practice Leash Walking Indoors
Now that your puppy understands how to respond to your cue and come to you, begin practicing walking a few steps in a quiet room with minimal distractions. The sensation of the leash and collar around them will be enough of a challenge at this stage. Continuously offer treats and praise as your puppy learns to follow you on a leash, reinforcing good behavior in a controlled environment.
Transition to Outdoor Walks
With indoor practice under their belt, your puppy is ready to explore the outdoors. This step introduces new challenges, as the array of sights, sounds, and smells will naturally be intriguing. Be patient and keep initial outdoor walks short. As you walk, if you notice your puppy preparing to lunge or become distracted – you’ll anticipate this by keeping a watchful eye on them – make your cue sound and take a few steps away. Reward them with a treat for following you, reinforcing their focus on you despite external stimuli. This is a critical step in teaching your puppy to walk on a leash confidently in diverse environments.
Basset Hound puppy sitting in the grass on lead.
Addressing Common Leash-Training Challenges
Even after mastering the basics, your puppy may encounter issues with leash walking as they mature, explore new locations, and encounter fresh distractions. The goal is to teach them to walk on a loose leash, which is more enjoyable for both of you and essential for passing tests like the Canine Good Citizen. The AKC GoodDog! Helpline offers the following expert tips for resolving common leash-training difficulties. Learning how to walk a puppy that pulls is a key aspect of this.
What to Do If Your Puppy Pulls
If your dog begins to pull strongly in the opposite direction, immediately transform yourself into a “tree.” Stand perfectly still and refuse to move forward until your dog returns to you. Avoid yanking or jerking the leash or dragging your dog along. For dogs that consistently pull, alternative training tools such as front-hook harnesses and head halters can be highly effective in redirecting their momentum and encouraging polite walking.
Managing Puppy Lunging Behavior
If your dog tends to lunge at specific targets during walks—such as other dogs, cars, or skateboarders—proactive intervention is key. Attempt to redirect their attention with a treat before they have the opportunity to lunge. Increase the physical distance between your dog and the object of their fixation. Stay vigilant and be prepared to intervene before the source of their frustration gets too close. While this behavior might be more common in herding breeds due, any dog can be startled or overstimulated by unfamiliar or exciting elements in their environment.
Handling Excessive Barking on Walks
Some dogs develop a habit of barking at other dogs or passersby during walks. This behavior often stems from insufficient physical and mental exercise. Ensure your dog receives the appropriate amount of stimulation for their age and breed. If the barking persists, employ a strategy similar to managing lunging: create distance from the trigger and offer treats before they start to bark. Over time, your dog will learn to associate the sight of other dogs with turning their attention back to you for a reward, gradually diminishing the barking response.
Gradually, you will be able to reduce the number of treats and the frequency of troubleshooting needed during your puppy’s walks. However, it’s always wise to keep some treats on hand to randomly reinforce positive leash-walking behavior, ensuring their skills remain sharp.
Need help with your adorable new puppy? Training your dog can be challenging without expert guidance. The AKC GoodDog! Helpline is here to assist you virtually, connecting you with a professional trainer who offers unlimited, individualized advice on everything from house-training to behavioral issues.
