Many new dog owners assume their furry friends instinctively know how to walk politely on a leash. However, this essential skill requires dedicated training and patience. Mastering it will significantly enhance your walks and strengthen the bond with your puppy. Dog training expert and AKC Family Dog columnist Kathy Santo shares invaluable tips to guide you through the process of teaching your puppy proper leash etiquette. With consistent effort, you’ll soon enjoy peaceful and enjoyable strolls with your well-behaved companion. To ensure your puppy becomes a polite walker, it’s also helpful to address specific behaviors like how to teach a dog not to pull on lead from an early age.
Building the Foundation for Leash Walking
Setting a strong foundation is crucial for successful leash training. Follow these steps to prepare your puppy for a lifetime of pleasant walks.
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 short durations inside the house, particularly during playtime or when offering treats. The goal is for your puppy to associate collar and leash time with positive experiences, making it synonymous with food and fun. This positive association is key when you train your puppy to walk confidently.
Teach a Positive Sound Cue
Next, introduce a distinct sound cue that signals “food is coming!” This could be a clicker, a verbal word like “yes,” or even a tongue cluck. The method remains consistent: in a quiet, distraction-free environment, with your puppy wearing their leash and collar, make the chosen sound. The instant your puppy acknowledges or looks at you, reward them with a delicious treat. After several repetitions, your puppy will not only look at you but also eagerly approach you for the treat, understanding the positive reinforcement.
A adorable French Bulldog puppy wearing a harness and leash, sitting attentively in lush green grass.
Encourage Your Puppy to Come to You
While your puppy is en route to you, still wearing their leash and collar, take a few steps backward. Reward them generously when they reach you. Continue this progression until your puppy, upon hearing the cue, readily comes to you and walks alongside you for a few paces. Remember that puppies have short attention spans. Keep your training sessions brief and always conclude them while your puppy is still enthusiastic and eager to continue, rather than mentally exhausted.
Practice Inside for Controlled Learning
Once your puppy understands how to reliably come to you, practice walking a few steps in a room with minimal distractions. The sensation of the leash and collar will provide enough of a challenge at this stage. Offer continuous treats and praise as your puppy learns to follow your lead with the leash on. This controlled environment is ideal for them to grasp the basics of How To Train Your Puppy To Walk without overwhelming external stimuli.
Transition to Outdoor Walks
Finally, your puppy is ready to apply their newfound skills to the great outdoors. This step introduces new challenges due to the intriguing sounds, smells, and sights your puppy will encounter. Be patient and keep initial outdoor walks short. If your puppy appears poised to lunge towards something or gets distracted (which you’ll notice by keeping a vigilant eye on them), make your cue sound and move a few steps away. Reward them with a treat for refocusing on you and following. This consistent redirection is vital for successfully teaching them how to train a dog not to pull when faced with novel stimuli.
A Basset Hound puppy sitting calmly in the grass while on a lead, observing its surroundings.
Leash-Training Troubleshooting
Even with diligent training, you’re likely to encounter some common issues as your puppy matures, explores new environments, and faces increasing distractions. Teaching loose-leash walking is not only more pleasant for both of you but also prepares them for advanced training, such as the Canine Good Citizen test. Here are practical tips for addressing typical leash training difficulties, courtesy of the AKC GoodDog! Helpline, which helps many owners when they try to train your puppy to walk.
If Your Puppy Pulls on the Leash
If your dog begins pulling in the opposite direction, immediately transform yourself into a “tree.” Stand perfectly still and refuse to move until your dog returns to your side. Avoid yanking or jerking the leash or dragging your dog along. For dogs prone to pulling, alternative training tools such as front-hook harnesses and head halters can be highly effective.
If Your Puppy Lunges at Distractions
Should your dog attempt to go after something during a walk—another dog, a car, or a skateboarder, for example—be proactive. Attempt to redirect their attention with a treat before they have a chance to lunge. Increase the physical distance between your dog and the target of their fixation. Remain vigilant and be prepared before the potential source of their frustration gets too close. While this behavior might be more common in herding breeds, any dog can be startled or overly excited by unfamiliar or stimulating objects. It’s also important to manage excitement to prevent behaviors like how to stop puppy from jumping up on me when greeting people, which can often occur when they are overstimulated on a walk.
If Your Puppy Barks Excessively on Walks
Some dogs develop a habit of barking at other dogs or people during walks. Often, this behavior stems from insufficient exercise or mental stimulation. Ensure your dog receives the appropriate amount of physical and mental engagement for their age and breed. If barking persists, employ the same proactive strategy used for lunging: create distance and offer treats before they start to bark. Over time, your dog will associate seeing other dogs with turning their attention back to you for a reward. For broader behavioral issues related to over-excitement, consider resources on how to train dog to not jump on people.
Gradually, you will reduce the number of treats and the amount of troubleshooting required during your walks. It is always a good idea to keep some treats on hand to randomly reinforce good leash-walking behavior, ensuring that your puppy continues to walk politely and enjoy their time outdoors.
Learning how to train your puppy to walk on a leash takes time, patience, and consistency. By following these steps and addressing common challenges proactively, you’ll cultivate a well-mannered walking companion and build a stronger, more enjoyable relationship with your canine friend.
