Best 10 Tips for How To Leash Train a Puppy

By: Mo

Published:

Last updated:

Leash training is a difficult skill to master, but it’s something you should start practicing early on with your new pup.

There are many different methods for how to leash train a puppy, and this article will cover 10 of them!

How to Leash Train a Puppy

How to Leash Train a Puppy
How to Leash Train a Puppy

Get him used to wearing a collar and leash early on

If you simply leave the dog wearing a collar but without a leash attached, he can get used to how it feels on his neck.

This will reduce the chances of being frightened when it’s time to connect the lead and go on a walk.

Carry the leash with you when you are around the house to get him used to how it feels in your hand.

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Don’t attach it though, just hold onto both ends and allow him to sniff them while he gets accustomed to how they think.

Hold on tightly if he wants to chew or play tug of war — this will help build his trust in how gentle you are with him.

When he’s not wearing the leash, keep it out of sight and away from prying eyes so that there is a mystery surrounding what happens when the leash comes out to play — this will prevent it from becoming a frightening object for your dog at any stage during his training process.


Give them short training sessions in familiar locations

Give them short training sessions in familiar locations
How to Leash Train a Puppy

The most important thing to keep in mind is how often you practice the training.

You should give your fluffy short training sessions in locations that are familiar to them, like your backyard or the inside of your home. 

It’s best not to use too many different places because it can be confusing for them.

The second most important thing to keep in mind is how long you train at one time. 

The sessions should not exceed 30 minutes. 

If the puppy becomes restless or shows signs of anxiety, like whining or struggling while on the leash, cut the session short and start again later.

The third most important thing to remember is how often you reward them when they leave something alone while on a leash–like how often you give them a treat. 

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

You should reward your fluffy on every excellent behavior, but also make sure to praise your puppy and provide lots of affection when they aren’t on the leash as well.

Keep a short and close leash to you

Select The Best Dog Foods For Cavapoo Dog Fluffy
How to Leash Train a Puppy

You should keep a close leash on your puppy when you are walking them.

This will ensure that they don’t wander into unknown territory or adult dogs that live in the area. Tell them “no” and bring them back to you to correct the behavior if they start to walk.

Keep a short leash on the puppy when indoors

When you are in your home, keep a shorter leash on them.

This will allow them more freedom of movement and won’t be as dangerous if they get into something that could hurt them.

If there is a room where you can close off access from the dog so it cannot escape or reach something that could harm them, then you should do so.

Be consistent with your commands, but patient when teaching him how to follow them

Be consistent with your commands
How to Leash Train a Puppy

When teaching how to leash train a puppy, you should be consistent with your commands and the afterward actions.

For example, if you tell them “no” every time they try to go into another room or towards an item they shouldn’t have, then but don’t make your response actionable in any way, it will only confuse the dog on when they can get away with their behavior.

However, if you tell them “no” and then hold the door shut so they cannot have access to that room or item either, it will help teach them how not to do something without being cruel about it.

Pro Tip: Be patient when teaching how to leash train a puppyOwners of dogs need to be patient when teaching how to leash train a puppy.

It can take dogs longer than other animals or humans to learn how they should behave and what is expected.

So, if your pup does not understand something right away, don’t give up!

Just go back over the lesson with different words until he gets it.

Make your puppy come to you by calling his name and clapping your hands

One of the easiest ways to get your dog to come to you is by calling his name and clapping your hands.

This will get your pup’s attention and let him know you’re looking for him.

If he gets distracted, start over again. Reward your puppy when he gets to you.

This is how he learns that coming back to you is a good thing and what it takes for him to get there in the future as well.

As soon as your dog does come back, be sure to reward him with praise or treats, whichever one makes his tail wag the most!

Let’s Practice for leash inside your home with your Puppy

Let's Practice for leash inside your home with your Puppy
How to Leash Train a Puppy

Let’s start practicing how to leash train your Puppy inside your home.

This way, you can teach your pup how to walk on a leash before you take them outside to practice it for the first time.

Start by leading the Puppy around the room with the end of the leash. You must keep hold of both ends of the leash, not just one stop.

Encourage your pup by making sure they know how good they are doing!

Your Puppy might also need you to help them first, so they know how to follow your lead around corners and up/downstairs.

Be patient, and don’t give up!

Take your Puppy outside to train him for the leash

Take your Puppy outside to train him for the leash

No matter how many times you read how to leash train a puppy, watching the process in person is always better.

The first step is to attach your leash to your dog’s collar or harness. 

This will make the dog associate the leash with good things like walks and adventures. 

The next step is to take your Puppy outside and start walking around. 

If your Puppy pulls back, stop walking. Wait for him to come back towards you before you keep walking again. 

Eventually, he should get the idea that moving towards you means he gets to step forward.

Allow your Puppy some time to go pee.

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

This is how you should try to leash train your Puppy.

Aside from letting your Puppy have time to go pee, avoid repeating the same command over and over again in rapid succession. 

This can confuse or frustrate your pup. 

You should also be sure to praise your Puppy when he does the right thing—this will prove much more effective in teaching how to leash train a puppy than just correcting bad behavior with punishment.

Teach your Puppy a cue

One way you can leash train your Puppy is by teaching them how to respond to a cue. 

For example, if you want them to stop at the end of the leash, say “heel,” and they will stop. 

Then say “come,” and they will come back towards you.

You can also teach your Puppy how to stay at the door. 

By doing this, have him sit in front of his food bowl and put their paw on the bowl so he will stay there. 

When they back off from the bowl or take a step away from it, they immediately pull their leash sharply so that they go back to where they were before. 

Eventually, this might be enough for your Puppy to not want to leave when you reach for the door.


Pick a pace that’s comfortable for both of you

Start by making sure the Puppy has a collar and leash and is comfortable with both. 

Keep the leash loose and allow the pup to explore their surroundings. 

Pick a pace that's comfortable for both of you

Give them time to do so and continue to be affectionate and cheerful as they learn how to walk next to you on a leash.

When your Puppy is ready, they will sit close to you as you both start walking together. 

The critical thing here is that your pace is unimportant, as long as it is comfortable for both of you. 

You might not even need a leash at this point because the pup sees how enjoyable walks are with you!

You can find more information about how to leash train a puppy here:

How often you practice training with your pup?

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

It’s essential to practice leash training with your pup. 

You should at least work on leash training a puppy for 5-10 minutes every day.

If you do it more, that’s always good.


How long each session lasts?

Depends on how old your pup is, how much time you have in the day, how much time it takes to do one walk etc.

It’s good to remember that how often you practice training with your pup and how long each session lasts is not fixed.

You can experiment until you find a routine that works for both of you.

How much space the dog has on its leash?

You should give your dog as much freedom on its leash as possible but ensure it doesn’t run into dangers.

If your pup pulls too much on the leash, you should buy how to train a puppy and gradually shape its behavior with positive reinforcement (food treats) until it stops pulling on the leash.

How often do you reward your pup?

You should reward your pup every time it does something you want it to do, with how to train a puppy, food, or praise.

How to train a puppy to stop pulling?

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

You can purchase how to train a pup leash at most pet stores or create one yourself by teaching pup leash materials available in your home.

🌟 Related Article: 7 Best American Bulldog Pulling Harness

When not to use a leash?

You should never use leash on your pup’s neck or scruff.

Your puppy should walk beside you, not behind or in front of you.

It might take some time to get used to it, but this is the proper way to train a puppy.

Final Words

Leash training can be difficult, but it’s a necessary skill if the two of you are to enjoy walks and adventures together.

It’s also a skill you should start practicing when you bring home your new fluffy friend.

I hope this article has helped you leashed train your puppy. 🐕‍🦺

If you have any questions, please write below in the comment section, and we will be happy to answer and assist you.