How to Leash Train a puppy

Large or small, every puppy should be trained to walk politely on a leash. They should be taught not to pull and to walk calmly by your side for their own health and safety. This will make trips to the vet or to your local dog supply store much more pleasant for both you and your pup.

Begin leash training by fitting a buckle collar on your puppy. This collar should be loose enough to slide a finger or two fingers for a larger dog under the collar. Most of the collars today adjust by 4-6 inches so the collar you buy should last for at least a few months and longer for smaller dogs. Once you have the collar adjusted correctly, turn the puppy loose and let it get accustomed to it. It is normal for them to scratch at their new collar as it moves their hair but they will get used to it in a short time.

Next, attach your leash, put a few treats in your pocket and carry your puppy outside. Set the puppy down and walk a step. The puppy may very well follow right along and if he does, praise him a lot and give him a small treat. If the pup stops or pulls on the leash, do not drag him. Give a small tug on the lead and then release it and call him to you. Repeat tug and release until it takes a step towards you, then praise him and give him a treat. Usually within a few minutes, he will get the idea and start walking more or less with you. Be patient, however, this is a big step for a baby and an important lesson. End this lesson on a positive note, even if the puppy just took a few steps in the right direction.

Eventually, your puppy will get the idea that the leash means forward motion and you will go from you trying to get it to move, to it dragging you. If the pup is dragging on the leash, give it a small tug back and then let the leash go slack. Praise you puppy. It is important to keep your lead loose most of the time. If you are putting pressure on the leash, you are teaching the pup to lean against it and this can cause health issues later in its life. Give a series of tugs when your puppy starts to pull and talk to him while you are doing it. If his attention is on you, he will not pull and he will quickly learn that as long as he is beside you, the leash is loose.

An early start to leash training your puppy makes the whole process easier as younger puppies want to follow your feet. After the first lesson or two, your puppy should be walking willingly at your side without pulling or dragging. This is the first step to having a companion who is a joy in your life.