Training your dog to walk on a lead or loose lead walking, is essentially training your dog to walk by your side. This is a good exercise to practice to ensure walks with your dog are safe and enjoyable for both of you. It also encourages your dog to give you their attention. It’s best to start loose lead training indoors, away from other distractions. Show Watch our video and take the first steps towards getting your dog to walk nicely on the lead.
View the audio transcript for this video Lead Walking EquipmentFrom collars and harnesses to leads, there is a lot to consider when choosing what equipment is best for your dog. By law all dogs must wear a collar and identification tag and for this it’s best to have a flat collar. Collars and harnesses that tighten as your dog pulls are generally not recommended as these can cause discomfort to your dog. If your dog is strong you may find a harness with a front and back ring is most efficient as these give you more control from your dog’s chest, especially when used with a double clip lead. Head collars can be used on larger dogs, but these must be introduced slowly and positively. Three to four foot leads (training leads) are best to use for teaching your dog to walk with a loose lead. Retractable leads, slip leads, and long lines are not appropriate for this training. Lead Walking TrainingStep oneHold the lead in your left hand and treats in your right hand. Use the treats to lure your dog round to your right-hand side so they are standing, facing the same direction as you. The lead should be crossing over your body and held loosely with your left hand only. Feed them a treat. This is your starting position. Once they have eaten the treat they may move away, so lure them back to your side again and give them another treat. Feed them again for staying in the same place. If you prefer your dog on your left-hand side, then hold the treats in your left hand and the lead in your right hand. Step twoWith your dog in the starting positing, let them sniff the treats in your right hand. Once they have done this, raise your hand to your shoulder, give an instruction such as “with me” and take a step forward. Stop and feed your dog a treat for coming with you. Your cue word can be anything such as “let’s go”, “heel” or “close” but which ever word you use, ensure you stick to it. Step threeRepeat step two, adding in another step before rewarding. If your dog pulls or moves away from your side, simply stand still and lure them back to the starting position. Do not pull the lead to move them, just stand still and lure them back with a treat. Step fourPractise steps one to three, each time trying to increase the number of steps taken before rewarding. Aim for success and stop and treat while your dog is walking by your side. Once you’ve mastered this indoors, take your training outside. Consistency is key with loose lead walking so ensure you’re training every single time the lead goes on. When you are starting to train in a distracting environment, be sure to adapt your rate of reinforcement to keep your dog motivated.  Troubleshooting and top tips for lead trainingMany factors can affect how well your dog responds to this training. Excitement level, mental stimulation, the weather, your dog’s health, the surroundings, and even your own mood can all contribute. Simply by asking your dog to sit calmly for their lead to go on and to sit while the door(s) open can bring down their level of excitement and help them to be more receptive to training. Try to avoid exciting them with words such as “walkies” as the calmer they are, the better they will be able to concentrate. The most important thing is to be consistent with your training. Each time your dog is taken out, you should be reinforcing what they’ve been taught. If pulling on the lead gets your dog the reaction they want, they will keep pulling, so make sure you immediately stand still the moment any tension goes on the lead. To keep yourself steady when your dog pulls, hold your lead hand against your core and use both hands if necessary. Make sure every member of the household is using the same technique as well as anyone else who might take your dog out, including friends or a dog walker. Download the advice on this page as a handy advice sheet and to use as a reminder: Advice sheet As a new puppy parent, you’ve probably dreamed of enjoying
lovely calm walks with your puppy strolling through the neighborhood. But if you’ve tried to give this a go already, you’ve most likely realized it’s not as easy-going as you originally thought it would be! Walking is a great activity that allows your puppy to experience new smells and stimuli, provides them exercise, and helps build the bond between you. So how do you get your puppy to walk nicely on a leash? Here’s how! The Puppy Academy student, Mame! Puppies naturally walk faster and have a curious drive -- it’s a great big and new world for them! Although you may be excited to take your puppy for a walk right away, puppies simply don’t have innate leash manners built-in. Teaching your puppy to walk on a leash requires training a few basic obedience commands, the right equipment, patience, and lots of practice! Introducing the Harness and Leash Before taking a step outside, gear up your puppy with the right equipment and give them some time to get used to it. With young puppies, size them for a snug-fitting harness that they can step into and fastens on their back. Measure their girth (use a tape measure around the widest part of their chest) to find the appropriate size that isn’t too loose where they can easily slip out and be too tight and uncomfortable. Next, pick a leash that is either four or six feet in length. Attach the leash to your puppy’s harness and under your supervision, let them wear the harness and drag the leash around at home until they start to get used to having the harness and leash attached to them. You can even attach the leash to yourself and let your puppy follow you around the house. Doing this little exercise helps your puppy create the association that a harness and leash mean they get to walk along with you! Pro tip: Worried about the leash getting caught on things in the house? Purchase an inexpensive nylon leash and cut the loop at the end so it’s open and doesn’t get caught as easily! Practice “Heel” Inside and Outside The “Heel” command refers to having your puppy walking beside you or at your heel. Teaching your puppy to walk in the Heel position with a loose leash can be easier if you've previously taught your puppy some basic commands already. Refer to our “How to Teach Your Puppy Good Manners!” blog for tips on getting your puppy to sit and wait! Practice Heel inside your home first. This will encourage your puppy to stay focused on you since they are more used to their home environment rather than outside where there are lots of new sights, sounds, and smells! Ask your puppy to sit beside you on the left or right side, and stick to this side to walk them on as they're learning! Remaining consistent with the side you pick for your pup to walk on, will help them learn their new walking routine! With your pup beside you on your preferred walk side, and their favorite treat in hand, lower it to their nose, and with your leg closest to them, take a small step forward as you say "Heel". As your pup follows your step, say "Good" and reward them with the treat! It takes small steps at first and if your pup starts to lunge ahead or jump around, simply reset them into a sitting position beside you using their food to help lure them, if needed, and start over! After your puppy starts to successfully walk beside you inside the home, start to move the Heel exercise outside in your yard, driveway, or right in front of your home. Pick a familiar location so your puppy is likely to be less distracted. Continue the same Heel training routine, and slowly start to extend the length of their “walk” until they are consistently staying on your side. It can take weeks to transition your puppy from walking indoors, to outside your home, until finally around your neighborhood, so take your time and don't rush the process! Your puppy needs time to build their muscle memory with Heel and looking to you for guidance as the distractions around them increase with the new locations. Make sure to have food on you at all times while your pup is learning (you can wean off later!) to help redirect them from distractions when needed. You may also need to use a higher value treat for outdoor walks if their normal food or treats aren't working. Think something protein-based that's extra stinky to grab their attention! Managing Leash Pulling and Lunging
Common requests we get at The Puppy Academy from owners focus on how to stop their puppy from pulling and lunging on the leash during walks! If your puppy is exhibiting these behaviors, there are a few things you can do to help:
Need more help teaching your puppy to walk on a leash?
Heel training takes time to nail down and will require practice in various locations. Even if your puppy performs a perfect walk at home or outside, they may exhibit some pulling or lunging in a new place! If you’re struggling with teaching your puppy to walk calmly on a loose leash beside you, our Online Puppy School can help! In it you’ll learn not only how to teach your puppy how to walk in Heel position, but how to stop pulling, control sniffing, and how to pass by other dogs without your pup going crazy! Plus we’ll show you how to do Heel turnarounds to get your puppy to quickly change directions with you, and routines you can use to get your pup comfortable being in outdoor environments to make walks so much easier. Working on these puppy training routines will help your puppy learn to focus on you as their leader off of distractions, and strengthen the line of communication between the two of you! Get your puppy started learning great leash manners today at The Puppy Academy Online School! You can also always get help live at our next Ask A Puppy Trainer Show on our Instagram @thepuppyacdemy! Each week we do a live Q&A every Wednesday at 1 pm PT with our expert trainers answering questions of all things puppy-related from puppy parents like you! Plus, get our latest puppy training tips direct to your inbox each week when you join our free VIP (Very Important Puppy) list! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! How to Train Your Puppy for Car Rides! Introducing Your Puppy to Your Cat! Celebrate National Pet Month! How do you train a dog to walk on a leash without pulling?Stop and Reward
A simple method to leash training a puppy without pulling on the leash is to stop moving forward when he pulls, and to reward him with treats when he walks by your side. A treat bag for your waist can be very helpful in the training process.
How long does it take to train a dog to walk on a leash?5-10 minute training sessions are all it takes to have a dog that walks beautifully on leash and will work for you happily.
How do I train my dog to stop pulling?When you allow your dog to pull you along, you reinforce his bad behavior. Instead, the next time he begins to pull, stand still for a few minutes. Don't resume walking until he comes back toward you and puts some slack on the leash. Praise him for relaxing, then begin walking again slowly.
Is it too late to train my dog to walk on a leash?Nobody wants to be that owner whose dog pulls ahead, chews on the leash or spends the walk trying to gulp down rubbish. It's best to train your dog early on to prevent these problems, but it's never too late. The key to success is reward-based dog training, which is the most effective and humane way to teach your dog.
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Training your dog to walk on a leash
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