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How to train your puppy to walk on a leash

Beagle puppy walking on a leash and sniffing the grass

Dogs aren't born with the ability to walk on a leash and to understand human commands, it's a skill that you teach your dog with lots of time and patience but the benefits are rewarding. Let's take a look at how you can teach your dog to walk on a leash so that you can explore the great outdoors together.

Get them used to wearing a collar, harness and a leash

Let your dog get used to wearing a collar or harness and a leash. You can start by putting on each item on your pup whilst they are indoors or in the garden making sure that you reinforce their behaviour everytime they allow you to put their collar or harness and leash on with a word like good boy or good girl or rewarding their behaviour with a treat. By doing so they your dog can start to feel comfortable wearing their collar or harness and leash.

Practice indoors

Find a quiet spot in the house to practice leash training. Introduce them to a cue like a sound, hand signal or a consistent word to reinforce good behaviour when you are asking them to pay attention, turning around to go back or listen to you when you are telling them to sit for example, this is beneficial for when you need to stop to cross the road.

Teach your puppy to come to you

Whilst your dog is on the leash you can teach your dog to come to you on cue. To do this throw a treat a few steps away and after your dog eats the treat ask your dog to come back to you and reinforce the action of them coming back to you. Repeat this a couple of times until they get the hang of it.

Walking side by side

Teach your dog to walk next you, you can do this without the lead to begin with and some tasty treats or a favourite treat by your side. Once your dog starts to follow you, you can reduce the number of treats and begin to praise them to reinforce the behaviour. Next introduce the leash teaching them to walk next to you with a loose lead, if your dog starts to pull on your lead and walk ahead simply stop walking, stand still and let your dog come back to you. If your dog doesn't come back try taking a few steps in the opposite direction. Continue with this a few times until your dog is walking by your side.

Gradually introduce them to the great outdoors

Once you've taught your dog the basics of leash training indoors, it's now time to test your skills in the great outdoors. You can start of by taking them for a walk in your back garden, or around the neighbourhood and gradually increasing the distance. Remember that puppies love to explore and they will be surrounded by lots of interesting smells, sounds and sights, let them have a sniff around. Consistentancy is key, don't rush it, don't give up and remember to praise their behaviour.

Top tips

  • Avoid using retractable leashes during as a sudden jerk could cause serious injuries to your dog or cause you to fall over when your dog stops at the end of the leash.
  • Make sure they are microchipped and are wearing ID tags

Collar & Lead

We have range of sizes in stock, with xs dog collars, small dog collars, medium dog collars and large dog collars all available. So whatever age your dog is and whatever the breed, we will have the ideal collar for the job!

Are you unsure about which size dog collar to buy? Take a look at our dog collar guide where we explain how to measure and choose the right collar for your dog.

Harness

Dog harnesses are a very safe and comfortable way to keep in control of your dog, whilst they will feel secure and not be put under any difficult strain. The reason why they are more comfortable for your dog is that they spread the pressure equally across the body so that there is not one point of strain pulling against them which might cause discomfort.

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