In urban environments, it is essential to collar (or better a harness) and leash train a puppy. That’s why it is important to start leash training your puppy from the first days they are in your house.
It is not hard to teach your puppy to walk on a leash, the main thing is to make it a pleasant experience. A leash or a collar should be associated with something very pleasant: walking, playing, eating, petting, or doing something nice. So if you want to teach your puppy to walk on a leash yourself, read these 10 steps and get started.
How to teach a puppy to walk on a leash in 10 easy steps
1) Let the puppy sniff a leash, a collar or a harness (if the puppy starts chewing them — move them away).
2) Put a leash on the pup (don’t take a tape leash). Immediately start to switch the dog’s attention from the leash to the treats. Be generous in giving your pup the treats they like. Take the leash off now.
3) After a short break, put the leash back on. Give your pup some treats. Play with the dog for a while and take off the leash.
4) Repeat this exercise several times a day, gradually increasing the time your pup spends on a leash.
5) Take off the leash when the puppy doesn’t pay attention to it. If they start to play with the leash or nibble it, switch their attention to the treats or a game.
6) When you start walking with your puppy, a leash will be a signal of a pleasant walk. There are so many distractions outside, that the puppy will soon forget that they are on a leash. So put your pup on a leash and go for a walk.
7) When the puppy gets a bit older, train them not to rush immediately after the leash is taken off. Give the “Sit” command right after you take the leash off. Let the dog go after the “Walk” command.
8) Putting on a leash doesn’t have to be associated only with the end of the walk. Put your dog on a leash from time to time but don’t go home.
9) Train your pup to walk on a loose leash. This is important to make your walks comfortable.
10) Don’t jerk the leash or play with it, otherwise the puppy may start chewing on the leash and you will have to correct this behavior.
