A big part of most dogs’ lives is going out for walks. It’s not just fun—it helps keep them fit, mentally stimulated, and gives them a chance to go to the bathroom outside. That’s why it’s so important for your pup to behave well on a leash. It might seem tricky at first, but it’s actually a lot easier than you think.
If you’re having trouble getting your dog to walk nicely on a leash, check out our handy guide to leash training your four-legged friend!
What Is Leash Training?
Leash training is all about getting your dog ready to enjoy walks while behaving nicely on a leash. For a dog that’s not used to it, being on a leash can be stressful. That’s why a little training is needed to help them develop good leash manners.
What Are Leash Manners and Why Are They Important?
Leash manners is just a way to describe the behaviors a dog should show while on a leash. There aren’t any hard-and-fast rules, but there are a few general guidelines you can follow.
When your dog is out and about, they should be able to follow these basic leash manners:
- No pulling. Pulling is a bad habit for any dog on a leash. It can be harmful to both the dog and the owner, especially if the dog is large. Pulling while wearing a collar can be particularly risky.
- No jumping. It’s the same idea as no pulling—jumping on a leash can be risky for both you and your dog.
- Respect others on walks. Dogs are curious—that’s totally normal. But not every dog or person will want to interact with your pup. Ideally, your dog should follow commands that respect other people’s and dogs’ space.
All of these manners are important for your dog’s health, happiness, and safety—as well as for everyone they meet along the way. When your dog is on a leash, it should signal that it’s time to behave.
If a dog gets loose from its owner, it could get into trouble—or worse, get hurt. It could also accidentally hurt someone else. That’s why having good leash manners is so important.
Tips for Leash Training a Dog
If you’re ready to start leash training your dog, just follow the steps below:
Step 1: Get Your Dog Used to the Harness and Leash
Notice that we specifically recommend introducing your dog to a harness, not a collar. Collars can be tougher on dogs than harnesses, especially if they haven’t learned proper leash manners yet. Once they’ve got the basics down, they can switch to a regular collar—but starting with a harness is the best choice.
Introducing your dog to the leash and harness is a simple step in the process. The goal is to get them used to wearing both, so start by putting them on while your dog is just hanging out at home—no walking or leading yet.
Be sure to include playtime and treats while your dog is wearing the harness. Just keep things calm—nothing too rowdy. Avoid games like tug-of-war while they’re getting used to the harness and leash, as it can be counterproductive.
Step 2: Add a Cue
This cue should let your dog know that a reward is coming—either a treat or some affection. Once they understand that, you can use the cue to get your puppy’s attention while they’re wearing the harness and leash.
Once they turn their attention to you, give them a treat. As they start to understand that the cue means focusing on you, you can gradually increase the time between rewards.
This technique really comes in handy when there are lots of distractions out in the real world. Keeping your dog’s attention in stressful situations is one of the best ways to keep them out of trouble.
Step 3: Practice Without Actually Walking
This step is all about getting your dog used to being followed. Some dogs feel like something is following them when they’re on a leash—that “something” is the leash itself. To help them get over this, walk to the other side of the room and call your dog to come to you. When they reach you, give them a reward. Showing them that the leash dragging behind won’t hurt them is a great way to help a nervous dog get comfortable with walking.
If your pup isn’t nervous about this, go ahead and move on to Step 4.
Step 4: Practice at Home
By now, your dog knows they’re wearing a harness and leash—and they’re feeling good about it. That’s great! Now it’s time to start walking practice. Pick a space at home that’s big enough for short walks, and be sure to have some treats on hand.
Then, grab the leash and walk slowly with your dog. If they start to pull, use the cue to get their attention and reward them when they stop. Over time, they’ll get used to the routine and start feeling more comfortable wearing all their walking gear.
Step 5: Begin With Short Walks
Now that your dog knows wearing the harness is a good thing, try taking them on a few short walks outside. It can be a bit challenging since there are more things to deal with than at home. This is where your cues, attention-getting pats, and treats really come in handy.
If your dog starts to get overstimulated, just get their attention until things calm down. If it happens often, don’t worry about cutting the walk a little short and trying again later. All the sights, sounds, and smells on a walk can be mentally tiring for any pup.
What If My Dog Pulls?
If that’s the case, don’t worry—lots of people struggle with dogs that love to pull. If you’re in that boat, this is where a harness really comes in handy. Collars can actually encourage pulling, though not intentionally, of course.
When a dog feels pressure from their collar, they’ll instinctively try to pull against it. For example, if the leash is attached to their back or around their neck, they may try to escape by pulling. The more they pull, the more pressure the collar creates, which just makes them want to pull even harder.
Most good harnesses have a leash attachment on the front. This is especially helpful when your dog needs to learn that pulling isn’t part of good leash manners. When they pull with the leash attached at the front, it gently changes their direction—redirecting them away from where they want to go. Once they realize that pulling doesn’t get them anywhere, the behavior usually fades on its own. Harnesses are great for training and for keeping your dog safe.
Advanced Walking Tips
Believe it or not, there are some advanced walking techniques you can try once your dog has mastered the basics. Things like walking on a loose leash can take time to train, but it’s a safe technique that helps keep your pup close in stressful situations. If your dog has responded well to the training we’ve covered so far, it’s definitely worth giving it a try!
One Big DON’T of Leash Training
When you’re training your dog to walk on a leash, one common mistake to avoid is using a retractable leash. Many people think these leashes are better for dogs, but over time they can actually encourage bad habits, like pulling. A good, sturdy standard leash should always be part of your leash training routine.
Here’s why retractable leashes aren’t ideal:
They can encourage pulling.They’re prone to breaking, which can let your dog get loose.They don’t give you much control in stressful situations.They aren’t very secure.
If you’re just starting leash training, make sure to grab a strong, traditional leash.
A Better Leash on Life
Leash training your pup isn’t as hard as some people make it out to be. It does take patience, practice, and repetition, but really, it’s all about keeping your pup’s attention and guiding their training. Once they’re comfortable with their harness and leash from Amivo, you’ll be ready to take them anywhere!
Leash manners are super important, so make sure to keep reinforcing good behavior with plenty of rewards.