A Guide to Mastering How to Walk Your Dog on a Leash

It’s always an exciting time to bring home a puppy. You can expect your life to go through many changes because you’ve got a furry friend to watch over and care for over the next few years. Part of owning a dog is training them at an early age so that they will grow up to be an obedient and loving companion.

If you already know the basics of crate training and potty training, you must never forget to include leash training—which is an integral part of getting your puppy to follow your every command. Before you begin leash training, you may be wondering whether to get a dog harness or collar. 

Both items offer benefits and will ultimately depend on the kind of dog you have. Ideally, if your puppy doesn’t give you a hard time whenever you walk them, getting them a dog collar is a good idea. But if they insist on tugging each time you take them out, you may do better with a harness! 

Keep reading below to learn more about handling your dog during leash training.

Why You Need to Train Your Dog to Walk with a Leash

It’s every dog owner’s dream to have a dog that won’t pull on the leash each time you bring them out for a stroll. Fortunately, all your dog needs is some consistent training that you have to supervise even when they’re still a few months old. 

When you introduce the leash early on, your puppy will learn to treat it respectfully and take their walks seriously without giving you a difficult time about it. With proper training, your dog will learn how to walk beside you without wanting to pull on the leash and do as they please.

How to Train Your Dog to Stop Pulling During Walks

Allow Them to Release Their Energy Before the Walk

If you’re worried about your dog’s habit of pulling on their leash each time you take them out for a walk, you can try to reduce their energy before you bring them outside your home. You can do this by letting them run around indoors or out in your yard to shake off all the pent up energy they’ve been keeping all day. That way, they will have fewer reasons to pull on the leash and more incentive to behave during your walk.

Teach Them to Be Familiar With the Dog Leash

Every time you prepare the leash and you witness your puppy getting excited to see it, you should take some time to introduce the leash until they’re fully accustomed to it. Once your puppy gets used to seeing it, they won’t give you a hard time when you go out for a walk. Don’t forget to reward your dog each time they remain calm by providing their favorite treat.

Start Your Training With a Slow Walk and a Loose Lead

After your dog familiarizes themselves with their leash and learns the art of detachment, the next thing you have to master is getting your dog to walk beside you with a loose lead. You shouldn’t walk too fast right away because you will just have a harder time training them to follow your orders. 

Each time they do an excellent job of walking beside you, make sure you have a treat in hand to reward them. You can repeat the process multiple times until they get it right.

Conclusion

You and your dog need to learn how to get along and form a connection, starting with training them at an early age. When you establish that you’re the master to your puppy, they will learn to follow, respect, and love you. When choosing between a collar and a harness, remember to consider your dog’s needs and health restrictions. Once you decide what to get them, you can begin your leash training and follow the tips above to help you achieve an obedient demeanor, an enjoyable walk, and a stress-free time.