Train your dog to walk on a Dog leash: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you've ever had a dog, you know they often explore new sights, sounds, and smells out of curiosity or a desire to protect you. However, this instinct can conflict with your goal of walking with a calm, obedient dog by your side on a leash. If you're tired of playing tug-of-war with your dog every time you put him on the leash, it might be time to start leash training, which can make walks more enjoyable for both of you.

Training Your Dog to Walk on a Leash Step by Step
Follow these steps to set a solid foundation for any future walks with your dog:

Introduce the Puppy to the Collar or Leash
Start by letting them get used to wearing a collar or harness and a leash. Let them wear them for short periods of time in the house while you’re playing with them and giving them treats. The puppy should love collar-and-leash time because it represents food and fun.

Teach a Cue
Introduce your puppy to a sound cue that means, “Food is coming.” Some people like to click and treat, some people use a word like “yes,” and some people cluck their tongues. Whichever you use, the method is the same: In a quiet, distraction-free area, with the puppy on a leash and collar, make the sound. The second your puppy turns toward or looks at you, reward them with a treat. After a few repetitions, you’ll notice your puppy not only looking at you but also coming over to you for the treat.

Have your dog approach you
When your puppy walks toward you wearing a leash and collar, step back a few steps. When they reach you, reward them. Continue this process until your puppy hears the cue, runs to you, and follows you for a few steps. Remember, puppies have short attention spans. Keep training brief and end it when they're still eager to do more, not when they're mentally exhausted.

Take it outdoors
Finally, you're ready to test your puppy's skills outdoors. This step presents a new challenge, as all the sounds, smells, and sights they encounter are new and exciting. Be patient and keep your initial walks short. Choose an area free from distractions. Put your dog on a long leash (10 to 30 feet) and let him explore freely. Your job is to let him set the pace and sniff whatever he wants, for as long as he wants.

● Once he's had a chance to observe his surroundings, get his attention and place a treat on the ground in front of you. When she eats the treat, tighten the slack so you have 6 to 8 feet (about 1.8 to 2.4 meters) of leash to hold.

● Start marking and feeding her again, walking with you for a few steps, then let her go to sniff and explore more.

● Continue to incorporate these short training sessions during longer walks. On closer walks, incorporate cues. Over time, your dog will follow you and actively explore when you let her go.

Dog Leash Training Tips
Leash Training Tip 1: A Dog Pulling on the Leash Doesn't Mean Disobedience
While it's frustrating to have your arm ripped while walking your dog, it's important to remember that it's not because your dog is disobedient. There are many reasons why dogs pull on the leash, such as:

The leash is too short, so they have to pull to reach anything interesting (like a scent). Dogs walk differently than humans. They often move quickly, stop to sniff, and then move quickly again. Humans, on the other hand, walk at a more steady, consistent pace. Scents are reinforcing, and reinforced behaviors (such as attraction to a scent) are more likely to be repeated. They're not getting enough exercise and have too much pent-up energy.

Leash Training Tip 2: Train for the situation, not in the situation
If there's a significant mismatch between your dog's skills and the environment they're in, walking them can be a pain. I often joke that many dog owners expect their dogs to master "college-level" leash skills when they haven't even attended kindergarten themselves. No wonder everyone gets frustrated!

Proper reward-based dog training means setting up training so the dog can successfully perform the desired behavior, providing rewards to encourage repetition, and then gradually increasing the difficulty of the training situations.

If you're looking for the right leash for your dog's outdoor walks, we have a wide selection of dog leashes. We believe that walking with a Purespet leash will be fun for both of you!