Leash Training Puppy: Starting The Right Way

When you first get a new puppy, you'll want to immediately go to work on leash training. Puppy training on a leash will take time, and the sooner you get started, the faster you'll accomplish it. And he needs to get used to being on a leash right away. It's really important that your dog never go outside, even for a moment, without being restrained somehow.

Like small children, puppies have more energy and curiosity than they do eyes and ears for safety, and just turning your back for a moment could result in him running off or being hit by a car.

At first, he won't like the leash training; puppy nature is to run free, and he'll probably paw at the collar and try his best to remove it for a while. This can go on for some time. But eventually he'll get used to it, and wearing a collar with a leash will be second nature to him.

As far as the actual leash training, puppy behavior experts agree that you should go very gradually. It's strange enough for him to have a collar around his neck, but when you start pulling him in one direction or the other, it's really going to throw him for a loop.

So take it slow. Try to get him to come to you from just a few feet away, and when he starts moving in that direction, pull gently on the leash.

Do this several times, until he gets tired of it, and always reward him with a treat after a good session. These are the building blocks of leash training for puppies,  and once you've gotten him used to being on collar and a leash, and he understands how they work, you can start working on other commands.

But trying to rush past this part is a mistake. Take your time, and build a solid foundation.