Leash Walking

Introduction

Loose leash walking helps your puppy learn how to move calmly beside you instead of pulling ahead. Rather than dragging the dog along the leash, the goal is to teach the puppy that staying near your side is rewarding and comfortable. By practicing short, focused sessions and rewarding frequently, puppies begin to understand that walking with their person is the best place to be.

Class Experience - Small Circles

Class Experience - Formal Leash Walking

A Note on Feeding

Go Sniff

Quick Notes

Here are some key ideas to remember when practicing leash walking with your puppy.

• Reward your puppy next to your body, not out in front.
• Keep the leash short but relaxed, forming a loose “J” shape.
• Feed from the same side as the puppy so they stay in position.
• Take small numbers of steps at first, especially with distractible puppies.
• Reward frequently when your puppy stays by your side.
• Change direction if your puppy gets ahead of you.
• Keep your body upright rather than bending toward the dog.
• Short practice sessions are more effective than long walks when learning.

Trainer Demonstration

In the demonstration, Laura introduces the basic mechanics of leash walking. The puppy is rewarded for staying close to the handler’s side while taking just a few steps at a time.

• Start with your puppy positioned next to your leg.
• Take one or two steps forward.
• Mark the behavior when your puppy stays by your side.
• Reward the puppy right next to your leg.
• Continue taking a few steps and rewarding frequently.
• If the puppy becomes distracted, reduce the number of steps between rewards.
• Change directions occasionally so the puppy learns to stay connected with you.
• Keep the leash relaxed while maintaining control.

Practice at home!

Now it’s time for you to try with your puppy!

In the first class exercise, students practice leash walking by staying in a small area near their chairs and moving in tiny circles. This helps puppies learn to follow their handler while minimizing distractions and keeping the exercise simple.

Participants begin by setting their puppy up beside them and taking one or two steps before rewarding. As the puppies begin to understand the game, handlers continue moving in small circles and rewarding frequently for staying close.

This exercise helps puppies learn that paying attention to their handler and staying nearby leads to rewards.

After practicing in small circles, the class moves on to a more formal leash walking exercise around the room. Half of the puppies practice walking while the other half remain on their mats, creating realistic distractions.

Handlers begin walking around the room while rewarding their puppy frequently for staying beside them. This exercise helps puppies learn to maintain focus even when other dogs and people are nearby.

Students practice using a walking cue such as “With me,” “Let’s go,” or another phrase they prefer to signal that the puppy should walk together with them.

Upload a video

Be sure to send us a video demonstrating this behavior as well so we can give you personalized training advice with our virtual video service.

Feeding

• Always feed your puppy next to your leg, not out in front of you.
• Choose one side to reward from so your puppy stays in a consistent position.
• If your puppy switches sides, simply reset them and begin again.
• Use very frequent rewards when puppies are young because leash walking is challenging.

Thoughts on Go Sniff

Laura also introduces the difference between structured leash walking and a “Go Sniff” walk. A Go Sniff walk allows your puppy to explore and smell the environment freely while on leash.

Structured walking cues such as “With Me” are best practiced in short sessions when your puppy is able to focus. Many owners find it helpful to allow most of the walk to be a relaxed sniffing walk and then practice structured leash walking toward the end of the walk when the puppy is a bit more tired.

Short practice sessions inside the house can also help puppies learn the skill before trying it in more distracting environments.