How to train a puppy to walk on a leash (and stop pulling)
Quick answer
How to train a puppy to walk on a leash: start indoors with short, fun sessions, reward your puppy every time it walks beside you on a slack lead, and stop still the moment the lead goes tight, walking on only when it slackens. (VCA, RSPCA, PDSA)
Use a well-fitted harness for a puppy that pulls, a small or toy breed, or a flat-faced breed, and never a prong, choke or shock collar. (Cavalli and Protopopova 2025, RSPCA, VCA, AVSAB)
Harness or collar? Equipment picker
Four questions. The answer updates as you go.
What to use
A flat collar or a back-clip harness
Both suit a medium or large puppy that does not pull. If pulling starts, move to a front-clip harness.
Why
- A flat collar is fine for a dog that does not pull and restricts the body least. (Cavalli and Protopopova 2025)
- AKC’s leash training guide calls a harness generally better for puppies, so there is no neck pressure if they pull. (AKC)
- Another AKC guide suggests a standard collar for puppies just learning. The sources differ, so either is reasonable. (AKC)
Always: a collar and ID tag
- In the UK a dog must wear a collar with an ID tag in public, so keep a flat collar and tag on even when the lead goes on a harness. Elsewhere, check your local law. (RSPCA)
At this age
- Under 16 weeks, your puppy cannot have finished its vaccine course, which runs to 16 weeks or older. Start indoors and in your garden now. (WSAVA)
- Walks in public start one to two weeks after the course is complete. Until then, carry your puppy in public places. (PDSA)
Fit
- Fit: AKC gives one finger of space for small dogs and two for large dogs, and no figure for medium dogs. Ask your vet or the maker’s fitting guide. (AKC)
- Too loose and a puppy can wiggle out; too tight is painful, especially in hot weather. (AKC)
- Puppies grow, so adjust the harness or buy the next size up as yours grows. (AKC)
The lead
- Use a standard fixed-length leash: AKC suggests a lightweight 6-foot leash for puppies. (AKC)
- Avoid a retractable leash while training: it rewards pulling, because pulling gets the dog more leash. (AKC)
Not offered, and why
A guide, not a diagnosis. If your puppy coughs, wheezes or has an eye or neck problem, ask your vet which equipment suits it.
In short
Key takeaways
- Start leash training the day your puppy comes home, indoors first; public walks wait for the vaccine course. (AKC, PDSA)
- The method is simple: reward a slack lead, and stand still whenever it goes tight. (PDSA, RSPCA)
- A harness keeps pressure off the neck. Toy, small and flat-faced breeds are better walked on a harness than a collar. (Pauli et al. 2006, VCA, RSPCA)
- For a puppy that pulls, a non-tightening front-clip harness gives the best balance of comfort and less pulling. (Cavalli and Protopopova 2025)
- Skip retractable leashes, and never use prong, choke or shock collars or jerk the lead. (AKC, AVSAB)
Getting started
How to start leash training a puppy indoors
Leash walking is not natural to a puppy, and a lead is a form of restraint, so the first job is making the collar or harness and lead feel normal. AKC says it is never too early to start, and the place to begin is your home, before your puppy sets foot on a pavement. This is the first leash step in our puppy training schedule. (VCA, AKC, AKC)
- Put the harness or collar on for short periods while you play, and give treats when it goes on. (AKC, VCA)
- Clip the lead on and let your puppy follow you around the room, rewarding it for staying close. (VCA)
- Keep sessions short: a young puppy’s attention span is short too. (VCA, RSPCA)
- Check the fit as your puppy grows, adjusting the straps or buying the next size up. (AKC)
A treat-and-play start is also good mental work. For ideas that tire a puppy without long walks, see our guide to mental stimulation for dogs. (AKC)
Going outside
When can a puppy start walking on a leash outside?
The garden comes first. Walks in public places wait until your puppy is protected: PDSA says puppies are safe to walk and meet other dogs one to two weeks after they complete their first vaccination course, and the WSAVA schedule runs to 16 weeks of age or older. Until then, carry your puppy in public places. Our when can puppies go outside calculator works out the date from your vet’s vaccine dates. (PDSA, WSAVA)
Once walks start, begin in front of your home and build the distance slowly. VCA notes that growing puppies may only tolerate 5- to 10-minute walks, so plan short outings. How much activity your dog needs as it grows is covered in our guide to dog exercise needs. (VCA, VCA)
Bring plenty of high-value treats outside. Everything is new, and the sights, sounds and smells can be overwhelming; pair them with play, praise and treats. (AKC, AKC)
Step by step
Loose leash walking: the step-by-step method
- Make the lead mean good things. Indoors, clip the lead on for short spells while you play, and give a treat every time it comes out, so your puppy links it with the best of times. (VCA, AKC)
- Teach a marker word. Say “Yes!” and give a small treat straight after. Only say it when you have a treat ready, so the word always predicts a reward. (AKC, VCA)
- Reward attention. Stand still and quiet with the lead on. The moment your puppy looks at you or comes back to you, mark it and reward it. (RSPCA, AKC)
- Take a few steps together. Walk a few steps indoors with a treat held near your leg at nose height, and reward your puppy for walking beside you on a slack lead. Keep sessions short. (VCA, VCA, RSPCA)
- Add a cue. Once your puppy follows reliably, say a cue such as “Let’s go” as you set off, and use its name to get attention before you turn. (VCA, AKC)
- Stop when the lead goes tight. The moment the lead tightens, stand still. When there is slack again, mark, reward and walk on. Do this every single time. (PDSA, RSPCA)
- Move up to harder places. Practise in the garden, then in front of your home, then on quiet streets, with higher-value treats as distractions grow. (VCA, VCA, AKC)
- Fade the treats slowly. When your puppy walks on a loose lead reliably, swap some treats for praise, a little at a time rather than all at once. (PDSA)
Pulling
How to stop a dog pulling on the leash
Dogs pull to get where they are going. They pull when excited, full of energy or keen to explore, and many learn young that pulling gets them forward. The fix is to make pulling stop working, every time. (VCA, PDSA)
- Burn off energy first: PDSA suggests a long play session before early training walks. (PDSA)
- Stop the moment the lead tightens, and reward and walk on when it slackens. Expect to stop and start many times at first. (PDSA)
- If a distraction is too much, stand still or step away from it, then reward a loose lead. (VCA)
- Practise with a toy placed on the floor ahead: your puppy only reaches it on a slack lead, and learns that pulling slows things down. (RSPCA)
- Give regular sniffing walks where your puppy chooses the route; they meet enrichment needs and take the edge off. (AKC)
- Use a front-clip harness while you train, so pulling turns your puppy towards you rather than giving it leverage. (Cavalli and Protopopova 2025, AKC)
Be patient. PDSA calls it a very long process, and VCA says most dogs need several months of regular practice. Walks will take longer than usual while you train. (PDSA, VCA)
Equipment
Harness vs collar for a puppy: which is better?
For most puppies the harness wins, mainly because it keeps pressure off the neck. In a study of 26 dogs, eye pressure rose when pressure was applied through a collar but not through a harness, and the authors advise a harness for dogs with eye conditions such as glaucoma. (Pauli et al. 2006)
The sources do not all agree. AKC’s leash training guide calls a harness generally better for puppies, while another AKC guide suggests a standard collar for puppies just learning. A 2025 review of 21 full-text studies concluded there is no one-size-fits-all device. (AKC, AKC, Cavalli and Protopopova 2025)
| Situation | Flat collar | Harness | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy that does not pull | Suitable: restricts the body least | Suitable: back-clip, Y-shaped or chest-strap | (Cavalli and Protopopova 2025) |
| Puppy that pulls | Not the right choice if it pulls hard or until it coughs | Non-tightening front-clip harness | (Cavalli and Protopopova 2025, VCA, PDSA) |
| Toy or small breed | Not advised: tracheal collapse is most common in these breeds | Recommended, to avoid throat damage | (Merck, VCA, AKC) |
| Flat-faced breed | Not advised: neck pressure makes breathing harder | Recommended, well fitted | (RSPCA, PDSA) |
| Eye conditions such as glaucoma | Not advised: collar pressure raised eye pressure | Recommended | (Pauli et al. 2006) |
| Neck as wide as the head (e.g. Bulldog, Pug) | Easy to slip out of | Harder to slip out of when well fitted | (AKC, AKC) |
| ID in public (UK law) | Needed: a collar with an ID tag | Wear it with the collar, not instead | (RSPCA) |
Harness vs collar, by situation
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Do harnesses make dogs pull more?
Sometimes. In a study of 52 shelter dogs, dogs pulled harder and longer in a back-connection harness than in a collar when reaching for food, though not for a toy. That is why the clip goes on the chest for a puller: VCA advises a harness with at least two clip points, one on the back and one at the front between the front legs. (Shih et al. 2021, VCA)
Flat-faced breeds and small breeds
A 2025 study of 24 dogs found that just wearing a collar raised eye pressure in flat-faced dogs, even standing still. The RSPCA and PDSA both say to walk flat-faced breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs on a harness. For toy breeds such as Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and Yorkshire terriers, VCA and ACVS advise a harness because of tracheal collapse. (Bailey et al. 2025, RSPCA, PDSA, VCA, ACVS)
Sizing and fit
Size by your puppy’s expected adult build; the puppy weight calculator estimates adult weight. AKC’s fit rule is one finger of space under the straps for small dogs and two for large breeds. Too loose and a puppy can wriggle out; too tight is painful. (AKC, AKC)
What about head halters?
A head halter loops over the nose and turns the head when the dog pulls. VCA says it is not right for every dog, needs a slow introduction, and must never be used with a long line or retractable leash or jerked. A 2025 review warns head collars can cause more discomfort, so try a front-clip harness first. (VCA, Cavalli and Protopopova 2025)
Leashes
Best leash for a dog that pulls: which type to use
A plain, fixed-length leash is the training tool. The length figures below are the sources’ own; check your local laws for any maximum leash length. (AKC, VCA)
| Type | Use it for | Caution | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard fixed-length leash | Everyday training: AKC suggests a lightweight 6-foot leash; VCA 6 to 10 feet; some trainers start at 4 feet | Pick one comfortable to hold | (AKC, VCA, AKC) |
| Long line | Supervised sniffing and exploring: VCA suggests 15 to 50 feet | Never with a head halter | (VCA, VCA) |
| Retractable leash | Not for training: it rewards pulling | Can injure the windpipe or spine and cause friction burns | (AKC, VCA) |
Leash types for training
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Troubleshooting
Puppy won’t walk on a leash? Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely reason | What to try | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freezes, sits or lies down | Fear of the lead, collar or outdoors | Go back to short indoor sessions; lure with treats; carry your puppy 20 or 30 feet from home and let it walk back | (AKC, VCA) |
| Pulls towards smells and people | Dogs pull to get where they are going | Stop when the lead tightens; give sniffing walks | (VCA, AKC) |
| Chews or tugs the lead | Trying to play with or tug at it | Keep sessions short and reward walking beside you | (AKC, VCA) |
| Lunges or barks at dogs or people | A trigger such as another dog | Redirect with your cue before the trigger is close; get help if it continues | (VCA, VCA) |
| Coughs when the lead tightens | Neck pressure; possibly tracheal collapse in small breeds | Switch to a harness and tell your vet | (PDSA, ACVS) |
| Pulls again after doing well | Treats faded too fast | Fade treats slowly and replace them with praise | (PDSA) |
Common leash training problems
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Avoid
What not to do
AVSAB, the veterinary behaviour society, says reward-based methods should be used for all dog training, and aversive methods that rely on pain or discomfort should not. (AVSAB)
- Prong collars: do not use one. They are painful, can cause puncture wounds and do not teach good walking. (RSPCA, AVSAB)
- Choke or slip collars: do not use them. They rely on pain and can make a dog cough and damage the windpipe. (VCA, RSPCA, PDSA)
- Shock (electronic) collars: do not use them. They can cause pain, fear and new behaviour problems. (AVSAB, RSPCA)
- Do not jerk, yank or pull the lead back, and never tell your puppy off for pulling. (PDSA, AVSAB)
- Do not drag a puppy that will not walk: it will not learn to love the lead. (AKC)
- Do not train on a retractable leash, or clip one to a head halter. (AKC, VCA)
Getting help
When to get professional help with leash training
You do not have to wait until you are struggling: AKC says working with a trainer from the start helps prevent bad habits, and VCA says group classes help. Look for a trainer who uses rewards, not corrections. (AKC, VCA, AVSAB)
Lunging, barking or growling on the lead is a different problem from pulling. VCA advises asking your vet for a referral to a behaviour professional rather than relying on leash-walking steps alone. Our guide to the reactive dog explains triggers and management. (VCA, VCA)
See your vet first if your puppy coughs, honks or breathes noisily on walks, or seems in pain: equipment and training cannot fix a medical problem. (ACVS, PDSA, VCA)
- CCPDT certified dog trainer directory
Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers: trainers who passed an independent exam and keep up continuing education.
- IAABC member directory
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants: certified behaviour consultants, including for cats.
- Karen Pryor Academy trainer directory
Graduates of a reward-based (clicker) training programme.
A credential alone does not guarantee good practice, so ask how the trainer handles a mistake and watch a class first. Look for rewards such as treats, toys and praise. Walk away from anyone who uses prong or shock collars, leash jerks, rolling a dog onto its back, or talks about being the boss, alpha or pack leader. If fear, anxiety or aggression is involved, start with your vet, a veterinary behaviourist or a credentialed behaviour consultant. (AVSAB)
FAQ
Questions people ask
- What age can you start leash training a puppy?
- Straight away. AKC says it is never too early to start the basics of loose-leash walking, as soon as you bring your puppy home. Begin indoors and in the garden. Walks in public wait until one to two weeks after the vaccine course, which runs until at least 16 weeks of age, so ask your vet for your puppy’s date. (AKC, PDSA, WSAVA)
- Is a harness or a collar better for a puppy?
- For most puppies, a harness. It keeps pressure off the neck, and collar pressure from pulling raised eye pressure in one study while a harness did not. Toy and small breeds, flat-faced breeds and puppies that pull are better on a harness. A flat collar suits a puppy that does not pull, and in the UK the collar and ID tag are still needed. (AKC, Pauli et al. 2006, Cavalli and Protopopova 2025, RSPCA)
- How do I stop my puppy pulling on the leash?
- Make pulling stop working. As soon as the lead goes tight, stand still; when it is slack again, reward and walk on. Reward your puppy often for walking close to you, have a play session before training walks, and use a front-clip harness while you train. Never jerk the lead back or tell your puppy off. (PDSA, RSPCA, Cavalli and Protopopova 2025)
- Why won’t my puppy walk on a leash?
- Usually fear or overwhelm. A lead is a form of restraint, and many puppies are frightened of the collar, the lead or the outdoors. Some freeze or lie down. Go back to short, fun sessions indoors, lure with treats, and try carrying your puppy 20 or 30 feet from home so it walks back. Never drag it. (AKC, VCA)
- Are retractable leashes bad for puppies?
- They are a poor choice for training. A retractable leash rewards pulling, because the harder the dog pulls, the more leash it gets. When a dog hits the end it can damage its windpipe or spine, and the cord can cause friction burns. AKC says to wait until your dog walks politely on a standard six-foot leash. (AKC, VCA)
- How long does it take to leash train a puppy?
- Longer than most people expect. VCA says most dogs need several months of regular practice, and PDSA calls training a dog not to pull a very long process. A puppy that is scared of walks might take weeks just to get comfortable. Short, regular sessions and rewarding every loose-lead moment are what speed it up. (VCA, PDSA, AKC, RSPCA)
Sources
Where this comes from
Every figure and threshold on this page comes from the veterinary sources below, and each one is linked where it is used. Where no source gives a cut-off, we say call your vet rather than invent one.
Effects of the application of neck pressure by a collar or harness on intraocular pressure in dogs
Pauli AM, Bentley E, Diehl KA, Miller PE. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 42(3):207-211 (PubMed 16611932) - dated 2006 - read 2026-10-27
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govEffect of a Collar and Harness on Intraocular Pressure and Respiration Rate of Brachycephalic and Dolichocephalic Dogs
Bailey ME, Packer MJ, Wills AP. Veterinary Medicine and Science 11(3):e70384 (PubMed 40294112) - dated 2025 - read 2026-10-27
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govReview of Collars, Harnesses, and Head Collars for Walking Dogs
Cavalli C, Protopopova A. Animals (Basel) 15(15):2162 (PubMed 40804952) - dated 2025 - read 2026-10-27
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDog Pulling on the Leash: Effects of Restraint by a Neck Collar vs. a Chest Harness
Shih HY, Phillips CJC, Mills DS, Yang Y, Georgiou F, Paterson MBA. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8:735680 (PubMed 34552977) - dated 2021 - read 2026-10-27
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govTracheal Collapse in Dogs
Merck Veterinary Manual (Dog Owners) - dated last updated September 2024 - read 2026-10-27
merckvetmanual.comTracheal Collapse in Dogs
VCA Animal Hospitals - dated last updated July 10, 2026 - read 2026-10-27
vcahospitals.comTracheal Collapse
American College of Veterinary Surgeons - read 2026-10-27
acvs.orgCoughing in dogs
PDSA - read 2026-10-27
pdsa.org.ukBOAS - breathing problems in flat-faced dogs
PDSA - dated September 2026 - read 2026-10-27
pdsa.org.ukHow to Care for Dogs with Brachycephaly
RSPCA - read 2026-10-27
rspca.org.ukHow to Teach a Puppy to Walk on a Leash
American Kennel Club - dated updated April 8, 2026 - read 2026-10-27
akc.orgDog Harnesses and Dog Collars: Which Is Right For Your Dog?
American Kennel Club - dated updated March 4, 2026 - read 2026-10-27
akc.orgChoosing the Right Harness for Your Dog
American Kennel Club - dated updated April 23, 2026 - read 2026-10-27
akc.orgRetractable Dog Leashes: When and How to Use Them Safely
American Kennel Club - dated updated March 10, 2026 - read 2026-10-27
akc.orgWhy Does My Puppy Refuse to Go on Walks? How to Train a Puppy to Walk
American Kennel Club - dated updated March 27, 2026 - read 2026-10-27
akc.orgLoose Leash Walking With Dogs (Controlling Pulling on Walks)
VCA Animal Hospitals - dated last updated July 17, 2024 - read 2026-10-27
vcahospitals.comDog-Walking and Leash Training Tips
VCA Animal Hospitals - read 2026-10-27
vcahospitals.comHow To Leash Train A Puppy (Leash walking: taking baby steps)
VCA Animal Hospitals - read 2026-10-27
vcahospitals.comHead Halter Training for Dogs
VCA Animal Hospitals - dated last updated April 10, 2026 - read 2026-10-27
vcahospitals.comHow to train your dog not to pull on the lead
PDSA - read 2026-10-27
pdsa.org.ukTrain Your Dog to Stop Pulling On The Lead
RSPCA - read 2026-10-27
rspca.org.ukProng Collars
RSPCA - read 2026-10-27
rspca.org.ukWalking your dog safely and responsibly in the UK
RSPCA - read 2026-10-27
rspca.org.uk2024 guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats
World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group (Squires et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice 65:277-316) - dated 2024 - read 2026-10-27
wsava.orgParvovirus in dogs and puppies
PDSA - read 2026-10-27
pdsa.org.ukPosition Statement on Humane Dog Training
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - dated 2021 - read 2026-10-27
avsab.orgHow to Choose a Trainer
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - read 2026-10-27
avsab.org
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