Do you know what to do when your puppy doesn’t want to walk on a leash?
It is very common for puppies to refuse to walk on a leash. After all, moving with restriction is not natural for dogs. Despite this, you do need to teach your dog that walking on a leash is a positive thing. In order for your pup to be able to walk outside or go anywhere with you, they must learn how to walk and behave properly on leash.
Check out what to do when your puppy doesn’t want to walk on a leash below!
Step 1: Introducing the Leash
The first step in getting your puppy to walk on a leash is to teach him that leashes are good things and that through them, he can get delicious treats.
While inside, sit on the floor and place your dog’s leash in front of him. Every time your puppy looks at it, click and offer a treat.
If your puppy positions himself away from the leash, throw the treat towards the leash. Surely he will approach the leash again, waiting for another click and another treat.
After playing for a few minutes, place the leash in a place that your dog doesn’t have access to.
Try to practice this exercise 2-3 times over the course of 3 days. Soon your puppy will be running to the leash whenever you take it out.
Step 2: Having Fun with the Leash
By this second stage, your puppy will probably be feeling more comfortable with the leash. If he is not yet ready, be patient and repeat the previous step. Remember, when it comes to training, multiple small sessions are better than one long session.
For this next step, you should fill a toy with food the day before. Put the toy in the freezer and the next day, put the leash on your dog to have him drag it around the house while playing with the toy.
Once your puppy is done playing, remove the leash and store it in a safe place. Your pup can practice this game several times a day, especially during meals.
Through this fun game, your dog will learn that wearing the leash is associated with positive things. We recommend practicing this step for at least 4 days before moving on to the next step.
Read More: How to Raise a Confident Puppy
Step 3: Holding the Other End of the Leash
By now, your puppy should already be associating the leash with positive things. Now it’s time to hold the other end of the leash.
You should teach your dog that leash pressure is not a scary thing. For this task, you will need some treats and a clicker.
Place the leash on your puppy and hold the handle with one hand. Then, start walking slowly and get your dog’s attention while holding the leash and offering the treat. He will likely fall behind a little while walking. Call him to you and offer a treat as a reward.
In order for your puppy to get used to the leash pressure, you should practice this exercise for 2 minutes each session, multiple times per day.
Step 4: Strolling Outdoors!
The last step is just as important as the others!
If your puppy is already comfortable walking on a leash indoors, then it’s time to walk on a leash outside. Before going to a park or walking around the neighborhood, you should train him in your backyard or a quiet area outside with few distractions.
This will be a completely new experience for your dog. After all, the outside environment has more things to explore. Your puppy will likely be a little more distracted, watching squirrels or neighbors go by.
If your dog pulls on the leash during training, remain still. Once he stops pulling, reward him with praise and treats.
Once your puppy walks well on a leash around your yard, you can start exploring new places together! Gradually build up to exploring new places, and start with the lowest distraction environments first.
Read more: How Long Does Puppyhood Last?
Puppy Doesn’t Want to Walk on Leash – Final Considerations
If your puppy doesn’t want to walk on a leash, know that investing in Training Sessions with your pup will solve this problem. Teaching a dog to walk on a leash is not an easy task. However, with patience and consistency, your pup will learn!
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