Puppy leash training works best with treats and patience. Start somewhere quiet, reward your puppy for being at your side, stop walking the moment the leash goes tight, and move on only when it's slack again. Over a few weeks your puppy figures out that a loose leash is what keeps the walk going.
Right now, though, your puppy probably thinks the leash is a toy, an enemy, or both. That's normal. This guide follows the loose leash method the Ontario SPCA teaches and the humane training position of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB): the gear, the first sessions, what to do when your puppy pulls, and the tools to skip.
What you need before the first walk
You need a leash, a comfortable collar or harness, and a pocketful of small treats. The rest is optional:
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| A 6 foot leash | The length the Ontario SPCA's guide uses; long enough to stay slack, short enough to keep control |
| A well-fitted collar or harness | Comfortable, nothing that tightens or pinches |
| Small, tasty treats | The Ontario SPCA suggests high and medium value treats kept for training |
| A treat pouch | So rewards are quick |
| A clicker (optional) | Marks the exact moment your puppy gets it right; a cheerful "yes" works too |
Before any leash gets clipped on, let your puppy wear the collar or harness around the house for short stretches, with treats and play, until it feels like nothing.
Puppy leash training, step by step
The Ontario SPCA's loose leash method breaks the skill into small steps, and you start indoors or in a quiet yard. First, pick a side. Lure your puppy there with a treat, then mark it ("yes", or a click) and reward. Start walking and invite your puppy along, rewarding often while they're beside you, especially in the beginning.
When your puppy charges ahead, stop. Wait until they look back at you or the leash goes slack, then mark and walk on. Every time they glance up at you on their own, mark and reward that too. Those check-ins are gold.
Once your puppy walks beside you reliably, add a cue like "Let's go" as you set off.
The rule that teaches everything: a tight leash means we stop, a loose leash means we go.
A sample first week
Every puppy learns at their own pace, so think of this as a rough shape, not a schedule. Move on only when the current stage feels easy.
| Days | Where | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | Indoors | Collar or harness on, leash attached, rewards for following you a few steps |
| 3 and 4 | Hallway or quiet room | Walking beside you, rewards for check-ins, stopping when the leash tightens |
| 5 and 6 | Yard or driveway | The same rules with gentle distractions such as smells and sounds |
| 7 | A quiet street, if your vet agrees | Short loops, lots of rewards, home before your puppy tires |
If your puppy struggles at a new stage, go back one step for a day or two. Progress is rarely a straight line.
What to do when your puppy pulls
Pulling is normal. The outside world smells incredible. If stopping doesn't work, the Ontario SPCA suggests giving your puppy a moment, then using a positive interrupter like a kissy noise, luring them back to your side and starting again. Still nothing? Change direction, encourage your puppy in a happy voice, and reward them when they follow.
A few things make all of this easier. Keep sessions short and stop on a win. Practise before meals, when treats count for more. Raise the difficulty slowly, from a quiet hallway to the yard to a quiet side street to somewhere busier. And let your puppy sniff on cue, because sniffing is a reward too.
Tools and methods to avoid
Skip anything that relies on force, pain or discomfort. AVSAB's 2021 position on humane dog training says reward-based methods should be used for all training and that those methods shouldn't be used, citing studies that link aversive methods with stress and with longer-term problems like aggression and anxiety.
AVSAB's guide to choosing a trainer lists these as red flags: prong or shock collars, leash jerks, pushing or pulling the dog, and talk of being the "alpha" or "pack leader". A young puppy learning to walk needs none of it.
If a trainer suggests a prong, choke or shock collar for a puppy, AVSAB's guidance says look for a different trainer.
First walks outside and socialization
Every leash walk is also socialization. AVSAB says the first three months of life are the main window for puppies to get used to new people, animals, sounds and places, and that socializing before a puppy is fully vaccinated should be the standard of care, done in ways that keep the risk of illness low. Ask your vet which places make sense in your area until the puppy series is done.
Our dog and cat vaccine schedule for Canada explains the puppy shots, and the free PetGrid app can send reminders so none get missed. A good class helps too; see how to choose puppy classes.
When to get help
Get help if your puppy freezes, panics or lunges at other dogs or people. Talk to your vet first; they can check for pain or fear and point you to qualified help. The Ontario SPCA notes that its method may not suit every dog or situation, and suggests a certified trainer or behaviour consultant for more complex needs.
Questions people ask
When should I start leash training my puppy?
You can start indoors as soon as your puppy comes home, with short, fun sessions. Move outside gradually, and ask your vet which places are safe until the vaccine series is done.
How do I stop my puppy from pulling on the leash?
Stop walking when the leash goes tight and move again only when it's slack, rewarding your puppy for being at your side. If stopping doesn't work, the Ontario SPCA suggests a positive interrupter, luring back to your side, or changing direction.
Should I use a collar or a harness for a puppy?
Either can work if it fits well and doesn't tighten or pinch. Avoid prong, choke and shock collars, which AVSAB lists as red flags.
How long should puppy leash training sessions be?
Short, just a few minutes at a time, ending on a success. Several quick sessions a day teach more than one long one.
What length of leash is best for training a puppy?
The Ontario SPCA's loose leash guide uses a 6 foot leash. It gives your puppy room to keep the leash slack while staying close enough to reward.
The short version
Puppy leash training is small steps and a lot of treats: a quiet start, a loose leash that keeps the walk going, and distractions added slowly. Skip tools that hurt, and ask for help if fear or lunging shows up. One day soon you'll notice you're just walking.
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