How to Train Your Puppy to Walk on a Leash Without Pulling
Paws Are GoodWalking your puppy should be one of the most enjoyable activity of your day. Fresh air, bonding time, and a chance for your furry friend to explore the world, in my opinion it all sounds perfect.
But if your puppy constantly pulls, lunges, or zigzags, the walk can quickly turn stressful. Teaching your puppy to walk politely and following your commands on a leash without pulling is not only possible, but it can also strengthen your relationship and set the stage for a lifetime of calm, enjoyable walks.
In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step techniques, common mistakes to avoid, and tips to make leash training positive and effective.
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Why Puppies Pull on the Leash
Before you start training, it helps to understand why puppies pull in the first place:
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Curiosity: Everything outside is new and exciting for your dog. Yes, you can imagine any scents, sounds, people, and other dogs. Puppies naturally want to rush toward what interests them.
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Energy: Puppies are full of enthusiasm, and walking at your slower pace feels restrictive.
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Reinforcement: If your puppy pulls and you keep walking, they learn that pulling works to get where they want to go.
The good news is that with consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, you can break this habit.
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Step 1: Start Indoors or in a Low-Distraction Area
I recommend that do not try to train your puppy in a busy park, experience will be overwhelming. Begin indoors, in your backyard, or on a quiet street.
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Clip on the leash and let your puppy get comfortable wearing it.
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Practice short walks around the living room or hallway.
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Reward calm behavior with treats and praise.
This low-stress environment helps your puppy associate the leash with positive experiences before bigger challenges.
Step 2: Teach the “Follow Me” Game
The foundation of loose-leash walking is teaching your puppy to pay attention to you.
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Hold a few small treats in your hand.
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Stand still and wait for your puppy to look at you.
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When they make eye contact, say “Yes!” and reward.
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Take a few steps forward. If your puppy follows without pulling, reward again.
This game reinforces the idea that walking near you leads to rewards, not dragging you down the street.
Step 3: Use the “Stop and Go” Method
If your puppy pulls ahead then never ever try to yank them back or yell. Instead of that consider to follow below tips:
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Stop walking immediately.
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Wait until your puppy comes back or loosens the leash.
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Once the leash is slack, resume walking.
Over time, your puppy learns that pulling gets them nowhere, while walking calmly allows the adventure to continue.
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Step 4: Reinforce with Treats and Praise
Always reward the behavior you want to see. Keep high-value treats (like small pieces of chicken or training bites) in your pocket.
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Reward when your puppy is by your side.
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Give verbal praise (“Good pup!”) and occasional petting.
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Use rewards less often as your puppy improves, but don’t eliminate them entirely.
Consistency is key. I insist that every correct behavior should be acknowledged.
👉 For quicker results, pair leash training with tasty rewards. Check our roundup of the good puppy treats for dog training.
Step 5: Introduce Cues and Commands
Adding verbal cues can help your puppy understand expectations.
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“Let’s go!” – signals it’s time to walk forward.
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“Heel” or “Close” – encourages your pup to stay by your side.
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“Wait” – useful at crosswalks or before entering busy areas.
Keep your commands clear and consistent. Short words work best for puppies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even well-intentioned owners can accidentally reinforce pulling. Here are pitfalls to watch for:
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Inconsistent rules: If you sometimes let your puppy pull, for example rushing to greet another dog, they’ll stay confused.
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Yanking the leash: This creates tension and can make puppies fearful.
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Overtraining sessions: Puppies have short attention spans. Keep training walks under 10–15 minutes at first.
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Skipping exercise: A tired puppy is easier to train. Play fetch or let them burn energy before training sessions.
Tools That Can Help
The right equipment can make leash training easier and safer.
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Front-clip harness: Reduces pulling by redirecting your puppy’s movement.
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Standard 4–6 ft leash: Avoid retractable leashes during training, as they encourage pulling.
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Treat pouch: Keeps rewards handy without fumbling in your pockets.
Remember: Tools support training, but they don’t replace consistent practice.
Progress Takes Time
Don’t expect perfection overnight. Some puppies grasp leash manners in a week, while others take months of reinforcement. Celebrate small wins: one block without pulling, ignoring a distraction, or responding to “let’s go.”
Stay patient and keep sessions short, positive, and consistent. Puppies learn best through repetition and rewards, not punishment.
The Long-Term Payoff
Once your puppy understands leash manners, your walks transform:
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Safer outings: Less risk of lunging into traffic or tripping you.
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Bonding time: Walking together builds trust and communication.
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Social opportunities: A calm dog is more approachable to neighbors and other dogs.
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Daily enrichment: A puppy who walks well gets more outings, which means a happier, healthier dog.
👉 Once your pup masters leash manners, try teaching fun tricks like How to Teach Your Dog to Shake Paws
Teaching your puppy to walk on a leash without pulling is one of the most valuable skills you can invest in. Like I said earlier in this post, it requires patience, consistency, and lots of rewards, but the result is worth every step. Start small, celebrate progress, and remember: every calm walk brings you closer to raising a well-mannered dog who loves exploring the world by your side.
Whether you’re just starting leash training or working to break bad pulling habits, the journey is about teamwork. Stay positive, stay patient, and soon your puppy will be strutting proudly at your side. I repeat no pulling required.
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