Top Tips for Teaching Your Puppy to Walk Nicely on a Leash
How to Build Great Walking Habits From Day One
One of the most exciting moments for new puppy parents is heading out for a walk — leash in hand, pup by your side, tails wagging. But then reality hits: your adorable furball is pulling like a freight train, tangled around your ankles, or flopping on the sidewalk refusing to move. Sound familiar?
Leash walking is one of the most important — and most challenging — skills for a young dog to learn. But with patience, consistency, and a solid training plan, your puppy can grow into that dream walking companion. At Wiggle Butt Academy, we specialize in setting dogs up for long-term success, and we’ve helped countless families turn chaotic walks into calm, confident outings.
Here are our top expert tips for teaching your puppy to walk nicely on a leash — without the stress, frustration, or sore shoulders.
1. Start Before You Step Outside
Good leash manners don’t start at the end of your driveway — they start in your living room. Puppies need time to get comfortable with:
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Wearing a harness or collar
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The feeling of a leash attached to them
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Following you with attention and engagement
Begin indoors in a low-distraction environment. Practice short sessions where you reward your puppy for walking near you, looking at you, and following you around the room. Use tiny, high-value treats (like soft training bits or boiled chicken) to keep it fun and engaging.
Make this a game! Walk a few steps, mark with a cheerful “yes!” and reward when they’re by your side. This teaches your puppy that staying close to you pays off — long before you add in the distractions of the great outdoors.
2. Choose the Right Equipment
We recommend starting with a well-fitting front-clip harness and a 6-foot leash (not a retractable). A front-clip harness gives you more control and gently discourages pulling, while avoiding pressure on your pup’s delicate throat.
Avoid prong collars, choke chains, or any gear that causes discomfort — not only can these tools cause physical harm, but they also risk damaging your puppy’s trust and confidence.
Look for gear that allows your pup to move freely, safely, and comfortably. If you’re not sure what harness works best, our trainers are always happy to help with fitting and recommendations.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement to Reward Good Choices
Dogs do what works. If pulling gets them where they want to go, they’ll keep pulling. But if walking beside you gets them treats, praise, and forward motion — they’ll start choosing that behavior instead.
Here’s how to reinforce loose-leash walking:
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Reward frequently at first — every few steps when your pup is walking nicely beside you
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Use a marker word (like “yes!”) or a clicker to let them know exactly when they’ve made the right choice
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Deliver treats at your side (where you want your dog to be), not out in front
As your puppy gets better, you can slowly reduce how often you treat, but don’t rush it. Consistency early on leads to long-term results.
4. Keep Walks Short and Sweet
Puppies have tiny attention spans and limited stamina. Rather than long, exhausting walks, aim for multiple short training walks throughout the day — even if it’s just down the driveway or around the block.
Quality beats quantity. A five-minute walk where your pup stays engaged and successful is more valuable than a 30-minute walk full of pulling, frustration, and overstimulation.
Use these sessions to practice leash skills, explore at their pace, and build confidence in the outside world.
5. Let Your Puppy Sniff — It’s Enrichment!
Here’s something many people don’t realize: letting your dog sniff is not a distraction — it’s part of the reward!
Sniffing is how dogs gather information and decompress. Letting your puppy explore with their nose can actually reduce pulling and frustration, especially if you turn sniffing into a reward.
Try this: If your pup walks nicely for a few steps, give them a cheerful cue like “go sniff!” and let them explore a patch of grass or hydrant. This teaches them that staying close to you doesn’t mean missing out on all the fun.
Sniffing is mentally enriching, emotionally calming, and completely natural for dogs — so make time for it!
6. Be a Tree (But Don’t Yank the Leash)
What do you do when your puppy pulls ahead?
Don’t yank, scold, or drag them back. Instead, stop walking — like a tree. The moment the leash goes tight, you pause. When your pup turns or returns to you, mark and reward, then resume walking.
This teaches your dog that pulling = no forward progress, but staying close = rewards and movement.
Over time, they’ll learn that the fastest way to get where they want to go is by walking with you, not dragging you behind them.
7. Practice in Low-Distraction Areas First
The big world is full of exciting distractions: other dogs, squirrels, smells, people, cars, wind-blown leaves — you name it. And for a puppy, it can be overwhelming.
Set your pup up for success by starting in quiet, familiar places. Once they’re doing well in calm environments, you can gradually work your way toward more distracting spots. This concept is called “proofing” behaviors — teaching your dog to do the same thing in different situations.
If your puppy suddenly forgets their manners in a new environment, don’t panic. Just dial back the difficulty, increase your rewards, and support them with patience.
8. Make Training Part of the Walk
A walk isn’t just physical exercise — it’s a training opportunity! Mix in simple cues like:
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Name recognition (“Fido!” = eye contact)
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Touch (having your pup target your hand)
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Sit, down, or stay at crosswalks or quiet spots
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Come! and reward for returning to you
This keeps your puppy mentally engaged and helps generalize their skills in the real world.
9. Stay Patient and Celebrate Small Wins
Puppies are learning everything for the first time — and leash walking is a complex skill! They’re figuring out how to balance their instincts, emotions, and impulses in a world that’s brand new to them.
Celebrate the little moments: a few steps with a loose leash, a check-in without being asked, a calm pause at a curb. Those tiny victories stack up into a confident, well-mannered dog over time.
Remember: progress, not perfection.
10. Ask for Help Early (and Often)
If you’re struggling with puppy walks, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out solo.
At Wiggle Butt Academy, we specialize in force-free, science-based puppy training that sets families up for long-term success. Whether you need help getting started or you’re dealing with pulling, barking, or fearful behavior, our trainers can create a customized plan that works for your pup.
Private sessions, group classes, and even virtual coaching options are available — because the right support makes all the difference.
Final Thoughts
Teaching your puppy to walk nicely on a leash isn’t just about manners — it’s about building trust, communication, and shared joy. With the right tools, positive reinforcement, and lots of patience, you’re not just training your dog — you’re creating a lifetime walking buddy.
Happy training, and happy tails! 🐾💛
For more information on puppy manners contact us anytime:
Dog Training & Dog Behavior Consultant | Wiggle Butt Academy | Texas
https://www.wigglebuttacademy.com/
469-444-1474
2257 Ridgeview Dr Plano, Texas 75025
Wiggle Butt Academy offers dog training and behavior services by professional, certified dog trainers. We combine kindness and animal learning science to teach new skills and change unwanted behavior. We help with puppies and dogs of all ages and stages. We are Fear Free trainers who don’t use fear, force or pain to train your family pet.
Are you ready to unleash your pup’s wiggle butt? Join us at Wiggle Butt Academy, where we use positive reinforcement to teach dogs and their families how to live happy lives together.
