🦴 How to Introduce a Leash to Your Puppy the Right Way
If you’ve ever clipped a leash onto your puppy’s collar and watched them freeze like a statue, you’re not alone! Many new puppy owners experience this the first time they try to go for a walk. The good news? There’s a simple, gentle way to teach your puppy that wearing a leash is no big deal.
Why Puppies Freeze on the Leash
When a puppy feels pressure from the leash for the first time, it triggers what’s called an opposition reflex—a natural instinct to resist being pulled. It’s the same reason your puppy might lean back when you tug forward. That’s why it’s important to introduce the leash slowly, so they learn it’s nothing to fear.
Step 1: Start Small and Simple
Begin with a flat-buckle collar and the thinnest, lightest leash you can find—something only a couple of feet long. Cut off the hand loop so it doesn’t get caught on anything. Then, simply clip it on and let your puppy wear it around the house while you go about your day.
Feed your puppy, play with them, carry them around, or take them outside to potty—all with the leash attached. Keep an eye on them, of course, but let the leash become part of their normal routine.
Step 2: Gradually Increase Length and Weight
As your puppy grows more confident, you can slowly increase the leash’s length and thickness. By about 10 or 11 weeks old, most puppies will move freely while wearing it, with no more freezing or hesitation.
Step 3: Use the Same Method for Fearful or Rescue Dogs
This method also works wonderfully for older or fearful dogs who have never worn a leash. Start with a short, thin nylon lead—maybe just six inches long—and let the dog wear it around the house. Over several days, increase it to a foot, then two feet, then four feet. Eventually, they’ll begin moving naturally with it, building confidence at their own pace.
Step 4: Avoid the “Leash Means Walk” Mistake
If the leash only comes out when it’s time to walk, your puppy learns to associate it with pressure, resistance, and confusion. Instead, make the leash a normal, everyday part of life. The more familiar it feels, the faster your puppy will accept it calmly.
Final Thoughts
Introducing the leash slowly and positively sets the tone for all future walks and training sessions. It helps your puppy (or rescue dog) feel safe, confident, and ready to explore the world with you.
Below is the link to Method K9 about introducing a leash to your dog or puppy.