Key Takeaways

• Successful leash training starts with helping dogs feel comfortable with collars, harnesses, and leashes.
• Positive reinforcement and consistent cues build clear associations that support steady training progress.
• Short, repeated sessions work best, especially for puppies or high-energy dogs with shorter attention spans.
• Owners should stop movement when a dog pulls and reward calm, correct walking to prevent bad habits.
• Expanding walks into new environments strengthens good behavior and deepens the bond between dog and owner.

Artemizia Walker-Chinoy has built a long career supporting dog owners through practical walking and behavior guidance. Drawing on her work as the chief dog whisperer at Walker’s Walks and Pet Care in Berkeley, she has helped families address a wide range of training needs, including leash manners, challenging behaviors, and the needs of puppies and rescued animals.

Her background includes animal care roles at facilities such as Wag Hotel, Metro Dog, Mud Puppies and the Milo Foundation, where she gained hands-on experience with well-adjusted dogs and pets recovering from trauma. Artemizia Walker-Chinoy brings that experience to everyday training situations, offering insights that connect structured walking habits with long-term success.

Her ongoing commitment to physical activity, including hiking and yoga, complements her professional approach to supporting owners as they introduce dogs to safe, consistent leash walking routines.

Teaching Your Dog to Walk On a Leash

Dog ownership forms a significant part of American culture. Nearly 87 million U.S. households own at least one pet, and more than 65 million include at least one dog. Like humans, dogs have varying energy levels and exercise needs, but most require 30 to 60 minutes of daily activity, with some high-energy breeds needing more than twice that amount.

Walks are one of the simplest ways to provide a dog with the daily activity it needs. However, it may surprise inexperienced owners to learn that dogs, especially puppies and high-energy breeds, do not simply follow their owners obediently after putting on a leash. Fortunately, a few basic steps can help pet parents teach their dogs to behave on leash and during walks.

To start, owners must introduce their dog to their collar and harness. Individuals should set these and other items on the ground and allow the dog to sniff and observe them. While many dogs will wear these items without issue, owners should make sure the first experience is positive so that animals do not associate collars and harnesses with stress, anxiety, or pain.

Owners should repeat the same process for leashes and allow dogs to move freely around the house or a fenced-in area while wearing the leash, though they should make sure the leash does not get caught on anything. Some owners may benefit from introducing the collar, harness, and leash for brief periods of time.

Once a dog is familiar and comfortable with their walking equipment, individuals can begin by introducing cues. Dogs benefit from positive reinforcement, so owners can begin with a cue such as “Walk time,” then place the collar and leash on the dog and deliver a treat. Other pet parents prefer using a clicker or similar device for cues.

Next, owners should have the dog walk to them while wearing their collar, harness, and leash. Again, when the dog performs the desired cue, owners can provide a treat or another positive reward. Gradually, the owner can practice “stay” and “come” commands while holding the leash, then progress to walking a few steps in a chosen direction.

If the dog stops or pulls in a different direction, the person should stop moving and wait for the dog to become stationary. After the dog has followed their owner for a few steps in the correct direction, the person should provide a reward. Individuals can repeat this process, delaying rewards for longer periods until the dog is walking alongside their owner without pulling or stopping.

Owners must remember that different dogs have different attention spans and energy levels. Leash training an older dog from a local shelter may take only a few minutes, while training a puppy usually involves multiple short sessions spread across several days or weeks.

Once a dog has mastered basic leash walking, owners can introduce new environments with varying levels of distraction, from local parks to hiking trails or pet stores. Carrying treats helps reinforce good behavior, but over time, the walk itself becomes rewarding through exercise, exploration, and shared bonding.

Owners must also follow proper walking etiquette. Not all dogs are friendly, and not everyone feels comfortable around animals. During walks, owners should maintain control and guide their dogs away from potentially stressful or negative encounters.

FAQs

How do I introduce my dog to a collar and leash?

Start by letting your dog sniff and explore the collar, harness, and leash. Keep early experiences positive to avoid fear or stress.

What is the most important principle in leash training?

Consistency. Using the same cues, rewarding desired behavior, and repeating short training sessions builds reliable habits.

What should I do if my dog pulls during a walk?

Stop moving and wait until your dog becomes still. Reward them once they walk in the correct direction without pulling.

How long does it take to leash train a dog?

It varies. Older dogs may learn within minutes, while puppies often need several short sessions over days or weeks.

When should I introduce new walking environments?

After your dog masters basic leash manners at home, gradually add distractions like parks, trails, and pet stores.

About Artemizia Walker-Chinoy

Artemizia Walker-Chinoy is a pet care professional with experience in dog walking, behavior support, and group and individual handling. She founded Walker’s Walks and Pet Care in Berkeley in 2013, where she works with puppies, rescue animals and dogs with a range of behavioral needs. Her background includes animal care roles at Wag Hotel, Metro Dog, Mud Puppies and the Milo Foundation. She also brings experience from customer service positions and maintains an active lifestyle through hiking, yoga and fitness.