The Best Puppy Leashes and Leash Training Tips
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive commission for purchases made through these links. Price at time of publish date may change.
Have a new puppy in the house, or considering adding a four-legged friend to the family? While potty training and crate training might be top of mind, don’t discount another vital lesson for your young pup: leash training! It helps your new fur baby get acquainted with their schedule, from being comfortable on daily walks to staying well-behaved in public around other dogs and people.
To help guide you in the right direction, we spoke to experts Shelby Semel (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and founder and senior trainer at Shelby Semel Dog Training), and Jenny Efimova (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, Certified Control Unleashed Instructor, Fear Free Certified Training Professional, and founder of Dogminded). They gave us helpful professional advice to make leash training a walk in the park. “Walking nicely on a leash is not natural to a dog,” explains Semel. Therefore, it’s up to you, their human, to make sure they get the hang of it.
“Forget the idea that you’re going to have a smooth walk down the block with your puppy,” explains Efimova. “The most important thing with a puppy is to help them feel safe in the world and get comfortable with their environment.” One way to do that? Steer clear of aversive equipment like prong collars, choke or slip chains, and e-collars. While these styles can suppress pulling in the moment, they do so through discomfort or pain, which can injure your little buddy and create negative associations with other dogs, people, and the outdoors.
We combed the most reliable pet websites for the best puppy leashes on the market today, from rope leashes to ribbon styles, reinforced handles to hands-free designs. Keep reading for our recommendations on which puppy training leashes might be right for you, along with tips and tricks on how to successfully leash train your puppy.
01
Active Adventure Walk Set
The Foggy Dog
$132.00
If you’re someone who values looking put-together no matter how minor the occasion, this puppy collar and leash combo is worth considering. It offers a seamless, color-coordinated aesthetic and even includes a matching belt bag with a hidden baggie dispenser. Plus, you can easily transform it from a traditional to a hands-free leash.
02
Joytale Reflective Dog Leash
Amazon
$7.99
Available in multiple widths, lengths from four to six feet, and loads of colors, this Amazon find is a simple nylon leash perfect for puppies to full-grown dogs, small breeds to large, and every canine companion in between. It even includes a padded handle and reflective technology—features not often seen in leashes this affordable.
03
Hands-Free Rope Dog Leash
Wild One
$48.00
Between dog toys, water bowls, brushes, baggies, and more, a precocious puppy can keep your hands full on walks—literally. That’s where these super-stylish hands-free dog leashes from Wild One come in, well, handy! They’re easy to adjust to fit your needs, whether you want to put one around your waist, wear it across your body, or use it as a long-lead, handheld leash. It’s strong enough to handle dogs up to 80 lbs.
04
Flexi Classic Nylon Tape Retractable Dog Leash
Chewy
$11.99
Retractable dog leashes are a dream for pups who want to wander and owners who want to stay connected. It comes in lengths from 10 feet all the way to 26 feet, with a quick-stop mechanism to keep you in control. It also boasts more than 2,000 perfect ratings on Chewy. One reviewer comments, “I’ve been using Flexi leashes for 23 years now and never once has one failed me. This leash is perfect for hikes, beach walks, and lazy strolls giving my dog a good range to sniff, play, train recall, and run around until he’s off-leash trained.”
05
Waterproof Dog Leash
Wild One
$48.00
Whether your dog likes it or not, they’re definitely going to have to walk in the rain every now and then. Instead of coming home with a damp leash that’s going to be stinky and potentially harbor mildew, opt for this Wild One waterproof dog leash. It’s made from flex-poly-coated nylon, zinc alloy hooks, and coated carbon steel hardware, all of which will stand up to wet weather. Pair it with the matching cushioned harness, and they’ll have a set that looks fantastic, rain or shine.
06
Taglory Rope Dog Leash
Amazon
$8.99
This sturdy nylon dog leash is one of Amazon’s top sellers, with customers calling it “thick and sturdy,” “very comfortable to hold,” and “easy to see even in darker settings,” among more praises. We love the cushioned handle that makes it comfortable to grip even if your pup pulls. It comes in multiple lengths and widths, so no matter how large or small your pup, you’ll find one to fit your needs.
07
CHAI’S CHOICE Outdoor Adventure Padded Dog Leash
Chewy
$19.95
Designed specifically for outdoor adventures, this highly rated dog leash from Chewy caught our eye for all the right reasons. It’s made from a durable polyester; features an ergonomic, padded handle; is lined with reflective material for nighttime walks; holds up to dogs that like to pull; and comes in nine eye-catching colors. “The most comfortable leash I have ever used,” shares one reviewer. “It is sturdy and the hardware is heavy duty and works smoothly.”
08
Nite Ize NiteDog Rechargeable LED Dog Leash
Petco
$30.99
Between speeding cars, bikes, and more, walking your dog in the dark can be a bit precarious. Cue this LED dog leash. Rechargeable fiberoptic technology keeps the entire leash illuminated for up to six hours, and you can set it to emit either a steady or flashing light. Even if you already have a leash you love to use during the day, it’s worth investing in a nighttime leash to keep you and your dog safe in the dark.
09
Ocean Marine Rope Dog Leash
The Foggy Dog
$62.00
Sporting chic gold hardware and strong enough for dogs up to 100 lbs, this 5-foot luxe dog leash from The Foggy Dog is a solid pick for puppy parents. It’s made from the same double-braided nylon that’s often used on boats, so you know it will stay strong and withstand the elements. It is also available in a dozen great-looking colors and includes an O-ring to attach keys, poop bag dispensers, and more for easy carrying.
10
iYoShop Hands Free Dog Leash with Zipper Pouch
Amazon
$21.99
In addition to practical features like a heavy-duty clip, a removable zipper pouch, and functionality to fit waists from 27 to 48 inches, this hands-free leash is the perfect fashion statement. It comes in more than 30 (!!) designs, from solid colors, to colorful camo, cheerful flowers, and sweet hearts. And since the dual shock absorbers use bungee technology, the leash gets longer and shorter with no extra work on your part.
How do you leash train a puppy?
Leash training is a process, so be patient. Make sure to reward your puppy for staying near you with a loose leash, and don’t let pulling pay off.
1. Start Inside
Get your pup used to their leash and harness inside the house where they already feel comfortable, and pair their good behavior on the leash with dog treats. This will help normalize the feeling of being on leash. “Deliver the treat right at your leg, at their height, which literally shows them where the reinforcement is delivered,” Semel says.
2. Use Cues
Teach a few foundation cues, like “Let’s go,” “Heel,” or “Wait,” in a calm setting at home where they’re not distracted by the wide-open world around them.
3. Stop and Wait
Your dog naturally wants to go forward and explore, which is what makes them pull on the leash in the first place, a habit you don’t want to encourage. When the leash goes tight, simply stop moving. The moment the leash loosens, move again.
4. Gradually Go Outside
Now that you’ve familiarized your puppy with the leash inside the house, try to recreate this behavior outside. Keep your early outings short and manageable, and gradually add distraction, distance, and duration.
5. Build Sniffing Into the Plan
Dogs gather their information through smell, and sniffing can calm an anxious pup. “Rather than fighting it, use it,” say Semel. Let ‘go sniff’ be one of the rewards you give for nice walking.”
6. Pay Attention, and Pivot Accordingly
If your puppy seems overstimulated, overexcited, or overwhelmed, dial it back to a distraction-free zone until they get the hang of it.
More Leash Training Tips
- “Young puppies won’t walk with you down the block in a straight line. They will pause, sit, explore, zig zag and probably trying to put all sorts of things in their mouth. This is normal and developmentally appropriate,” Efimova says.
- “For a puppy, a walk is primarily a mental and developmental experience,” Semel explains. “A 20-minute sniff walk, where your puppy investigates at their own pace, does more for their development and their calm than a brisk forced march around the block.”
- “Always carry a treat pouch, and bring small, yummy, high-value treats,” Elfimova says. “This can also help you to redirect your puppy from things they find on the ground.”
- “Your emotional state travels down the leash,” Semel says. “A tight, anxious grip and a hurried pace communicate that something is wrong, while a relaxed arm and a calm voice communicate that the environment is fine. If you tense up every time another dog approaches, your puppy can learn that other dogs predict your stress, which is one of the ways leash reactivity begins. A loose leash and a relaxed handler matter more than people realize.”
The Ultimate New Puppy Checklist
This way, you have everything you need to make their new house feel like home.
Read More
Amy Gordon
Amy Gordon is a freelance writer and editor who splits her time between New York, NY and Vieques, PR. When she’s not at her desk, you’ll probably find her on a plane with her nose in a book, in the Caribbean snorkeling through coral reefs, or on the couch watching true crime TV. Learn more and read her work at www.amygordonmedia.com.
⚖️ How We Choose What to Recommend
