puppy leash walking


You’ve mastered how to leash train a puppy and are looking for ways to increase the activity level now that your puppy is getting older. You might also be looking to walk longer, faster or more frequently. There are some important items you’ll want to keep in mind as you and your young dog are out and about. 

Refresher on how to leash train a puppy

Basic leash-walking skills serve as the foundation for a more active lifestyle with your dog, so let’s quickly review how to train a puppy to walk on a leash. 

These are the basic steps for how to teach a puppy to walk on a leash:

  1. Start by introducing your puppy to the leash inside the home
  2. Try walking your puppy on the leash inside the home 
  3. Once your puppy is a pro in the home, try leash walking in the yard 
  4. Over time, you can slowly increase the distance until you’re going on full walks 
  5. Leash walking training should include learning polite behaviors of walking next to you(heeling) without pulling and remaining calm when facing distractions.

At each step, your puppy should receive delicious treats and praise for a job well done. As you move beyond the basic steps into long dog walks, positive reinforcement will continue to be the cornerstone of your active walks together.

What equipment will you need for your young dog’s walks?

The basic equipment for walking your young dog is going to stay the same (collar/harness, leash, treats, poop bags). However, there are a couple other items and considerations to keep in mind.

Neck collar vs. head collar vs. harness

At a minimum, your young dog should have a neck collar on to attach their leash to. However, if your dog is a puller, you could consider a head collar or a harness as an alternative. These items may allow for better control of your dog and prevent neck injury.

Leash

Avoid retractable leashes, which can be dangerous for both you and your dog. Check your local laws to see if there is a maximum leash length.

Treats

Now that your puppy is more mature, you should have a better idea as to what treats are desirable enough to reinforce positive behaviors. Keep in mind that treats shouldn’t comprise more than 10% of your young dog’s total caloric intake. 

Poop bags

This one is self-explanatory. Please clean up after your dog.

Basket muzzle

A muzzled dog isn’t a bad dog. If you have a dog who could potentially become aggressive or who tries to eat items on walks, consider training them to accept a basket muzzle. A basket muzzle will allow them to drink water and to pant but prevents dangerous behaviors like biting or indiscriminate eating. 

Whistle or other sound maker

You can train your dog to recall to a whistle or sound maker, or you can use these to break up dog fights. If you’re a nighttime walker, these can be an important safety tool.

Water bowl and bottles

For longer walks, bring a portable water bowl and some bottled water, especially on hot or humid days.

Paw shoes, covers or wax

Long walks on hot days with scorching pavement or on cold days with salted roads could lead to paw pad injuries. Make sure you’re protecting your young dog’s paw pads if you’re taking them for long walks in these conditions.

How often should you walk your young dog?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for how often to walk a puppy or young dog. How often a dog needs to be walked depends on their age, activity level, need for mental stimulation and underlying health conditions.

When puppies are still small and learning to walk on a leash, they can only tolerate very short walks, so you may walk them more frequently. However, older puppies and young dogs can tolerate longer walks, so one to three walks daily is usually sufficient. For low-energy breeds like shih tzu or pugs, one walk might be enough. Meanwhile, active dogs like huskies, German shepherds or Jack Russell terriers might need at least two to three walks daily to burn off energy.

Speak with your VCA care team if you’re unsure how often your dog needs to be walked.

How long should you walk your young dog?

Similar to how often to walk your puppy, how long to walk a puppy or young dog depends on the individual animal’s needs.

While your puppy was growing, they may have only tolerated 5- to 10-minute walks. Now that your puppy is becoming a young dog, they should be tolerating longer walks that last at least 15 to 30 minutes, sometimes longer. The low-energy breeds will usually only need one to two relatively short walk(s), while a more active young dog might need two to three longer walks every day.

You will also need to consider the outside temperature. Flat-faced (brachycephalic), double-coated or dark-furred dogs and dogs with certain conditions like heart disease may have a lower heat tolerance, so their walks may need to be shortened on hot and/or humid days.

How to safely walk your young dog at night

For some pet owners, nighttime is the best opportunity for a nice, long walk, whether due to the owner’s schedule, the dog’s reactivity to other animals on walks or to beat the heat. But nighttime dog-walking can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. Consider the following:

  • Put a reflective vest on yourself and your dog
  • Bring a light so people can see you (and you can see dog poop to pick it up)
  • Bring a phone so you can call for help if an accident occurs
  • Stay in well-lit areas for your own safety
  • Try to stay on the sidewalk whenever possible
  • Don’t wear headphones so that you can remain alert
  • Consider bringing a whistle, other sound maker and/or pepper spray

Walking your dog is a great way to bond with your puppy and keep you and your puppy in shape. Make sure you’re considering your dog’s reactivity to other animals or people, your pet’s health needs and the safety of both you and your pet when planning your walking routes and times.

Protect your young dog, and yourself, with these dog walking safety tips.