Puppy and lead

[essieestherson]

Hello there, I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to get my puppy to like his lead.

He is 9 weeks old, is that too young to use a lead? We were wanting to take him for short walks.

He has no problem with his collar but I have tried to put the lead on twice and he does not like it!

Has he had all his vaccinations?
What breed?
TBH at that age it is more about experiencing the world than needing a walk on a lead. Socialising a young puppy is much more important.

Hi thanks for replying. He is having his vaccinations today.

Am I best to leave the lead now then for a few weeks?

Have a little practice in the garden for a few minutes at a time until he gets the idea. A treat in your hand helps too

I started Elfpup this way so by the time he was cleared to go out he was confident and happy on his lead

That's great thanks! I'll try him in the garden later today.

Ask your vet when you can walk the puppy on the road as they recommend waiting a certain time afterwards depending on the type of vaccination.

Mine hated the lead both in the garden and outside. He only really started tolerating it when we used it to walk him a short distance from car to a safe area where he could be off lead so he then started to associate it with good things.

I attached a light lead to his collar from day one and left it on in the house and took him in the garden with it each time we went out for a wee. He got used to it very quickly. Obviously take it off when unsupervised.

As PP attach a light lead to his collar, and then lots of treats/praise. Don't pull him by it, but allow him to walk himself with the lead loose.

In the meantime, as long as he is fully vaccinated you can carry him around outside to get him use to the sights/sounds/smells.

We had to wait a further two weeks after last vaccination. She is now 10 months old and was perfect on the lead, now as a teenager she is very impatient!

You might even like to start by putting the lead on. Treats. Take it off!
If you have a small breed or a pup that pulls then a harness might be better.
You shouldn't walk an unvaccinated pup in public but you can take them in the car and carry them to see the sights. Things that might be scary like hi vis and traffic and other dogs. Give pup a chance to view them from a distance and decide they're ok!