Best Dog Leashes – And How to Leash Train Your Dog

Pets Can Smile – 5 July 2024

Walks with a dog are favorite moments for every dog owner.

But for these walks to be really enjoyable, you need:

• A quality leash that is suitable for your dog
• A dog that has been properly trained to walk on a leash

But worry not.

We’ll show you what are the best dog leashes on the market.

We’ll also quickly show you how to leash train your dog.

Let’s do this.  

How to Leash Train Your Dog

Your puppy will dart in all possible directions on your first leash walks.

Also, if you’ve never trained your older dog to walk on a leash, the silly thing will:

• Run in circles around you
• Pull you down the street
• Treat the leash like a tug toy

But worry not, this will soon change!

We’ll quickly show you how to leash train your dog.

It’ll be totally worth it!

And no, leash training is not hard.

The below STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS are suitable for dogs of all ages, from a puppy to adult to older dog.

Start indoors – in a small and quiet space.

It’ll be much easier to start the leash training in a small and quiet area (the fewer distractions, the better).

Yes, we recommend a harness for your leash training.

A harness is gentler on your dog’s neck – pulling on a collar can cause injury to your dog.

Put on the harness and clip the leash to it – then give your dog a treat (positive reinforcement).

If your dog doesn’t want to wear a harness, use a treat to lure you pup’s head through the neck hole.

Give your dog a treat for getting its head through the neck hole. Then another treat when you clip the harness. And another treat when you attach the leash. Done! Your dog is in.

Now, let’s teach your dog to stay by your side.

Take a small step (in any direction) – then stop and watch your pup.

The moment your dog takes even a single step in your direction, praise your pup and give it a treat.

Make sure to give the treat at your dog’s head level and next to your leg. This will help your dog understand where you want it to be. That was easy, right?

After your dog follows you in one direction, it’s time to introduce new directions.

So start moving in different directions – and reward your dog with a treat each time your pup follows you.

Practice moving in different directions for about 10-15 minutes per day, until your dog consistently follows you.

Once your dog is consistently following you, pick a side on which you’ll give your pup treats.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s your right or left side – but once you choose the side, give your dog treats only on that side.

If your dog is on the wrong side of you, lure it to the correct side with a treat.

If your pup is not following the treat to the correct side, position yourself so that your dog is on the correct side of you.

Once your pup is following you in exchange for a treat after each step, start to vary how often your give treats.

For example, make two steps, then give a treat. Then four steps and give a treat. Then one step and give a treat. Keep it all random – this will help keep your pup focused.

Once your dog has mastered walking on a leash in a small room, move to new places.

Try a hallway and bigger rooms.

If your pup struggles to consistently follow you in these new places, start again giving one treat for each step. Then gradually reduce the frequency of treats.

When your dog is doing well in larger rooms, you can walk in your backyard and around your home. As before, adjust the frequency of treats based on your dog’s performance.

Once your pup consistently follows you at home and near home, it’s time to move to the proper outdoors!

So start walking around your neighborhood. As before, adjust the frequency of treats based on how well your dog is doing.

You can always come back to smaller and familiar spaces if your dog starts pulling or wandering away from your side.

And now, let’s get your dog a new leash.

Your pup totally earned it!

STANDARD LEASHES

Here are our picks for the best standard leashes on the market.

Frisco

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Available in 2 lengths (4 and 6 feet)
• Available in multiple widths (3/8 to 1 inch)
• Durable (high-quality, woven nylon with Ultra-Weld™ seal for superior strength)
• Convenient bolt snap (easily attach the leash to a collar or harness)
• Nickel-coated clip for a clean & polished look
• Comfortable loop handle (easy & comfortable to grip)
• Comes in standard & vibrant color options

Doggy Tales

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Available in 5 feet length
• Durable (made from rock climbing rope)
• A handle with comfortable & non-slip padding (great control)
• Reflective lining (great for night walks)
• 360-degree rotating clasp (for perfectly free movement)

RETRACTABLE LEASHES

Here are our picks for the best retractable leashes on the market.

TUG

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Available in 2 lengths (10 & 16 feet)
• Available in 3 colors
• Durable internal coil for consistent retraction
• Ergonomic handle (non-slip design)
• The leash can move 360 degrees for tangle-free freedom
• Lock & break system (control how far your pup goes with a single button
• Weather resistant (chrome-plated hook)

Flexi

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Available in 26 feet length
• Also available in 10 feet & 16 feet length
• Break button for ultimate control
• Ergonomic grip for comfortable handling
• Manufactured by hand in Germany

DOUBLE LEASHES

Here are our picks for the best double leashes on the market.

Wigzi

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Available in 4.5 feet length
• Designed for walking two dogs at once
• Perfect for families with multiple dogs, dog walkers, and shelter workers
• Built-in coupler with a smooth spinning action (automatically untangles leashes)
• Ergonomic handle (soft & squishy gel filling that reduces hand fatigue)
• Durable (can be used for all dog breeds & sizes)
• Reflective rope (perfect for night walks)

Wigzi

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Can extend to 10 feet length
• Walk two dogs on one retractable leash
• Allows you to individually control each dog during walks
• Built-in untangling mechanism (enjoy your walk without stopping to untangle leashes)
• The leashes & brake buttons are color-coded (so you always know which dog you’re controlling)
• Stop just one dog – or stop both dogs with the push of a button

HANDS-FREE LEASHES

Here are our picks for the best hands-free leashes on the market.

Tuff Mutt

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

• Hands-free bungee leash
• Perfect for running, hiking, or using your phone while walking your dog
• 4-foot long (extends up to 5 feet when pulled)
• Slide belt clip (your dog can move from side to side without tangles or tripping)
• Durable, heavy-duty clip
• Leash designed to absorb shock
• Leash attaches to the adjustable waist belt (included)
• Lightweight & reflective waist belt
• Comfortable fit
• Two control handles (can be easily grabbed to keep your dog close in crowded areas)
• Bright & reflective stitching (perfect for night walks)

Best Dog Leashes – Conclusion

This article showed you what to do if on your walks your dog:

• Darts in all possible directions
• Runs in circles around you
• Pulls you down the street
• Treats the leash like a tug toy

We also showed you our top picks for the best dog leashes.

For your convenience, here are again our top picks:

Our team wishes you and your dog the best walks ever!