A walk with a golden retriever puppy should be an enjoyable one, but it quickly turns frustrating when your dog pulls you down the street! Leash pulling is among the top three behavioral issues golden retriever owners report, according to a survey by the American Kennel Club. I’ve been there too—kicking and screaming—trying to wrangle a rambunctious 50-pound ball of energy that thinks every walk is a race! The good news? With patience, consistency, and the right strategies, you can transform those crazy walks into pleasant strolls.
As a seasoned golden retriever owner, I’m excited to share all that I’ve learned about leash training a golden retriever puppy. This guide will walk you through tried-and-tested methods for teaching your Golden Retriever not to pull on the leash, allowing you both to enjoy your outdoor adventures together.
Leash training is just one component of raising a well-behaved Golden Retriever. For a complete foundation, check out our comprehensive Golden Retriever puppy training guide.
Understanding Why Golden Retrievers Pull on Leash
Before diving into training, it is essential to understand why your Golden Retriever puppy is pulling in the first place. If you know the reasons, you can address the causes rather than the symptoms.
Golden retrievers are hunting dogs developed to retrieve game for hunters. This retrieving nature of theirs makes them want to go ahead, especially if they spot something interesting. Your puppy isn’t being obstinate—they’re doing what comes naturally!
Puppies are naturally excited and curious about everything. That squirrel? Gotta see! Is that leaf blowing in the wind? Wow! Their excitement directly translates to pulling behavior as they try to reach whatever has caught their attention.
What owners don’t realize is that we often inadvertently reward pulling. When your puppy pulls, and you eventually move forward, they learn that pulling leads them to where they want to go. It’s a simple cause-and-effect lesson for them.
Golden retrievers have breed traits that predispose them to be more prone to pulling:
- They’re active and excited by nature
- They have strong bodies built for work
- They’re social and must welcome each person they encounter
- They’re intelligent and pick up behaviors quickly (including undesired ones!). If your puppy is also displaying biting behavior during walks, address this first with our proven biting solutions.
The best news is that the best time to address this behavior is while the puppy is still in its developmental stage. Between 8 and 16 weeks is an excellent time to lay the leash basics; although you can also successfully train an older puppy or adult dog, it may take a bit longer. Before tackling leash training, ensure your puppy has mastered these 10 essential commands, especially ‘sit’ and ‘stay,’ which are crucial for leash success.
Essential Gear for Successful Leash Training
The right gear can go a long way in training a golden retriever to walk on a leash. Let’s take a look at the options:
Collars or Harnesses
For puppies, I strongly recommend starting with a properly fitted harness rather than a collar. Here’s why:
Harnesses:
- Distribute pressure across the shoulders and chest rather than the neck
- Provide better control without risk of tracheal damage
- They have front-clip options that discourage pulling
- They’re perfect for a pulling-prone breed such as golden retrievers
If you do choose a collar, consider:
- A flat collar for identification once your dog is trained
- A martingale collar that cinches when pulled but can’t choke
- Avoid choke chains or prong collars, which can make walks uncomfortable
The most effective harness for pulling golden retrievers is typically a front-clip harness. These harnesses have a leash attachment ring on the chest area, which has the natural effect of turning your dog towards you when they forge ahead. A few of the well-liked options include Easy Walk Harness, Freedom No-Pull Harness, and Balance Harness.
Leash Options
When selecting leashes for golden retriever puppy training:
- A standard 6-foot leash works well for the majority of training scenarios
- Avoid retractable leashes for training—they teach that pulling expands their range
- Consider a training lead (10-15 feet) for recall practice in safe, enclosed areas
Material matters, too! I prefer nylon over polyester leashes for puppies, as they’re strong and washable. Leather leashes are nice, but puppies tend to chew them up.
Training Treats and Accessories
You’ll need:
- A treat pouch that clips to your waist or belt
- Small, valuable treats (tiny pieces of chicken, cheese, or commercially available soft treats)
- A clicker for clicker training (optional but handy)
- Having treats readily available at all times is crucial for speedy reinforcement. Keep in mind timing is everything in training!
Starting Leash Training: The Fundamentals Steps
Before you even think about walks around the neighborhood, you need to lay some foundations:
Introducing the Harness and Leash
Make the harness a pleasant experience from day one:
- Let your puppy sniff and investigate the harness
- Offer treats while showing them the harness
- Give treats as you slip it on, starting with just a few seconds of wear
- Gradually increase wearing time, always pairing it with treats and praise
- Once comfortable with the harness, attach the leash and let them drag it around briefly under supervision
This may take a few days but don’t rush it. Gaining good associations in the first place prevents resistance later.
Indoor Pre-Training
Start your golden retriever walk training indoors where there are fewer distractions:
- With the leash attached, call your puppy to come to you
- When they come, reward them with treats and praise
- Take a few steps backward and repeat
- Practice short walks around the house, rewarding when the leash is loose
- Introduce the stopping technique: when your puppy pulls, stop moving
Spend at least 2-3 days of training indoors before outdoors. This lets your puppy understand that a loose leash equals movement and reward.
First Outdoor Training
For your first outdoor training:
- Choose a quiet, low-distraction location (not the dog park!)
- Keep the sessions short (5-10 minutes)
- Have plenty of high-value treats available
- Expect more pulling and be patient—outside is exciting!
- Focus on rewarding any attention your puppy gives you
Remember that puppies under 16 weeks shouldn’t walk in public areas until they’ve completed their vaccinations. A backyard or a friend’s fenced yard is perfect for early training.
The “No-Pull” Training Method: Step by Step
Now let’s get into the specific techniques that will teach your golden retriever leash manners:
The “Stop and Stand” Technique
This simple but effective method communicates that pulling doesn’t work:
- Begin walking with your puppy on a loose leash
- The moment they start to pull, they stop walking completely
- Stand still and wait, making no sound and giving no attention
- When your puppy looks back at you or creates slack in the leash, immediately praise and give a treat
- Resume walking, repeating the process whenever pulling occurs
This approach requires patience—your puppy may be slow to catch on, at least initially. You might get just a couple of steps before needing to halt once more. That’s alright! Consistency is the trick here.
The “Change Direction” Method
This approach trains your puppy to pay attention to where you’re going:
- Walk forward with your puppy on a loose leash
- When they pull, make a kissing sound, or say their name
- If they don’t respond by looking at you, immediately turn and walk in the opposite direction
- When your puppy catches up and walks with a loose leash, praise and reward
- Continue changing direction unpredictably throughout the walk
Follow this technique because it teaches your puppy that pulling doesn’t get them where they want to go. It gets them further away! It also teaches them to keep an eye on you.
Working with Treats
Treats are your golden retriever puppy’s salary for good leash behavior:
- Reward every few steps of loose-leash walking initially
- Use a marker word like “Yes!” or a clicker to mark the exact moment your puppy is walking nicely
- As your puppy improves, begin spacing treats out
- Keep treats small so that you can give lots on the walk
- Hold treats next to you (where you want your puppy to be) rather than bending down
Use high-value treats for outdoor training, where distractions are likely to be greater. Your everyday kibble might work indoors, but chicken or cheese will be more motivating outside.
Training Cues and Commands
Introduce these helpful cues to your leash training:
- “Let’s go” – cue to start walking
- “With me” – prompt for walking alongside you on a loose leash (less formal than heel)
- “Wait” – prompt for pausing at doors or curbs
- “Leave it” – for disregarding distractions
Train each prompt separately in low-distraction locations before using it on walks.
Sample Training Plan
For a 12-week-old golden retriever puppy:
- Week 1: Harness introduction and indoor training (5 minutes, 3 times daily)
- Week 2: Backyard practice (10 minutes, twice daily)
- Week 3: Quiet neighborhood walks (10-15 minutes, twice daily)
- Week 4: Gradually introduce more distracting settings
Remember that puppies also possess short attention spans, so multiple short sessions are more effective than one lengthy one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Performing Leash Training
Even with the best of intentions, the majority of golden retriever owners commit these mistakes:
Inconsistent Training Methods
You let your puppy pull to greet another dog one day and not the next. That sends mixed messages! Be consistent—each family member must use the same techniques and apply the same rules.
Using Punishment-Based Methods
Jerking the leash, using a prong collar, or scolding your puppy for pulling typically backfires. These methods can cause fear or anxiety associated with walking, which can make pulling worse or create other behavioral issues. Not only is positive reinforcement kinder, but it also works better for golden retrievers, who are sensitive and eager to please.
Creating Leash Tension
Most owners unconsciously keep consistent leash tension, which invites pulling! Dogs naturally pull against pressure (opposition reflex). Keep the leash loose as often as possible, and be aware of tension.
Allowing “Sometimes” Pulling
“Only this once” quickly becomes a habit. If you occasionally allow pulling to reach interesting locations, your puppy will always try pulling because it occasionally works. Consistency requires never allowing pulling to be rewarded.
Inconsistency from Family Members
Make sure whoever walks your golden retriever follows the same rules. One slip-up where pulling is allowed can undo weeks or days of progress.
Solving Common Pulling Problems
Even with perfect technique, you might still experience the following common problems:
The Over-Excited Puppy
Golden retrievers are naturally excitable! If your puppy is too excited to focus:
- Exercise them before training sessions (play fetch in the backyard)
- Practice in the least exciting environment possible
- Use more valuable treats to compete with distractions
- Keep sessions shorter but more frequent
Pulling Towards Other People or Dogs
This social pulling is typical for friendly golden retrievers:
- Increase distance from the distraction
- Use the “Look at That” game—reward your puppy for calmly looking at the distraction
- Practice sits and focus exercises when you see dogs/people at a distance
- Gradually decrease the distance as your puppy improves
Environmentally Distracted Puppies
If your puppy is distracted by smells, sounds, or sights:
- Offer scheduled sniffing time as a reward for good walking
- Use a release cue like “Go sniff” to indicate when it is time to explore
- Practice focus exercises in more distracting environments
- Increase the value of your rewards to equal the environmental payoff
The Stubborn Sitter
Certain puppies sit or refuse to walk when training begins:
- Check if the harness is uncomfortable
- Try to lure them with treats or toys
- Walk assertively in voice and body position
- Think about whether fear might be causing the behavior
Handling Regression
Don’t panic if your well-trained puppy starts pulling again:
- Adolescence (6-18 months) often brings training regression
- Return to easier environments temporarily
- Refresh your training with higher-value rewards
- Be patient—this phase will pass with consistent training
Progressing Beyond Basic Leash Skills
Once your golden retriever has mastered basic loose-leash walking, you can take their skills to the next level:
Increasing Distraction Levels
Gradually work through the following environments:
- Quiet neighborhood streets
- Parks during off-hours
- Busier streets with a bit of traffic
- Parks with other dogs
- Pet-friendly stores
Increase difficulty only when your puppy is consistently successful at the current level.
Introducing Heel Command
A formal heel position (puppy’s shoulder aligned with your left leg) can be helpful in crowded areas:
- Start in a distraction-free environment
- Use a treat to lure your puppy into position
- Mark and reward when they’re in the correct spot
- Add the verbal cue “Heel” once they understand the position
- Practice for short distances, gradually increasing the duration
Integrating Leash Skills into Daily Life
Integrate leash skills into your daily routine:
- Practice loose-leash walking to and from potty breaks
- Use “wait” at doors and street crossing
- Ask for attention before crossing streets
- Practice “leave it” on walks in front of tempting objects
Off-Leash Recall Training
Good recall is the opposite of leash training:
- Start in a secure, enclosed area
- Practice calling your puppy in an excited manner
- Reward lavishly each time they come
- Gradually add distractions
- Never punish a dog who comes when called, even if they were late in doing so
Switching Equipment
As your golden retriever matures and masters leash manners, you can transition from a front-clip harness to a back-clip harness or even a flat collar for walking. Make this transition gradually, still rewarding loose-leash walking.
Conclusion
Leash training your Golden Retriever puppy requires consistency, patience, and an understanding of your dog’s temperament. With the techniques outlined in this guide, you can enjoy pleasant, worry-free walks with your obedient companion.
Remember that golden retrievers are eager to please—they just need clear direction and positive reinforcement to understand what you’re asking for. Your puppy isn’t pulling because they’re being dominant or naughty; they’re pulling because they’re so excited about the world and don’t yet know how to control that excitement.
Start implementing these strategies today, and you’ll be walking with a puppy beside you rather than being dragged down the road in no time! Your arms, shoulders, and relationship with your dog will thank you.
The journey to perfect leash manners does not occur overnight—expect weeks or even months of consistent training rather than days. Each walk is a training session and a bonding experience with your Golden Retriever. Celebrate small victories along the way, and before you know it, you’ll have a walking companion who turns heads for all the right reasons!