How to Get a Puppy Used to a Collar and Leash

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A first collar and leash feel strange to a puppy, but most get used to them quickly if you go slowly and keep it fun. This guide shows how to get a puppy used to a collar and leash at home, step by step, how to handle scratching, biting and freezing, and how to plan the first walks.

How we wrote this: the steps come from Battersea’s guide to training your dog to wear a collar, lead or harness, Best Friends Animal Society’s advice for dogs that hate wearing a collar and puppy socialization guide, and Dogs Trust’s guides to a puppy’s first walk and lead biting. All were checked on 1 November 2026. We did not test any collars or leashes for this guide, and we do not show prices or ratings.

Ask your vet about going outside. Dogs Trust says a puppy should not walk on the ground in public until their vet has confirmed they are protected, usually one to two weeks after the last puppy vaccination, and that the timing varies by vaccine. Your vet should set the date of the first walk. The collar and leash training below happens at home, so you can start it the day your puppy arrives.

What you need

• A flat collar that fits. Battersea calls a flat collar a simple, safe choice for most dogs and says it should be snug, with room for two fingers between collar and neck. A light nylon collar with a buckle, such as the Blueberry Pet Classic Nylon Collar, suits a small puppy. Our how to measure a dog for a collar guide covers sizing and fit checks.
• An ID tag. Battersea and Dogs Trust both note that in the UK a dog must wear a collar and tag with the owner’s name and address in public. See what to put on a dog ID tag. Dogs Trust also says to check that your puppy is microchipped with your current details before the first walk; your vet can do this.
• A plain, light leash. A 4 to 6 foot fixed leash with a small clip is easiest to learn on, such as the PetSafe Nylon Dog Leash or the Mendota Pet Snap Leash. Skip retractable leashes for now; our guide are retractable leashes bad? explains why.
• A harness, if you plan to use one. Dogs Trust suggests a well-fitted fixed harness for walks, with the collar and tag still on. If you use one, see how to measure a dog for a harness.
• Rewards and a place to keep them. Small rewards your puppy loves, plus a favorite toy. A pouch on your belt, such as the PetSafe Treat Pouch Sport, keeps your hands free. For what to put in it, see inthekibble.com.

For more options, see our best dog collars and best dog leash guides.

Step 1: make the collar a good thing

Best Friends and Battersea describe the same start: let the puppy meet the collar before it goes on.

1. Put the collar on the floor. Each time your puppy looks at it, sniffs it or touches it, say “yes” (or click, if you use a clicker) and reward. Our how to clicker train a dog guide explains markers.
2. Hold the collar in your hands. Best Friends says to hold it below your puppy’s chin and keep it still. Let your puppy come to it; do not push it at their face.
3. Bring it toward the neck. Battersea suggests asking for a simple behavior such as a sit, then slowly bringing the collar closer and rewarding your puppy for staying still. If they move away, go back a step.
4. Slip it on and fasten it. Reward as you go. Then play a game right away.
5. Take it off while your puppy is calm. Battersea says to remove the collar only when your puppy is settled, not in the middle of scratching or wriggling.

Best Friends suggests sessions of no more than three minutes, three or four times a day. Back up a step at the first sign of worry.

Step 2: build up wearing time

Battersea says to build up the time your puppy wears the collar a little at a time so it becomes part of normal life. Put it on before meals, play and cuddles, when your puppy has something else to think about.

Check the fit every few days as your puppy grows. Many owners take the collar off when the puppy is alone or in the crate, so it cannot catch on anything; our how to crate train a puppy guide covers crate safety.

If your puppy scratches or bites at the collar

Battersea says it is common for puppies to scratch or mouth a new collar because it is a new feeling. Distract them with a toy or play, and take the collar off only once they are calm. If the scratching goes on, check the fit, since a growing puppy can outgrow a collar very quickly. If your puppy freezes, panics or growls, Battersea says to stop and get help from a behaviorist, and to talk to your vet if you suspect pain.

Step 3: get your puppy comfortable being handled at the collar

You will need to hold the collar to clip on a leash, check a tag or keep your puppy safe. Best Friends describes a game to make collar handling feel good:

1. Touch your puppy’s head with one hand and reward with the other.
2. Touch under the chin and reward. Move your hand closer to the collar a little at a time.
3. Rub under the collar and reward. Then move the collar gently while you rub.
4. Hold the collar for a moment and reward. Build up to holding it while your puppy walks a few steps to a reward you have placed on the floor.

Best Friends says holding a collar and leading a dog by it are different things, and some dogs are much more sensitive to being led. Teach holding first. If your puppy pulls away, go back to touches they enjoy.

Do not lean over your puppy or put your face near theirs; Best Friends notes this can feel threatening.

Step 4: introduce the leash indoors

Once the collar is no big deal, add the leash at home, where there is little to distract your puppy.

1. Let your puppy sniff the leash. Dogs Trust suggests letting your puppy investigate it first, rewarding as they go.
2. Clip it on and let it trail. Battersea says to clip the leash on indoors and let it trail while your puppy plays or eats, so the leash means good things. Stay close so it does not snag on furniture, and never leave your puppy alone with a leash on.
3. Pick up the end and follow. Hold the leash loosely and follow your puppy as they explore. Battersea suggests short sessions moving from room to room.
4. Reward staying close. Dogs Trust suggests rewarding your puppy for standing or sitting by your side, then adding one step at a time and rewarding them for choosing to stay with you.
5. Reward a loose leash. When your puppy walks with the leash slack, reward. This is the start of loose-leash walking.

If your puppy gets wild when the leash comes out, Battersea suggests picking up the leash at random times without going anywhere, and rewarding calm behavior before you clip it on.

If your puppy bites or tugs the leash

Dogs Trust calls this lead ragging and says it is very common. Puppies may grab the leash from excitement, frustration or boredom, or to start a game. Tugging back can turn it into a game of tug. Instead, Battersea and Dogs Trust suggest offering a toy before you clip the leash on, or wiggling a toy low to the ground so your puppy lets go of the leash and takes the toy. Dogs Trust also suggests scattering a few rewards on the floor to sniff out. If the biting gets worse or your puppy starts chewing through the leash, Battersea recommends a behaviorist.

Step 5: practice in the yard

Dogs Trust says a puppy can use an enclosed yard not visited by unknown dogs after the first vaccination, away from ponds and still water. Ask your vet first, then practice short leash sessions there.

Step 6: the first walks

Once your vet says your puppy can go out, Dogs Trust’s advice for the first walk is simple: the only goal is a positive experience that builds confidence.

• Keep it short and quiet. Dogs Trust suggests a familiar, short, quiet route without too many people, dogs or traffic, and checking with your vet how much exercise your puppy should get.
• Let your puppy sniff. Dogs Trust says to let your puppy stop, sniff and take in the world at their own pace, and not to rush them on.
• Keep the leash on. Even if you have started recall, Dogs Trust says to keep your puppy on leash for the first few walks.

Build up the length of walks and the number of new places slowly. If your puppy starts to pull as they get bolder, see how to stop a dog pulling on the leash. Dogs Trust says to save a long line for later, once your puppy is used to the regular leash, and to clip it to a harness, not a collar; see how to use a long line for dog training.

Collar or harness for a puppy?

Both can work; Dogs Trust suggests a harness for walks, with the collar and tag still on. Battersea says a good harness should avoid pressure on the neck and allow free shoulder movement, and suggests trying over-the-head, step-in or clip-around styles to see what your puppy prefers. Introduce a harness the same way as the collar, one small step at a time. Our dog leash, harness and carrier buying guide compares the options.

When to get help

Battersea says to pause and speak to your vet or a behaviorist if you see signs of pain or fear, and to contact a behaviorist if fear, frustration or discomfort goes on or progress stalls. Never pull, drag or punish a puppy into wearing a collar or walking on a leash.

FAQ

When should a puppy start wearing a collar?

Battersea says you can start collar training as soon as your puppy comes home. Use short sessions and build up wearing time slowly, checking the fit often as your puppy grows.

When can I take my puppy for a walk?

Dogs Trust says usually one to two weeks after your puppy has finished their vaccination course, but the timing varies by vaccine, so ask your vet. Until then, practice with the collar and leash at home.

Why does my puppy bite the leash?

Dogs Trust says leash biting is common and can come from excitement, frustration or boredom. Do not tug back. Offer a toy before you clip the leash on, and reward walking with a loose leash.