When to start with leash?

[Dawn and Molly]

We just brought Molly home this weekend and she is 8 weeks today.  We haven't really done any leash training yet.  I am thinking I should start now with some practice in the house/back yard?  She isn't used to one at all.  Just looking for advice if this would be the best time to start.  Thanks!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I don't know if you need to begin training per se, but you can take her potty on-leash, let her wear the leash in the house (just make sure she doesn't get it caught on anything.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

We used the leash right away since we have no fence and they can run pretty fast even when they are little. :D

I didn't start training right away though. But, following me with the leash on around the yard and walking to the mail box.
Also, since we live in the country with an unfenced yard, I bought a 30' training lead so that they could run around the yard and if need be, I can actually stop them.

It has worked really well for Gracie as she stays in the yard when we are out there. Plus, we work on recall all of the time. Jade is doing well too.

I don't think I formally started training on the leash until Gracie was about 4 months as that is when she started pulling instead of just walking a little ahead of me.

[Dawn and Molly]

Thanks for the advice.  We have only had her on a leash once when we went to the vet and it didn't go so well.  I will start with just doing some practice with her wearing one around the house/yard.  I am learning that everything done with a puppy should involve consistency and patience.  It reminds me of my days when my kids were toddlers :)   We really just love her so much!  

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Treat trying works well too. There are some videos on you tube.

[Marybeth & Yankee]

I started our Yankee on the leash as soon as we picked him up, of course he was 11 weeks old when we brought him home and I think those extra few weeks of age has made him easier to train. I began walking him on leash in our cul de sac, just made several trips around and brought him in, did this several times a day. He always carried a portion of the leash in his mouth and pranced forward. Remember if your pup begins pulling, stop and turn other way and tell pup "come, and their name." That method helped tremendously. He is 16 weeks now and walks great on the leash.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I remember the first time I put a leash on Charlie - he was 9 weeks old and out in the yard.  It was a very light 1/2 inch leash that was given to us by the breeder along with a same width puppy collar made by Lupine.  He did not like it at all and just laid down and did not want to even walk around the yard.  So I decided not to push it, and at about 11 weeks, we started again. It did not take him long to get used to a collar and leash.  Your puppy is super cute Dawn.  IMO 8 weeks is too soon start anything much other than potty training and getting them use to their name.  I just looked back at puppy videos and Charlie was retrieving a stuff toy at 3 months old.  I guess that is why he is a totally addicted to fetching balls. LOL  You are going to have so much fun training your little girl.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

One thing with a collar and leash at this young age is that you are letting them do the leading. Going out to potty, walking the yard, etc. if I hadn't of used the leash, I would have lost a puppy in the middle of the freezing night since both times I decided to get a puppy in the middle of winter with no fenced in yard.