When is your puppy old enough to start training to walk to heal? I want to teach her not to pull but I'm worried about starting too young when her neck is still tiny.
Thanks

The first time they're put on a lead is the best time then they never learn to pull at all. With kind gentle reward training, rewarding her when she is in the right place, no strain will be put on her neck and its better on her neck to be walking nicelly.

Ok that's good to know as she's just started using the lead and I'm sure it's normal for her to hate it and try to bite it because she's not used to having something restricting her. I will be gentle but firm from now then. Thank you

> Ok that's good to know as she's just started using the lead and I'm sure it's normal for her to hate it and try to bite it because she's not used to having something restricting her

perfectly normal, just don't force it. try clipping it on and taking it straight off, then treat. gradually build up to longer times with it on (still treating). don't take it off if shes going nutty, do when shes calm.

the idea is to establish an association of nice things with the lead. best of luck :)

You can start training to walk to heel in your garden without the lead on. That way she can't pull, and learns to watch you - and equally you learn to concentrate on her as well, turning and calling her to you when she gets too far from you so that she has to catch up again; the time when some people would pull on the lead to get the puppy back to the right position. If you make following you offlead a game, it'll be much easier for her to do the same on lead.

They all hate wearng a lead to begin with, often flapping about like a fish on a line. But the horror soon wears off if they're not pressurised to walk at first.

Sorry I have staffords so I dont know what its like to have heeling dogs :-p

Only kidding, as soon as their able is best like the rest have said! :-)

I agree with JJ when I have a puppy I used to do a lot of training off lead in the training school, you can hold the treat under the nose and walk saying heel or close .
If they lag behind put out your arm call the name as they run to you guide them into the heel position with your hand.

I teach a dog not to pull by holding a training lead in a loop and when the dog goes forward I release the loop and turn walking the other way calling them to 'close or 'heel' and treat, putting the lead back into a loop.
This way the dog starts to think where is she going and watching you rather than looking straight ahead and bombing down the road with the owner hanging onto the lead.
(your neighbours may think your bonkers but its a simple quick way of teaching a dog not to pull and has always worked for me.)