How to Train Your Dog to Pick up His Leash

Teach your dog the word "leash" as a command. As you are walking your dog on the leash, let him sniff it often and use the word "leash". Each time you put it on him, use the word "leash".

Train your dog to pick up the leash by placing it in or near his mouth while walking and during times you are not walking. Each time you show him the leash and let him mouth it, use the ‘leash’ command. Once he is successful at holding it in his mouth, say "pick up leash." This will be the new command to put it in his mouth.

Each time he puts the leash in his mouth or at least mouths it after using the command, give him a treat. Continue to practice this command several times a day for a few days.

Once your dog knows the word "leash" and the command to pick it up, take him for a walk on his leash. Add some slack in the leash so he has room to put it in his mouth.

While walking together, use the command to pick up the leash and place the leash in your dog’s mouth. Be sure to treat him for a job well done.

As soon as he is used to you putting the leash in his mouth, begin to use the command, expecting him to pick it up himself. You may need to control the slack at first so it’s not directly on the ground.

Continue to practice this each time you go for walks together. Once your dog had this down, he will be able to walk himself with the leash in his mouth, and he should be able to pick up his leash in an effort to bring it to you before walks.

While not on a walk, introduce the leash to your dog and let him mouth it. Try not to let him chew on, it as the integrity of the leash may be compromised with chewing. Use the word "leash" while introducing it to him.

Take your dog for a walk and use the word "leash" as you let him sniff and mouth the leash. Stop now and then to allow your dog to mouth the leash.

Once he knows the word leash, use the ‘take it’ command to have your dog take the leash from you. Once he mouths it, let go so it is in his mouth.

Be sure to give your dog a treat for a job well done. He will probably drop the leash for the treat, so this is an opportunity to repeat the ‘take it’ command again.

Begin to use the ‘take it’ command with your dog when he is off leash. This works well inside your house. Place the leash in different areas of the house. Show it to your dog and use the ‘take it’ command. He should pick it up and take it in his mouth.

Always reward your dog with treats and verbal praise when he does well.

If you keep your leash in one location, you can train your dog to take the leash into his mouth to pick it up when he is ready for a walk.

Make ‘pick it up’ your command from the start. As soon as you introduce the leash to your dog, say the command ‘pick it up.’

As you use the command to 'pick it up', place it in your dog’s mouth.

Practice this new command several times a day with your dog for about a week. You can put the leash on your dog for a walk and use the command to pick it up. Also, start with the command before placing the leash on the dog. Each time he puts the leash in his mouth, give him a reward.

Once he knows how to pick up the leash, ask him to pick it up before you head out for a walk. Be sure to give him a treat once he has picked up the leash. This might mean he’ll let go of the leash, but at this point, you can take it from him and head out for a walk.

While you and your dog walk together, use the ‘pick it up’ command to have your dog pick up the leash while walking. You can even turn this into a fun trick and have your dog walk himself.