The 10 Best Leashes for Puppies
Find the perfect accessory for walks with your new little one.
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In This Article:
Best Overall Puppy Leash Best Rope Leash Best Budget Option Best Leather Puppy Leash Best Training Leash
When you’re searching for your first-ever leash for your pup, it’s not as simple as grabbing the first one you find at a pet store. Finding the right leash is so important, because you and your pup will be using it multiple times a day. They need to feel safe and comfortable in it, and you need to feel like you are in control and able to handle the leash with ease — especially when your puppy is training and learning how to use it.
The leash is a nonverbal way of speaking with your pup. You use it to them when they need to slow down, stay close, or go explore a little further afield. Luckily for us, we live in a time where there are so many leash options out there beyond a piece of rope. As a potentially new dog parent, you might not have even known that some of these types of leashes existed, but don’t worry — we’ll walk you through them.
We did a lot of research to find the top-rated leashes for your pup. As pet parents ourselves, we thought about what someone with a puppy would want and picked well-reviewed leashes from trusted brands that had different bells and whistles.
How much do you spend on your pet per year?
Best overall puppy leash
The Max and Neo Double Dog Leash is our winning pick because it has just about everything you need. It’s got two handles, which is a big bonus for training puppies to walk, as well as double-sided reflective stitching for nighttime walks and a D-ring clip to add poop bags to the leash. The handles are also padded with neoprene, an excellent feature for pet parents who are dealing with dogs who pull.
We like that it has all of these features, but our favorite is the two handles. This will give new pet parents peace of mind that they can easily pull their dog closer, especially in crowded spaces. However, reviewers say that the actual leash material, outside of the handle, is rough. And if you’re tall, you might have to stoop down to use the closer handle. This isn’t ideal if you need to take control of your pup, so keep that in mind.
It’s recommended for all puppies, but it’s extra beneficial for those who live in crowded areas and might require the shorter part of the leash.
Best rope leash
This heavy-duty leash is made out of .5-inch rock-climbing rope. The handle is padded with foam but remains intuitive and easy to hold. The leash also features an O clip for poop bags. There’s also a 360-degree swivel clasp that ensures your pup won’t twist or tangle their leash when they’re adventuring (or learning how to use it). It’s available in multiple diameters and sizes. Go by your pet’s weight (either zero to 20 pounds or 20 to 120 pounds) and your desired diameter to pick the best leash for you.
Rope leashes can really burn your hands, so we love the foam handle that’s designed to easily grasp between your fingers. The swivel feature is also great for chaotic puppies. We wish that this leash also came in a 10-foot size. Some reviewers say that the foam rips easily.
This leash is recommended for medium- to large-sized dogs.
Best budget option
This leash might not look as special or have as many bells and whistles as other options on this list, but hey, sometimes simple is better. PetSafe has been making pet products since 1991, so they’re a brand that’s been making high-quality leashes for more than 30 years. This leash is made out of nylon, and it’s .75 inches thick and six feet long. It has an easy hook that allows you to quickly attach or detach the leash to collars or harnesses.
We like that reviewers say that this leash lasts for years and that the leash has a swivel clip, which is key for puppies who like to get tangled. It’s sturdy for an affordable leash and easy to hold onto. We wish there was a clip for poop bags.
This leash is recommended for small- to medium-sized dogs.
Best leather puppy leash
For pet parents who want a leash that looks a little more sophisticated, we recommend checking out this leather number from Frisco (by Chewy). Made from latigo leather, the material becomes softer with each use. It is weather-resistant, so this leash can handle the outdoor elements. It’s available in two different sizes as well as black and brown leather options.
We like how stylish and durable reviewers say that this leash is, especially for the price. Because the leash is leather, it’s not chew-resistant, so pet parents should keep it out of reach from those sharp puppy teeth when not in use.
It’s recommended for all pups — reviewers describe this leash as a bit of a literally heavy lift, so it might be better for medium-to-large puppies.
Best training leash
When it comes to training, every pet parent should have a longer leash so they can teach their pup recall and obedience outside of the house. Guardian Gear offers multiple sizes, including 15, 20, 30, and 50 feet. These leashes are made out of cotton web and are purported to be extra durable. The swivel bolt on the leash will keep the leash from twisting and making your hand uncomfortable.
We like that this leash is lightweight and comes in some many different length options, making it an ideal training leash. We don’t like that some reviewers said that it gave them rope burn.
It’s recommended for training large puppies and dogs.
Other notable recommendations
This versatile and waterproof leash from Fable allows you to walk hands-free with your pup and have the leash clip around your waist like a belt. Or you can also wear the leash across your shoulder or have it wrapped around your wrist (do what is safest and what your pup ’s trainer recommends). It can be worn as a traditional leash or be transformed into a slip-on collar. The Fable leash is made out of industrial-strength brushed cord and features aluminum hardware. It comes in two sizes: extra-small/small and medium/large.
We like that you’re able to adjust the leash to best suit your needs — because sometimes carrying a dog leash in one hand and an umbrella (or phone/keys/wallet) in another can feel precarious. However, some reviewers say the leash clip can be fragile and that they’ve had to replace the leash entirely after a few years.
It’s recommended for all dogs, but if your puppy is a big puller, you might want to opt for a thicker leash.
If your new puppy is robbing you of your pride you by dragging you around the neighborhood, instead of allowing your arm to be pulled out of its socket, we recommend checking out this leash from Joytale. It’s a bungee-style reflective leash with shock-absorbing coils. The springs in the middle absorb some of the shock of your pup suddenly pulling forward. The leash has two different handles for when you want your pup to walk more closely to you. It also has a frog clip that is easy to clip and unclip quickly.
We love that this bungee leash helps dog parents reign in larger pups — even a 140-pound-Mastiff. Some reviewers say that they wish the traffic grip (that you can hold through busy crosswalks and intersections) was a little longer.
Medium- to large-sized dogs who are strong pullers and jumpers.
The Wild One Dog leash, which you’ve probably seen all over social media, is made out of lex-poly-coated nylon. Basically, it feels like rubber. You can adjust the length of this leash or turn it into a tandem leash by changing the snap hooks. It’s slightly shorter than your average leash, topping out at 5.5 ft. This is better for dogs who want to or need to stick closer to their human. It also comes in plenty of fun colors, and you can pair your leash with a matching collar and poop bag holder.
We like that this leash is adjustable and all-weather. It’s the easiest leash to clean on this list. We don’t like that the sizing is so limited. Some reviewers say that the rubber is easily chewable, so this wouldn’t be ideal for teething pups learning how to walk on a leash.
The standard size leash is recommended for dogs up to 80 pounds.
Pro pet-parent tip: Remember to check Wild One’s sales — for example, select styles and sizes of this leash are 40 percent off right now, but availability varies. Don’t snooze on this one!
This colorful climbing rope leash from The Foggy Dog is a bit on the pricier end of the spectrum but it’s made out of nylon and features individually sewn splices that makes it heavy-duty. The leash is weather-resistant and lightweight, unlike some other leashes from the brand, reviewers say. Despite being made of nylon, the rope is relatively soft on the hands. It features an O ring for poop bags and a swivel-clip for puppies who like to twist their leashes.
We like that this is a durable, stylish leash that satisfies both 20- and 80-pound pups. Some reviewers say the ends of the leash can fray over time and that the colors don’t always match what’s online.
This leash is only five feet long, so we recommend it for puppies who need to walk closer to their person.
The Chai’s Choice dog leash features five different handles, all down the length of the leash. All of these handhold options make for an easy walking grip. The leash is a total of 4.5 feet long, making it one of the shortest leashes on this list. It’s made out of canvas and the top handle of the leash is wrapped in neoprene for human comfort. This leash also features 3M reflective stitching for nighttime strolls.
We like that there are so many handles, which makes this an ideal training leash. Some reviewers say the carabiner, which connects the leash to the collar, is hard to open and requires two hands.
A small-, medium-, or large-sized puppy that requires some more leash handles to hold.
Features to to look for in a puppy leash
For a puppy leash, you should look for multiple handles (ideally padded), reflective stitching, durable material (like nylon), and a secure swivel leash-to-collar hook attachment. Keep in mind that your puppy is learning how to use this leash, so they’re going to be weaving and pulling all over the place.
Different types of puppy leashes to know about
Standard
This is your classic clip-on leash that has a loop handle at the other end. It’s usually made out of nylon, cotton, or leather, and is typically six feet long. Every dog parent should have one.
Long leash
This leash can be anywhere from 10 to 50 feet. It’s ultimately designed to let your pup roam, but it’s crucial to have one when you’re doing recall training with your puppy. Just be sure to use it safely, as it is easy for you or your dog to trip over or get tangled in an extended leash like this.
Hands-free
The hands-free leash clips around your waist or over your shoulder. This leash isn’t recommended for a very young puppy but can likely be converted to the standard leash. This should not be used until your puppy behaves well on a leash.
Retractable
The leash can be let out or pulled in depending on a push of a button. We do not recommend this type of leash for puppies or dogs in general, because with its design, pet parents have less control, and it can be difficult to get the leash to retract when a dog is pulling. It can also cause injuries to the hands for this reason.
Communication
A communication leash is a leash that has words written on the side of the leash, such as “deaf,” “blind,” “needs space,” “nervous,” or “in training.” This lets people know not to approach your puppy.
Safety considerations when choosing a puppy leash
Pick a leash that is safest for you and your pup. You should select one that feels comfortable in your hand and is easy to keep a firm grip on. If your puppy pulls, is showing signs of reactive behavior, or lives in a city where there’s a lot of traffic, you should opt for a leash that has multiple grips, allowing you to pull them close to you for safety. When you’re training a puppy, we recommend pairing your leash with a harness. Puppies can hurt themselves by pulling on a leash.
Bottom line
Ultimately, you should keep your puppy’s breed, size, and personality in mind when choosing a leash in tandem with what you feel comfortable with. When in doubt, go for the classic standard leash, see how they do with it, and then get a more specialized leash if you think they would benefit from it.
Alicia Kort
Alicia Kort is a writer and editor living in Brooklyn. Her work has appeared in Esquire, InStyle, Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, Parade Home & Garden, Newsweek, Interview, Brooklyn magazine, and more. In her free time, she runs, reads, and spends time with her dog-nieces, Maya and Lady, and her cat-niece, Pepper. In her work, she focuses on pet behavior, pet-friendly spaces, and the lifestyle commerce space.