The first thing you are going to want to do to begin training your puppy for a leash is to familiarize them with their new collar.
There are many different types of collars, and you want to find one which is simple and light weight.
This can be leather or nylon.
Put the collar around the puppy's neck and make sure it is not too tight.
A good rule of thumb is to be able to fit two to three fingers between the puppy's neck and the collar.
Be ready for your puppy to scratch and try to work the collar off their neck until they get used to it.
Make sure you don't take it off while they are trying to do this.
Only take the collar off when they have stopped.
If you take it off when they are fighting it, you will actually make your puppy think you are encouraging them to do this.
From that point on, they will think they can fight and have it removed if they don't want to wear it.
It won't take your puppy too long to get used their new collar, but just like putting on a new accessory for a person, it will probably feel strange for a while.
Only remove the collar after training-when your puppy is going into their crate or possibly even outside unsupervised (although most puppies should not be unsupervised in a yard until they are much older).
Before you even think about attaching the leash to your puppy, you want to condition them to come to you and move with you.
Only after they are used to this do you attach the leash.
When you do put the leash on them, you want them to get used to this as soon as possible.
A good technique to start with is to attach the leash to them while they are eating or playing.
This way they can get used to it being there.
Again, it should be made of light weight nylon or leather.
As with the collar, don't remove it if they are fighting to get it off of them.
Only remove it when they have stopped this behavior.
You also want to start playing with your puppy or use some kind of distraction if they start to bite or continue to appear bothered by their new leash.
You can also apply some bitter apple spray to the leash itself if they continue to bite and chew on it.
Now that your puppy is used to their new leash, it's time to pick up the other end and start working with them.
Make sure these leash training sessions are kept short and fun.
Your puppy will probably want to follow you around everywhere you go at this point.
You can use this to your advantage by walking around the house with the leash in hand and your puppy walking next to you.
As your puppy walks around with you on a loose leash, make sure you give them lots of praise and some treats.
The second they start to strain and pull on the leash, stop or turn and go the other way.
Don't yank them back.
Just call them back to you, and give them lots of praise and a treat when they obey.
Don't ever continue to walk when your puppy is pulling on the leash as this rewards bad behavior and creates bad habits.
Your puppy has to learn that when they pull and strain on the leash, they get nowhere.
If they want to continue walking, it has to be by your side, on a loose leash.
The rules are still the same if they sit down while walking with you.
Don't yank them over to you.
Just call and reward them with a treat when they finally come to you.
Then you can continue with the walk.
Using these techniques will help you get off to a good start with leash training your puppy.
It shouldn't take them too long to catch on to this.
Always remember that consistency is the key to training.