Leash walking
How do I teach my dog to walk calmly beside a pushchair or stroller?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Introduce the pushchair empty and stationary first, rewarding calm curiosity, then practice short, slow walks beside it in a quiet space before adding the noise and movement of wheels on a real route. Attach the leash to your body or a waist belt rather than the pushchair handle itself, since even a well trained dog can pull unpredictably and destabilize a pushchair with a child in it. Most dogs need 1 to 2 weeks of short, structured sessions before walking confidently and calmly alongside one.
Building familiarity before the first real walk
Let your dog sniff and investigate a stationary, empty pushchair at home over a few short sessions, rewarding calm interest, before ever expecting it to walk politely beside a moving one on the pavement.
Keeping the leash off the pushchair itself
A hands free leash clipped to a waist belt, rather than the pushchair handle, keeps a sudden pull from destabilizing the pushchair and lets you use your hands to steer and brake as needed.
Key takeaways
- Introduce a stationary, empty pushchair before expecting calm behavior around a moving one.
- Never attach the leash directly to the pushchair handle, use a waist belt instead.
- Expect 1 to 2 weeks of short practice sessions before walks together feel reliable.