There are different ways you can ensure that your dog will adapt the leash easily. Many owners make the mistake of making a false start and then keep on yanking at the leash. However they will need to be patient with your dog when you are trying to incorporate a new habit to your dog. Keeping on yanking the leash from early on would not be helpful for your dog. They are unlikely to respect you and follow your commands.
Try teaching your dog to walk on heels from the very beginning. It is not a very good sign to get your dog do the tugging ahead thing from the very beginning. If you want him to adapt to the leash nicely then use the leash as a part of a rewarding work. Be friendly to him to make him understand that it is natural to follow the leash. If the dog pulls or tugs to the leash then it is time to understand that you need to be calm regardless of anything.
When you are calm, positive and firm, your dog will listen to you. Your dog will look forward to be well-behaved on the leash when you know how to be really firm and composed when you are taking him by the leash. If you have adopted an older dog who does not know how to take the lead on the leash then it is going to take you more time to get him to learn to follow on heels. You will have to be even more patient with him. But if you are cool and composed on repeated times when you take him by the leash, he will soon adapt the composure. Dogs are really great human emulators and they pick up human energy real fast.
Try to incubate the practice of getting him on leash while he is trying to be revolting. If you are not strict on the initial few days then his leash training could just be history. They will only get to the point when you are just firm in your direction. You will also have to understand that you cannot have the dog on leash while around the house.
If you cannot give him the freedom to roam around the house most of the time you will only hasten to break his spirit. Make leash a practice when you are out for a walk or during specific times of the day. Make the time quite short. Make this a periodic interval during the day and he will get the message clear. Never put him on leash in front of visitors from the very beginning. This is also not a good habit to start.
You will not be able to teach him with basic behavioral skills in this way. Also good dog trainers will train dogs to be off leash and on leash on walks and out door parks as well. A good training can get him to the habit of being on leash and be off when you are in a small park where you are allowed to have your dog roll in the grass, etc. A good call will certainly call him back in a really short while. This is the best of dog training on leash.