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To get your dog walking on a leash you first need a collar and a leash. Sounds like an obvious step, but there are many different types out there. Initially, I prefer a light flat collar and a light leash for a young pup. We can move onto other forms of collar later if required.
Introducing a puppy to walking on a leash
by
Martin Deeley
Patience
is key
The one thing I find about training dogs is that there are no hard and fast rules. Some dogs take to a collar and leash easily and some do not. Some owners have to put their dogs on a leash the moment they get them—especially if they live in apartments and there are leash laws—and some may not put their dog on a leash for a few months.
The one thing I find about training dogs is that there are no hard and fast rules. Some dogs take to a collar and leash easily and some do not. Some owners have to put their dogs on a leash the moment they get them—especially if they live in apartments and there are leash laws—and some may not put their dog on a leash for a few months.
I have
worked with many different dogs and owners over the years, and the most
important features of introducing a leash is patience, calmness, confidence,
taking it slowly (at the pace and temperament of the dog) and using ways to
overcome any fears or concerns by the dog.
To get your dog walking on a leash you first need a collar and a leash. Sounds like an obvious step, but there are many different types out there. Initially, I prefer a light flat collar and a light leash for a young pup. We can move onto other forms of collar later if required.
Take
baby steps
The first step is to get your dog familiar and accustomed to a collar. Try to avoid problems and situations where your pup could get concerned, fearful or even have a temper tantrum. Just attaching a collar and/or a leash can do this. So put the collar on when there are other things that will occupy his mind and he has to think about.
The first step is to get your dog familiar and accustomed to a collar. Try to avoid problems and situations where your pup could get concerned, fearful or even have a temper tantrum. Just attaching a collar and/or a leash can do this. So put the collar on when there are other things that will occupy his mind and he has to think about.
Attach
the collar when your pup is going outside to be in the yard with you or even in
the home when you are interacting with him. Put it on snug, but not so tight
that it is uncomfortable and irritating. In other words, he should forget about
it as you are getting his attention and interacting to take his mind off the
wearing of the collar.
Put it
on at mealtime or when you are doing some basic training. Very quickly he will
come to accept the feeling of the collar and leash—especially if it is related
to food—and you can then move to the next stage. One thing to look out for is
if he scratches at the collar. If he does this, gain his attention and
encourage him to simply follow you or get him to play with a toy so he forgets
the irritation.
Associate
the leash with playtime
With some dogs the moment you pick that leash up and he feels some tension he can go into his ‘I am a fish on the end of a hook’ antics. So, after attaching the leash let him run around dragging it. You should always be supervising this to avoid any possible tangling.
With some dogs the moment you pick that leash up and he feels some tension he can go into his ‘I am a fish on the end of a hook’ antics. So, after attaching the leash let him run around dragging it. You should always be supervising this to avoid any possible tangling.
It also
helps to have another dog around to engage in play while the leash is on. If
you have no other dog, then play with him or go through some fun training
routine, such as a small retrieve with a toy or sits and downs with a treat.
When he is doing this and looks comfortable, occasionally pick up the leash and
call him to you. Do it gently and encourage him to come up to you.
Treats
are great, but always make sure they are small morsels and not big treats that
he then spends time chewing.
Encourage
your puppy
When first holding the leash, do not attempt to get him to walk at heel yet. If he does that naturally, great, but if he doesn’t do not be tempted to yank on the leash to get him to do so. Do everything calmly and gently. Sometimes even just standing still or kneeling down while he figures out what is happening is a good idea.
When first holding the leash, do not attempt to get him to walk at heel yet. If he does that naturally, great, but if he doesn’t do not be tempted to yank on the leash to get him to do so. Do everything calmly and gently. Sometimes even just standing still or kneeling down while he figures out what is happening is a good idea.
Give him
time to process all this information regarding what the leash is and does. Let
him gain confidence in you, and then in the leash and himself. You can even use
a treat held in your hand down by your side at his head level to get him
walking alongside you on the leash, and then occasionally make him stop and sit
for the treat.
Some
dogs can sit and decide not to move. In this instance, walk a few steps away,
go down on one knee and encourage him to come to you using a treat. Then set
off walking again. For many pups with concerns, and even those without them,
the collar and leash can be a little restricting and can create resistance in
your dog. Some dogs may walk alongside you and not leave you off leash, but
when they have a leash on they behave differently.
Take
your time and keep your cool, but be persistent in what you do to achieve the
results you want. Even if the results are only a small step towards what you
wish to achieve, in time, the small steps become the big ones you seek. Very
quickly you will find your dog accepting the leash and eventually he will come
to walk nicely on it as well.
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