How To Train A Puppy To Walk On A Leash – Because the dog is tied to us by a leash and goes where we go, when we want to go, it doesn’t do it by nature; it must be taught. And leash skills are among the most important things you’ll teach – walking together is a big part of a healthy, happy relationship with a dog.
We’ve all seen (and probably been) people being dragged down the street by their canine friend. It is not a pleasant way to go, and if it happens regularly, it can create an unhealthy transition in your relationship, on the streets or at home.
How To Train A Puppy To Walk On A Leash
The most important part of teaching your puppy to walk on a leash is creating a bond with you. You want your dog to think that being close to you is safer and more pleasant than anything else, so he will choose to stay close to you while walking on a leash.
Leash Train Your Puppy: Start Early, Use A Harness For Walks
Here are some steps you can take with your puppy towards a happy walking life together.
For puppies under four or five months of age, it’s best to start with a properly fitted harness that has an attachment point on the back that doesn’t restrict their natural movement.
When your pup is older and you’re ready to start “formal” training, with your dog running around while walking down the street, you may want to consider switching to a collar or halter. This way your child has not yet learned to pull the collar, making walking or heel training on a loose leash much easier.
You will also need 6 light leather, biothane or nylon leashes that are comfortable to hold in your hand. Avoid retractable cords. They can lead to leash burning at people and generally teach your dog to pull and lean away from you, which is the opposite of what you want when teaching to walk on a leash.
Ways To Train Puppies
You can start giving leash lessons as soon as you bring your puppy home. Ideally, the puppies will stay with their mother for eight to 12 weeks, so you will start around this time, but you can introduce the basics earlier. Don’t wait, this training period can be the best time to chat and teach good habits.
Keep in mind that puppies under four to five months of age will not have complete concentration or self-control (both are needed to walk on an open leash), so for small children, start slowly and in controlled areas, practice with the child. collar and leash, and introduce the idea of following you everywhere.
Introduce the Harness to Your Puppy: Show your puppy the harness inside the house, away from distractions, and let him have a good time while you praise him and give him treats. You want to make sure that your pup forms a good relationship with this piece of equipment, rather than seeing it as something to scratch or resist.
Put the harness on your pup: First, put the harness on briefly while giving treats and praise, then remove the harness.
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After a few repetitions, if your pup is comfortable in the harness, start by slowly increasing the time he wears it. The best way to do this is to put a harness on your pup and then play with toys or throw treats for your pup to chase.
Tip: Practice putting the harness on before mealtime and training time (which includes handling) so your dog can start to associate it with good things and look forward to it.
Introduce the leash: First, after holding the leash, let your puppy move around by pulling it (watch it to avoid any obstacles). Also, you can distract them with toys so that the leash is not a focus point. Like a collar, you want to connect the leash with good things, rather than your pup starting to pull or bite on it when it’s attached.
After your dog is comfortable with the harness and leash, you are ready to start walking together.
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Start indoors, in an area where distractions are limited, such as your living room or hallway. You want to help your pup understand that getting close to you and walking with you will be very rewarding instead of letting him get too frustrated by repeatedly reaching for the end of the leash.
Attach the leash, show your pup what you have, and give him a treat to be near you. Then, take small steps away from your puppy. When he comes to you, reward him with a treat. It can be helpful to introduce a marking word or sound – as soon as your puppy turns to you, mark with the name and reward with a treat.
The main goal at this stage is to teach your dog that staying close to you while walking is a great option! As you move, add a little pressure on the rope towards you, using body language that shows you have something good for them if they come to you. If you use markers (recommended), you need to release the pull on the leash and mark when the dog comes to you to get the reward (it comes toward you taking the tension off the leash and you get the reward marker). Make sure your puppy comes to you for a treat instead of to him.
Repeat the step, treat/praise process at this point of distraction until your pup takes a few steps with you. Make sure your puppy doesn’t jump up to get the treat – give him the treat when he’s up.
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As your pup gets used to walking near you, drop the treat in his nose and take a few steps forward. As they follow you, tag them by name and reward them with a treat. If they start to drag or wander, bring them back to your side and start again.
After you get used to the house and reach the point where your pup follows you faithfully on the leash, go to new places of entertainment. This principle of “verification” applies to many types of clothing. If you teach your dog how to behave in a controlled environment, that doesn’t mean he will do it reliably in other environments. Move them to an area that is still controlled but has more distractions, such as a garden, and practice them until they are confident in that area.
Tip: If your puppy goes potty in the garden, use potty break trips to practice walking skills (it’s a double win, allowing you to work on more practice and training your dog to walk). everywhere).
Try to maintain a level of engagement as you begin to increase the distractions you are exposed to. The key is to make yourself, and walk alongside you, more interesting than distractions.
Teaching Your Puppy To Walk On Leash
Don’t climb too fast; that is, don’t go straight from the back yard to a busy street during rush hour. Try to increase the distraction level a little by starting by walking on a quiet street first, maybe early in the morning, then move on to busy areas and times. Some dog owners find it helpful to use an “in-between” area outside, such as a yard or parking lot, before jumping into a busy street.
Praise and treat whenever your dog is next to you or gives you a look to enter. As they work better with you, reduce the frequency of treatments. Try to change the pace and directions and have your puppy stay by your side.
Some puppies will take the leash with little resistance; for others it may take longer. Remember that young chicks have limited concentration. Don’t push them too fast, try to stay within the window during which they will happily roam without fighting the leash.
Depending on what’s going on around you, it may be easier or safer to have your dog on one side or the other, but, in general, you don’t want your dog going back and forth. The left side is traditionally recommended (and the side to use if you ever plan on participating in dog sports), but either side will do as long as you stick to it. You can teach your dog to stay on one side by always holding your dog in the direction you want him to go. This means that your dog will quickly start going in that direction to look for a treat/reward. If your dog goes in a different direction or starts pulling towards something, just get his attention with a treat – kick him in the direction you want him to go, then praise and feed him.
How To Teach A Puppy To Walk On Leash
It is natural for puppies to want to explore their world, which means they will pull at the end of the leash trying to find something or somewhere. It’s important not to reward this behavior by withdrawing or letting them work their way to where they want to be. Remember that moving forward is just a reward for shooting.
The first step to curbing the pull is to not move forward. When they