One of the great joys of owning a dog is being able to go for a walk. A dog that is well leash trained makes a walk relaxing and enjoyable but if your dog is not leash trained that same walk becomes an exercise in annoyance and it can even be dangerous.
Puppies need to start training for the leash when they are very young. If you start when they are young they will learn it fast and it will be much easier. To begin training your puppy, make sure you begin by getting him used to the collar. He will hate it at first and he might whine and complain but make sure that you make him wear it until he gets used to it. The only time you really should take it off is when you crate him so there will not be any mishaps.
Soon your puppy will be used to the collar and it will be time to do the same thing with the leash. Attach the leash and let him get used to it by dragging it around. Be sure that someone is supervising him though as he could cause some chaos if he gets tangled up. Soon you can pick up the leash and start walking around the house. It is easier to start where he is comfortable so even though it seems strange to walk your puppy in the house it is still the best place to start.
When he is comfortable in the house, you can take him out to the yard. Again you are staying where he is comfortable. As you are walking make sure that you boost the behaviors you want and dissuade the behaviors you do not want.
If you puppy is pulling at the leash, just stop walking. Stand still. He may still pull for a bit but if you stop every time he pulls he will soon learn not to do that. Make sure that you are talking to him and issuing him commands, this is a great time for communication.
Another technique you can use when he starts to pull is to quickly turn around and walk the other way. He will learn that he should pay attention. If he starts pulling again repeat either of these behaviors and soon he will learn that pulling is not admissible.
Occasionally a puppy will just stop walking himself. If your puppy stops and will not come, you can encourage him with a treat. Put the treat at your feet and make him come to it. Don't call him to it. Soon he will learn that he should not stop when you are taking a walk.
It doesn't take very long to properly leash train a puppy and it is really nice when they walk obediently beside you with a slack leash. This is the behavior you want to reinforce so make sure that he gets plenty of praise and attention when he starts doing this well. Stop all bad behavior early on and you will soon be enjoying walks with your dog for a long time to come. - 32404
Puppies need to start training for the leash when they are very young. If you start when they are young they will learn it fast and it will be much easier. To begin training your puppy, make sure you begin by getting him used to the collar. He will hate it at first and he might whine and complain but make sure that you make him wear it until he gets used to it. The only time you really should take it off is when you crate him so there will not be any mishaps.
Soon your puppy will be used to the collar and it will be time to do the same thing with the leash. Attach the leash and let him get used to it by dragging it around. Be sure that someone is supervising him though as he could cause some chaos if he gets tangled up. Soon you can pick up the leash and start walking around the house. It is easier to start where he is comfortable so even though it seems strange to walk your puppy in the house it is still the best place to start.
When he is comfortable in the house, you can take him out to the yard. Again you are staying where he is comfortable. As you are walking make sure that you boost the behaviors you want and dissuade the behaviors you do not want.
If you puppy is pulling at the leash, just stop walking. Stand still. He may still pull for a bit but if you stop every time he pulls he will soon learn not to do that. Make sure that you are talking to him and issuing him commands, this is a great time for communication.
Another technique you can use when he starts to pull is to quickly turn around and walk the other way. He will learn that he should pay attention. If he starts pulling again repeat either of these behaviors and soon he will learn that pulling is not admissible.
Occasionally a puppy will just stop walking himself. If your puppy stops and will not come, you can encourage him with a treat. Put the treat at your feet and make him come to it. Don't call him to it. Soon he will learn that he should not stop when you are taking a walk.
It doesn't take very long to properly leash train a puppy and it is really nice when they walk obediently beside you with a slack leash. This is the behavior you want to reinforce so make sure that he gets plenty of praise and attention when he starts doing this well. Stop all bad behavior early on and you will soon be enjoying walks with your dog for a long time to come. - 32404
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