LEASH
TRAINING
Start
in an Enclosed Area
Rather
than clipping on the dog's leash and heading out the door, give the dog time to
get used to his leash. Start off indoors or in a fenced in yard. Clip the leash
on the dog's collar and let him go. Allow him to drag the leash around behind
him and get used to having it attached to his collar.
Don't
Let Him Chew
Many
dogs view the leash as just another toy. Don't let your dog get into the habit
of chewing on the leash. Keep some of his favorite toys on hand to distract him.
Try throwing a ball for a game of fetch. This will get him used to the feel of
the leash, but keep him from treating it like one of his toys. If you just can't
seem to distract him from chewing on the leash, you may want to try putting
Bitter Apple on it.
Pick
Up the Leash
Once
the dog is comfortable having the leash attached to his collar, it's time for
you to pick up the leash. Stay in the enclosed area, and simply hold the leash.
You can call your dog to you, and give him some treats while you hold the leash.
This isn't a lesson in walking on the leash, simply a way to get the dog used to
having you hold the other end of the leash. If the dog or puppy is pulling or
struggling on the end of the leash, try to distract him or follow
him.
Work
on Loose Leash Walking
As
soon as your dog is comfortable with having you hold the other end of his leash,
you're ready to teach him to walk on a loose leash. It's important that you
start this as soon as your dog's comfort level allows, so he doesn't get into
the habit of pulling on the end of his leash.
Give
the WALK Command
Start
out on your walk with the dog at your side, give the command, WALK and begin
walking. 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.
Stop
and Go
When
your dog pulls at the end of the leash, stop immediately and do not budge.
Never allow your dog to move forward when he is pulling or lunging. This way,
you are teaching him that the only way for him to get to where he wants to go
is by leaving some slack in the leash.
As
soon as there is some slack in the leash, you can begin again. Give your dog the
command "WALK" and start moving forward.
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.
TRAINING
Start
in an Enclosed Area
Rather
than clipping on the dog's leash and heading out the door, give the dog time to
get used to his leash. Start off indoors or in a fenced in yard. Clip the leash
on the dog's collar and let him go. Allow him to drag the leash around behind
him and get used to having it attached to his collar.
Don't
Let Him Chew
Many
dogs view the leash as just another toy. Don't let your dog get into the habit
of chewing on the leash. Keep some of his favorite toys on hand to distract him.
Try throwing a ball for a game of fetch. This will get him used to the feel of
the leash, but keep him from treating it like one of his toys. If you just can't
seem to distract him from chewing on the leash, you may want to try putting
Bitter Apple on it.
Pick
Up the Leash
Once
the dog is comfortable having the leash attached to his collar, it's time for
you to pick up the leash. Stay in the enclosed area, and simply hold the leash.
You can call your dog to you, and give him some treats while you hold the leash.
This isn't a lesson in walking on the leash, simply a way to get the dog used to
having you hold the other end of the leash. If the dog or puppy is pulling or
struggling on the end of the leash, try to distract him or follow
him.
Work
on Loose Leash Walking
As
soon as your dog is comfortable with having you hold the other end of his leash,
you're ready to teach him to walk on a loose leash. It's important that you
start this as soon as your dog's comfort level allows, so he doesn't get into
the habit of pulling on the end of his leash.
Give
the WALK Command
Start
out on your walk with the dog at your side, give the command, WALK and begin
walking. 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.
Stop
and Go
When
your dog pulls at the end of the leash, stop immediately and do not budge.
Never allow your dog to move forward when he is pulling or lunging. This way,
you are teaching him that the only way for him to get to where he wants to go
is by leaving some slack in the leash.
As
soon as there is some slack in the leash, you can begin again. Give your dog the
command "WALK" and start moving forward.
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.
