How to leash train a puppy, you are proud to walk with your little puppy equipped with all the equipment you have offered! But these walks represent a new adventure for him, as for you, and can become a real nightmare if your puppy does not obey and constantly pulls on his leash.
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How to leash train a puppy:
Do you have the right equipment? So, let’s go! Like any learning with a dog, you will have to “work” with him. Small 10-minute sessions repeated several times a day are preferable to a long session: puppies do not have the same concentration capacity as an adult dog.
Easy 14 steps for how to train a puppy:
It is recommended to start learning if possible after a walk in the country or after your young puppy has made a great effort: when your puppy has spent, he will be more receptive to the lesson. In addition, choose a place less frequented, so that it is attentive and not deconcentrated by all the external stimuli (children who play, people who want to come to caress him, many noises, dogs who wander beside ….). For dogs that are very reactive to their environment, it is perfectly possible to accustom them to walk on a leash first at home, indoors, or in a closed garden, before taking them out to places where they will be confronted with more stimulation.
Put it on a leash, leaving the leash floating, not tense. So, every time he pulls too much, you can give a quick tap on the leash (short pull light and light) to bring him back to you, saying (in a firm tone) “foot”.
If your dog has too much tendency to pull forward or sideways, one technique is to change direction: if your dog pulls ahead, turn around; if he pulls to the right, go to the left and vice versa.
Little by little, he will understand that if he moves slowly and does not pull on the leash, there is no traction on the leash, which is much more pleasant for him! He will learn that walking on a leash, it is not so unpleasant when he follows you without shooting!
If he does not want to move forward or really pulls back, you can use treats at the start to attract him: present him the treats and as soon as he starts to move forward, move in the same way, saying “at the foot, it’s all right, “and giving him regular treats as soon as he obeys. Gradually, you can reduce treats for the benefit of verbal rewards
It is also important to teach the puppy to always walk on the same side from his master, to avoid it changing without stopping sideways, and wrap the leash around his master.
In any case, it is very important, every time your puppy obeys, to congratulate him well: alternate candies, caresses and verbal rewards! Systematically combine these rewards with the same “foot” order. Your puppy will gradually associate this order with walking on a leash at your side. These rewards are a positive reinforcement, and will allow the puppy to associate learning the leash with something nice. The ballads on a leash will then be a real moment of pleasure for your dog, signs of complicity with his master.
Conversely, it is important not to shoot a puppy who does not want to go on a leash, and not to punish him, because he will then associate the leash with something unpleasant: all this constitutes negative reinforcement (punishments ). Maybe he will end up walking on a leash, but he will do so for fear of reprimand and not for pleasure.
Little by little, you will be able to increase the difficulties by walking in places more and more frequented, noisy …
Some dogs are too receptive to all around them. If your puppy can not concentrate for more than a few minutes and seems very active, do not hesitate to talk to your veterinarian. He will be able to determine if he has a behavioral disorder that makes him hyperactive and hypersensitive. Acting early will solve the problem faster.
Leash training:
Your puppy will quickly understand that he must walk without firing. However, if you do not walk on a leash for several months, he may lose this learning. Thus, it is important to reinforce it by continuing to walk along with it very regularly, even if you have the opportunity to let go.
Then you have to teach him the reminder, so you can leave him free as soon as possible and resume on a leash as soon as necessary.
You can also teach him how to walk without a leash, as soon as he knows perfectly how to walk on a leash and how to call back.
Learning to walk on a leash is therefore essential and the pillar of all other learning outdoors! Remember that the best method to use is gentle education.
When to start leash training a puppy?
Your little puppy is still very young, and it is not easy to calm him down and have his full attention outside. It is normal for him to shoot and be excited during the walk because all this is new to him and it is a real pleasure to discover life outside. However, he must absolutely understand that he must not pull on his leash and teach him to walk at a young age because, according to his weight as an adult, walks may become impossible!
Indeed, it is fundamental to proceed with this learning as soon as possible. The puppy is perfectly capable of understanding what is expected of him very quickly. In addition, for large breed dogs, it is better to teach them before they weigh more than 40 kg!
Which material use to walk on a leash?
First of all, do not use a retractable leash, because the dog is disturbed when the length of the leash varies permanently. These leashes can be used only when the dog can walk well.
To avoid compressing the trachea, harnesses are preferable. There are some for all tastes to match or not to the leash!
If your puppy is particularly turbulent, has difficulty concentrating, you can use a halter, which allows you to steer the dog and hold it by acting directly on his head.
There are necklaces whose purpose is to reduce the traction of the dog: the spiked collar and the choke collar. These collars are sometimes effective, but dangerous for the health of your dog (there is a risk of crushing the trachea). We do not recommend them except in educational sessions with an educator who can help you use them well.
Where to place your dog for a ride on a leash – pull on the leash?
This is a question that is often asked to me. Should the dog be on our right or on our left? You think it’s right? Lost! You think it’s left? Win! Indeed, it is advisable to keep your dog on a leash on your left.
Why? Just because cars drive right and to be safe, you always have to walk in the opposite direction of cars. So left to see the cars coming from the front. You must put your puppy on your left and you must position yourself between the dog and the road.
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What you need to know before you learn how to leash train a puppy ?
Your puppy is small and tired quickly. It does not have a concentration capacity as long as an adult dog. I advise you to do short sessions. It is better to do a session of 10/15 minutes several times a day than a long session.
I also recommend that you choose a quiet place for the first sessions. He will be more attentive because he will not be disturbed by the noise of cars, other dogs, etc.
Do the sessions on how to leash train a puppy once he has spent and has done a lot of physical work. It will be less foolish and will be more receptive to learning.
At the beginning of learning, you can tap your thigh to bring your puppy back to you.
The leash should not be considered a toy. At home, do not play with it and do not let it take it for fun. The leash is only used to walk around.
And finally, last advice, start learning how to leash train a puppy at home. In the apartment, from room to room, in the garden and so on. You put his collar and leash on him and you walk around the house. He will learn to change direction, to follow suit, to be attentive to your movements. He will move more and more in total harmony with you.
Now that you’re read all about leash training. it’s time to potty train, here how to potty train a puppy with a bell.