Training Your Dog to Love His Leash

When you adopt a puppy or adult canine, you\’ll need to spend time training him to walk on a leash. Your city likely has \”leash laws\” that you are expected to follow. The problem is, dogs are not naturally inclined to have collars around their necks. It feels strange to them. This is the reason many canines attempt to take them off when they are first learning to accept them. However, with the right approach, you can train your pet to look forward to wearing one.

In this article, we\’ll provide a short guide for introducing your puppy to his leash. Use the following suggestions to help him grow comfortable with it, and discourage him from pulling.

Acclimating Your Pet To His Leash

Dogs react differently when being introduced to their leashes. Some will remain still and quiet as their owners attach the leashes to their collars. Others will whine to let their owners know they are displeased. Still others will struggle. They might try to leave, or move their heads in ways that make it difficult to control them.

Realize that your pet is unaccustomed to the sight or feel of a line attached to his collar. If he is naturally nervous, he may become uneasy. Go slowly to help him gain a level of comfort with it. Rather than immediately taking him for a walk on his leash, let him walk around your home with the leash attached. Clip it, let it go, and let him roam. This will acclimate him to it, and allow him to become comfortable at his own pace.

There\’s a good chance your canine will attempt to chew the line, especially if he is still a puppy. Discourage him from doing so. If you see him chewing his leash, distract him and direct his attention elsewhere. Then, once he has stopped chewing, provide a small treat to reinforce the behavior.

Getting Started With Leash Training

Eventually, your dog will become at ease with his leash. At this point, pick it up, and hold it. The goal is not to train him to walk at your side with the line attached to his collar. Instead, the purpose of holding it is to help him grow accustomed to having you on the other end.

If your canine remains calm, give him a treat. This will encourage him to keep his composure while you hold his leash. If he resists, and tries to get away, let him. Don\’t admonish him, pull the line, or call his name. Simply let his leash go. If you restrain him during this early stage, he may develop an aversion to it.

Keep trying until your pet becomes comfortable. With time, he\’ll be ready for you to take him on his first walk outdoors.

What To Do When Your Puppy Pulls

Dogs are naturally curious. When they are outside, even in neighborhoods that are familiar to them, they enjoy exploring their surroundings. They want to smell the bushes and trees, and look for small rodents hiding nearby.

When your canine is outdoors on-leash, this tendency may prompt him to pull you along behind him. This is a common problem that many owners experience when walking their dogs. Those who work to curb the behavior can usually resolve it quickly. Owners who ignore it in the beginning will find that it becomes a habit.

Take plenty of treats with you when you walk your dog. Treats are one of the most effective motivators to encourage good behavior. Give your canine four of five feet of line with which to roam. Most dogs will begin pulling on their leashes immediately. If this happens, stop walking. Stand in one place. When your pet turns around and takes a few steps toward you, causing the line to go slack, give him a treat. This lets him know that the leash should never be taut.

Your canine will eventually look forward to wearing his leash. Why? Because it means you are taking him outside the home, where he can enjoy new sights and scents. He may even begin to bring his leash to you to ask that you take him for a walk.

Author Bio: For the best Dog Chews Visit http://www.bestbullysticks.com

Category: Pets
Keywords: dogs, leashes, dogs and leashes

Leave a Reply