Content

• Steps

Learning to walk on a leash is one of the most important skills you need to teach your dog. Walking the dog not only helps a developing dog get active, but also helps him obey and respond to the owner's commands better. The key to successful leash training is consistency and patience. Keep this in mind during training, and over time you will be able to enjoy a walk with your dog.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Introduce your puppy to collars and leashes

1. 

   Please be patient. Patience is the most important factor in getting a puppy used to the collar and leash for the first time. No puppy can go for a perfect walk with a leash right away. To properly train your dog, you need to be confident, calm and consistent.

2. 

   
   
   Give your dog a treat. Ideally, give your dog small, easy-to-chew treats. There are lots of delicious rewards you can quickly reward your dog with so that he won't be distracted from training.
   • Sometimes, playing fetch or tug of war is a reward for complimenting your dog's good behavior.
   • Another, slightly more complicated, rewarding way is to train the dog with a clicker (a small device that when clicked on will make a click sound). This device allows you to easily compliment your dog's good behavior by pressing the button for a squeak and rewarding him with food.

3. 

   
   
   Choose a necklace and a leash. Choose a light, flat necklace and a light leash at the beginning to get your dog used to wearing it. Choosing heavy leash is unnecessary, especially when the puppy is still small and shy.

4. 

   Get your dog acquainted with the necklace. Dogs are often quite tense when wearing the necklace for the first time, and some even get angry or try to chew the necklace. If your puppy does not like the necklace very much, there are a few things you can try:
   • Distracting. Put a collar on your dog while playing or in the yard.
   • Give your dog a treat. Have your favorite food or toy ready and reward your dog immediately after wearing the necklace.
   • Loosen necklace. The necklace should be worn to fit the dog's neck, avoiding it being worn too tight to make it uncomfortable.

5. 

   
   
   Get familiar with the leash. This will also drive many dogs mad, others just sitting still and refusing to move. When putting the leash on your dog for the first time, drop the end of the string on the ground and let it run freely. Play around or let your dog play with other dogs while pulling on the leash, but make sure it doesn't get caught in the leash. From time to time you will pick up the leash, call your dog over and give him a reward. advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Train your puppy to walk with a leash

1. 

   Create a peaceful environment. Many dogs become extremely agitated at the sight of the leash and will bark, groan or run around. If this is the case, hold the leash in hand and stand still until the dog is calm. While going for a walk, you also need to stay calm, the dog will follow your example.

2. 

   Bring your reward. You should develop a habit of carrying a small amount of food that is easy to chew as a reward for your dog during training. Do not bring foods that are too large or difficult to chew to avoid interfering with training. You can use small pieces of sausage or cheese as a reward.

3. 

   Always encourage and calm down. Let your dog adjust to the leash gradually. If it appears tense, bend down in front of your face and stroke it or give it small treats while walking. Be patient with this adaptation process, if your dog does not behave well, you can handle it in simple and effective ways without getting angry.

4. 

   Stop bad behaviors. You can prevent bad behavior from developing by taking action when they happen. Remember, you shouldn't get angry and scold or hit a dog. There are many positive and constructive ways to reinforce your dog's good behavior without getting angry. Here are some examples of bad behavior and how to deal with them:
   • Puppy pull the rope. As soon as it does, stop and stand still. Don't pull back on the zipper, just let your dog know that the more he pulls it, the less he will go. Call your dog over and give him a treat. If you stay calm and do so consistently each time your dog pulls on the leash, he will quickly learn not to.
   • Dog sitting or lying down. If your dog refuses to go for a walk, stand a few feet away, call him back and give him a treat. You will continue until the dog refuses to go again and repeat the same treatment. Be calm and consistent, and gradually your dog will get used to walking with the leash.

5. 

   Always be consistent. This is the most important rule in dog training. Puppies are always eager and happy to learn, all you need to do is to express your wishes clearly. When you are steadfast in complimenting on good behavior and stopping the bad behavior, your dog will develop good behavior. Conversely, if you are inconsistent and let your dog pull on the leash often, he won't understand what you want him to do. advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Keep training until the dog comes of age

1. 

   Take the dog often for walks. You will continue to take your dog for walks as many times a day as possible. This will reinforce good walking behaviors and help your dog not forget what has been trained. Remember that you need to stay calm and not reward bad behavior.

2. 

   Go ahead of the dog. This will show that you are in control and that your dog will be more obedient. You may need to shorten the leash and stop if your dog tries to pull it, call it back, give the reward and repeat. Continue to shorten the leash until the dog is used to walking beside or behind you.
   • Remember to stay calm and attentive to your dog, don't play on the phone or get angry.

3. 

   Watch out for other dog walkers. If you are walking on the sidewalk or on the street and see another dog owner seem stressed or weak, be prepared that their dog may be behaving undesirable. Keep your dog by your side and keep moving, giving him a reward if he doesn't try to pull on the leash to play with another dog on the way.

4. 

   Choose the right dog walking equipment. If your dog tends to pull on a rope, use a short string (about 1.2 to 1.8 meters). Anti-pull dog harnesses can help reduce leash stress more than conventional straps. You should not use a self-winding zipper as it makes it much more difficult to train your dog. The leash is also not very helpful unless you are a professional dog trainer. advertisement