Leash Training A Puppy

So you've just brought home your new puppy and you put him on a leash. If you expected your new pet to walk nicely next to you, you probably got a big surprise. Leash training a puppy is not as easy as you might have thought, but walking on a leash is an essential skill for him to learn. Dogs love taking walks and dog owners love it too, as long as you don't have to fight your pet every step.

For starters, get a couple of good dog leashes and dog collars, and make sure they are sized properly. If the collar is too big he'll be able to slip it off and if it is too small he may choke. Sizing is important.

You'll notice that when you first put on the collar he may fight and work hard to remove it. At this early stage, never take it off when he is trying to get it off himself. He'll learn that his efforts pay dividends. You need to let him know this is something he'll have to get used to. This won't happen in just a few minutes. It takes some time. Make sure it stays around his neck at least several hours every day. This means you'll have to keep your eye on him. You don't want the collar to catch on something when your puppy trys to take it off.

Once he becomes used to the collar, then you can go ahead and attach a leash. He should know you aren't going to harm him, but be gently none the less. Talk to him softly while you are attaching the leash. Now leash training a puppy can begin.

Expect your pup to tug on the leash. He may try to bite it or pull you along for a ride. At this point the last thing you want to do is pull your puppy along. It's a good idea to leave the leash alone for a while and let your puppy run around the yard. Of course you'll again need to watch him carefully to be sure he doesn't catch on anything. And you'll want to make sure you have a good leash because he will play with it and try to bite through it.

OK, now it's time for a walk. This can be a bit tricky at first because you have to strike a balance by not pulling the puppy and not letting him pull you either. Talk to him and let him know what you are doing. It takes some time but he will get it eventually.

You want to get to the point where when walking, your pet stays beside you with the leash hanging loose. Puppies are inquisitive and curious, and they will stop to investigate things. Let him. But you be the judge of when it is time to move on. Call his name and move on. Don't pull on the leash, but an occasional gently tug is fine. If your pet wants to walk faster than you and starts to get ahead, again you'll call his name but again avoid pulling on the leash. A general rule of thumb is that if he does something you don't want him to, say his name, tell him "no" and give a gently tug.

Leash training a puppy requires a few things. You'll need to be consistent. And you'll need to reward your puppy with praise when he does what he is supposed to. Treats are fine too. You want to get to the point where the leash always hangs loose between you. You'll love walking your dog and he will love walking with you instead of trying to walk you.

For all your dog training needs there are two sources we highly recommend.

Dog trainer Daniel Stevens has put together what we feel is the most comprehensive dog training guide available. It's called SitStayFetch and you can find out more by clicking here.

If you prefer your dog training on video exclusively, then be sure to check out Dove Cresswell's Dog Training Online. You can even view a free sample video. It's available here.

You cannot go wrong with either one.