Leash training is essential to a pet’s growth and well-being. Unfortunately, many dog owners do not understand the importance of leash training in their dog’s development. Often, these owners leave their dogs on walks with no leash at all. While this can be OK sometimes, most dogs will enjoy being leashed more, especially when walking through thick traffic or taking them for a jog around the block. A properly trained dog will not pull on a leash and will not become a nuisance to those around him.
The first step to getting your dog on a leash is to remember why you want him to do it. If he is just going for a stroll, you do not need him to pull on his leash, but if he is training to be a better watchdog or service dog, then you will need to start early. Also, as with other animals, puppies need to be taught that they are not supposed to pull on their leash. You can begin leash training your puppy as soon as his six weeks of age.
Before doing any leash training, it is crucial that you know where your dog should walk. Once you know where this is, you can begin to teach him. Some people prefer to use a collar leash for this, while others prefer an attached harness. Whichever method you choose to attach to your dog’s leash, it is essential that you know where he should be walking to make this process easier in the long run.
One of the most important things to learn about leash training your dog is how he should respond around other people and animals. First, you should teach him to walk on a leash with his nose pointed forward. Doing this will help to establish who is in charge. Also, when your dog pulls on the leash, move toward him until he stops. Do not give him any physical encouragement to move because this will teach him to pull even harder.
Along with teaching him to walk on a leash and being patient, leash training your dog should also include obedience training. Obedience training includes but is not limited to, walking your dog on a leash with commands such as “come” and “stay” included. This is very important because when your dog learns that his actions are directly linked to those commands, he will be less likely to get off track. You should also consider teaching your dog basic commands such as sit and stay. These commands are important because they will teach him basic obedience that will translate well to real world situations.
Leash training your dog is a fairly simple process that just requires you to have patience and time to practice. It will take quite a bit of time before you are able to establish a good habit with your dog. You should remember to give him positive reinforcement whenever he performs the action that you ask of him. The more consistent you are, the easier it will become for him to learn and enjoy leash training.