Dog Leash Training Tips

Start your dog leash training in your home first

It is best to start your dog leash training inside your home. If you start in the house there are likely to be far fewer distraction than outside. Your dog needs to remain calm at all times, and this starts with putting the leash on. If your dog gets over excited at the sight of a leash as it associates the leash with going for a walk wait until he is calm until you put it on. Just stand and ignore the dog until he is calm then try to put the lead on. If he starts to get over excited before you manage to get the lead on, stop again and ignore him until he calms down. Eventually the dog will get the message that it is not going anywhere until he is calm, this may take some patience on your part but will be worth it when it makes getting ready for a walk much more pleasant in the future.

Methods of dog leash training

There are different schools of thought on the methods of dog leash training. One option is when the dog pulls or tries to walk ahead to give a quick jerk sideways to correct it. Some people feel this method is a little harsh and are worried about hurting the dog. Fortunately, there is another method which is gentler and based more on positive reinforcement. Start walking with your dog at your side, if the dog pulls or tries to walk in front and the leash becomes taught, immediately turn and walk in the opposite direction, not only does this mean that the dog starts to realise that pulling does not get him where he wants to be any faster, but it also keeps him interested in you and what you are going to do next. Change directions again when your dog seems to be losing interest or is pulling again. When the dog is walking well by your side praise and give it a treat you can also start introducing a voice command such as heel (don’t do this until the dog is walking well). Keep the training upbeat and fun for the dog so that he wants to be walking with you.

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Once you have mastered walking with a loose leash in the house start moving out into the garden or yard. Here there will be a few more distractions and smells so you will need to try and keep your dogs interest by making the session fun. Once your dog walks well on the leash in the garden you can start walking further afield. You will need to be patient and keep practicing in order for walking on a loose leash to become second nature to the dog. If there is not room for you to turn and walk in the other direction when the leash becomes taught you can also try standing still. Eventually your dog should realise that you are not going anywhere while he is in front and you must wait for him to turn round and come back to you, again this will require patience on the part of the owner.

Best Collar for dog leash training

Different types of collars can aid with training options, including a slip lead which is a lead with collar built in, if the dog pulls the collar tightens. A half check collar has a front chain similar to a choke chain but the rest of the collar is made of leather or fabric and so is not as harsh as a choke chain. My preferred option is a headcollar, you may need to get your dog used to wearing one of these at first as it is different to standard collars (it fits around the head and nose). The benefit of a headcollar is that is easy to turn your dogs head away from distractions gently and easily and the dog is much easier to control if he tries to pull away from you.

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