Dog Leash Training

Dog leash training provides social interaction and exercise for both you and your dog.  It is easier to train a puppy to leash train than it is training a grown dog.  An adult dog will have established habits where the puppy is open to new experiences.  Generally speaking a puppy is smaller and easier to control.  So assuming you have the option how do you start training a puppy with dog leash training?  You must first get your dog accustomed to the weight and feel of a collar and leash. 

The Dog Collar

At first the dog collar is bothersome to your puppy.  He will do everything he can in order to remove it.   After awhile he will become accustomed to the feel of the dog collar and his attentions will go elsewhere.  This may take a day or two.

You need to check the dog collar periodically on your puppy. The dog collar needs to be tight enough that it will not come off by your puppy pulling it over his head.  At the same time, you need to determine that the collar is not too tight, as it may become a choking hazard.

The Dog Leash

The next step in this procedure is to get your puppy accustomed to the dog leash itself.   Attach the dog leash to the collar.  Allow your puppy to move around freely.  Once again your puppy must become accustomed to the weight and feel of the collar with the dog leash attached. Your puppy should be watched as it drags the leash behind himself.  It will be easy for your puppy to become entrapped if the leash becomes tangled in or under something.  Just release the dog leash and continue to allow your puppy to run around and play.  Never leave your puppy unsupervised with the dog leash attached.

Dog Leash Training

Dog Leash Training Your Dog

After a few days your puppy should become accustomed to the feel of the extra weight of the dog leash.  Now it is time to begin the dog leash training.  When your puppy pulls on the leash, you should stop walking while commanding your puppy to "come."  As soon as your dog returns to your side take a few more steps. The dog leash should be tight but lose enough that you are not pulling the dog, he should be free to walk. These walking lessons during the dog leash training must be repeated frequently.  It might take a few weeks before you discover your dog is no longer pulling on the leash, but remaining close by your side as you are walking.  Success has been attained, your puppy is walking by your side attentive to every step you make.  Remember to use praise and reward your puppy every time a task is done properly.  A dog wants to please his master.  Praise reinforces the successful completion of a task.  During these times you may want to use "treats" as well as verbal praise.

Dog Leash Training an Older Dog

Leash training an older dog is a little more difficult physically.  A mature dog has become accustomed to the freedom to roam as he pleased.  He is heavier than a youthful puppy and pulls harder when he wants to go a different direction than the trainer. The technique to leash training an older dog is the same.  The main difference is maintaining your control through the training process.  It should not take any longer to train the older dog.  Once again if your dog sees you as the alpha dog leader he will want to please you.  You will be working the hardest to overcome a habit and to build a new habit of walking beside you on the dog leash.

Alpha Dog Leader

A dog may be trained to walk on a leash but becomes unruly around other dogs or people.  There can be many causes for this problem.  Each of the causes has a slightly different technique to correct.  Generally speaking, if your dog knows you are the alpha dog leader these incidents will not occur.  You will find your walks with your dog will be enjoyable after successfully completing dog leash training.