The first thing to consider in leash training puppies is the leash itself. For a small puppy a really heavy leash and big clutch is not at all suitable. If your puppy seems overwhelmed about accepting the entire leash in the first time, try out replacements like strings, tapes and shoe laces. These are not too long and quite lightweight for your pup to feel any discomfort.
When your puppy gets used to these, introduce a full-length leash. Even then, you can see him trying to grab the leash with its mouth, which is a very natural first reaction. Go for a light fancy leather leash, attach it first to the puppy’s collar and let him drag it around a little bit under your supervision to help him get adjusted to it.
The second most important thing is of course the collar to which the leash has to be attached. If your puppy is going to wear a collar for the first time, he might make attempts at resist it initially. So, it is better to put on the collar on your puppy while he is busy feeding or playing. If he continues to struggle to get rid of the collar, do not remove it immediately. Wait till the puppy has relaxed and forgotten about the collar.
You must get a flat comfortable collar without any chains because chains have a notorious record of damaging the windpipe of little puppies. Fasten the collar lightly around the neck of your puppy and give him enough space to breathe. A tight collar could also cause severe allergic reactions. Also, remember to use very small, soft treats instead of larger biscuits to make it easier for your pet to swallow.
When your puppy becomes comfortable with its collar and leash, the next step is to start walking him around inside the room, just holding the leash. When he makes an attempt to grab at it, just put it out of his mouth and give him a treat. This will distract him from the leash. Give him a treat every time it obeys your call.
Tips for leash training your puppy indoors
When you are moving with your dog, keep your leash loose. You must leave the leash loose and make simple turns constantly so that you get the dog to keep walking. Start with a couple of steps while praising and encouraging the puppy all the way. Initiate the puppy his movements forward by instructing him with special instructional language. For example, you could teach the puppy to take its first step when you extend your right hand.
Now, whenever you are training puppy for the first time for anything, you must reward the effort by providing distractions like treats and toys. Remember to give him the steps gradually for a better association with the leash. And when you are working on the leash, do not ever be tight. You can stop walking in a particular direction and switch directions while giving the leash a little tug to make him follow you. If he does not understand the tug at first, he will follow the movement of your legs.
Leash training puppies outdoors
When going outside with your dog on leash, there will be other distractions like various sights and sounds amidst which the puppy will have to learn to concentrate. Puppies love to walk and play on grassy countryside more than on concrete. Now, in order to make him walk, you have to incorporate a number of tactics like making a lot of turns, talk to him using lovingly encouraging words and using other attractive sounds.
After that, you need to bend down, pick up the leash, hold it loose and start the turns. Next, make it a little harder for your puppy by going a bit faster or slower. If your dog is focused on you and listens to the sounds and commands you are making, it should not take long to leash training a puppy. You can tell how the leash training is progressing if your puppy adopts a submissive body posture suggesting that it expects to be rewarded.
Little things to remember for leash training a puppy correctly
It is important to remember that your puppy does not pull at the leash or try to lead you while out on the walk. If you notice such tendencies, you must discipline the pup with sit-stay orders before it starts its walk. The moment it tugs at the leash, give the leash a jerk to make it stop and sit-stay again. Appreciate his obedience to your orders by giving gifts and love to the puppy before going for the second round of walk with you in the lead.
You must be very specific about how you pat your puppy once it has finished a round of walk on the leash. While stroking him very gently avoid touching the ear areas and thumping his body with your hands as your pet would take this for another puppy initiating play. After a session of petting and rewarding, your puppy is ready again for another turn of walking.
If the puppy sits down in the middle of the walk, do not drag him forward roughly. Just kneel down where you are and call him. When your pup follows your call and comes to you, praise and reward him. Similarly, if your puppy strains at the leash suddenly during a walk, stop immediately and repeat the calling and rewarding session. With a little practice you can easily teach your pet to trot beside you while out on a walk on leash.
The success of training puppy on the leash depends almost entirely on the way you communicate. In fact, properly teaching your pup to behave on the leash can go a long way for imparting other important dog behaviors in the future. If you observe a good length of loose leash hanging between you and the pup, you are definitely making positive progress in leash training your puppy.
