two dogs a girl and groominggrooming and training your dog

Training Your Dog To Use A Leash

Walking your dog or taking him to the vet are much easier when you have trained your dog to use a leash properly. Leash training puts you in control and helps you manage your dog in any situation.

Leash training should start as soon as you bring a new puppy home. Every dog is different.  Some will learn to use a leash within a few days while other dogs may take a couple of weeks to learn. The key is to be consistent.

Since dog training is so vital visit Dog Leash Training for a fantastic guide to help you train your dog.

The First Step – The Dog Collar

Your puppy must first become accustomed to the feel of a dog collar. Make sure the collar is tight enough so it cannot be pulled over your puppy’s head but at the same time it should not be so tight it will choke him. If there is enough room for your thumb to fit adequately between the collar and your dog’s coat then you know it fits comfortably.

Put the collar on your puppy as soon as you get home. It may be easier to put the collar on when your puppy is eating or when you are playing with him since these activities would provide a distraction. Your puppy will initially work at removing the collar. He will attempt to remove it by scratching at it or by rolling around. You should not remove the collar when he is trying to get it off. You can take the collar off when your dog is no longer paying attention to it. Your puppy should feel comfortable with his collar after a day or two.

The Dog Leash

When your dog is feeling comfortable with his collar you can introduce him to the leash. To accomplish this attach a leash to the collar and let your dog move around freely. You should use a lightweight leash at first. You could use a larger leather leash once your puppy feels comfortable with a leash.

You can keep your dog safe by supervising him when he has the leash on.  It would be easy for the leash to get tangled up. Release your dog if he becomes tangled up and let him continue to play. This step may take a day or two. The next stage of leash training can begin as soon as your puppy feels comfortable with his leash.

The Next Step of Dog Leash Training – Walking

Walking beside you on a leash is the next step in your leash training program. This process can be started at home where there are fewer distractions.

When walking your dog the leash should be kept loose.  Don’t pull on your dog. Your puppy should be free to walk.

If you puppy pulls on the leash you must stop immediately. You will reinforce his behavior of pulling on the leash if you keep walking. Call your dog to come to you but do not yank on the leash. Be sure to praise him for returning to you and then begin walking again. As soon as your dog pulls on the leash again repeat this process. If you are consistent with this process your puppy will soon learn he can not go very far if he pulls on the leash. Duplicate this process until your dog understands what is expected. Consistency is vital.

Suddenly, after a number of walks, you will realize that your dog is not pulling on the leash. It is important that you reward your dog when he performs a task properly. When your puppy walks three or four steps without pulling take time to praise him and give him a treat.

Your dog wants to please you. Your praises should be enthusiastic. Dog treats often add to your dog’s motivation in successfully completing a task.

To review products that will help you train your dog in a positive way go to The Best of the Best.

Dog Leash Training an Adult Dog

It is true that it is easier to leash train a puppy than an adult dog. A puppy is smaller and easier to control physically. An adult dog has greater strength and established habits that must be overcome.

Leash training an adult dog is the same process as training a puppy. Training an adult dog is more demanding physically but you must maintain full control throughout the training process.

When leash training an older and larger dog you may want to consider using a harness or gentle leader. The harness will give you control over a dog’s body instead of putting strain on his neck. A dogs head is pulled up when he pulls on the leash while wearing a gentle leader. This is not painful but is uncomfortable.

Leash training your dog is not complicated. Time and patience is required but the results are worth it.  You will have a well-behaved dog you can take almost everywhere.

I hope these ideas are helpful.  For a complete guide that will assist you in training your dog, in all situations, visit Dog Training Secrets.

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