On Leash Training
A. Preliminary On Leash Training – Set the Tone:
Your commitment to having your dog walk nicely on a leash will bring you both a lot of pleasurable opportunities.
The first part of leash training a dog to walk nicely on a leash is to instill in her a sense of calm before the leash ever goes on. Assuming that your dog already wears a collar, we will begin at the point of actually introducing her to the leash.
Begin your on leash training when you and your dog are inside together having some quiet time; get her attention. Take the new leash in your hands and let her smell it. Talk calmly to her and say the word ‘leash’ or ‘lead’ in a happy tone.
Clip the leash to her collar and let her play around for a few minutes with it on. Supervise her so she does not get tangled or anxious, and talk to her in an encouraging tone. You want your dog leash training to be a happy event. Do this for a few times throughout the next day or so.
B. Preliminary On Leash Training – Begin Walking Together:
The next step in leash training a dog is to practice walking together with the collar and leash on your dog. Again, to begin with, do this inside the house or in a quiet enclosure outside. Call her by name and as she sits quietly in front of you, clip on the leash. Work at keeping her calm as you attach the leash.
Because dogs love getting out and doing new things, as soon as they connect the fact that dog leash training time means going out for a walk, their excitement at the prospect can prevent you from even clipping the leash to their collar.
It is not a good idea to begin leash training a dog until your pet is properly quiet and still. By allowing your dog to begin walking while in an excited frenzy, you are communicating to her that this is the mood you want for the walk. So throughout on leash training process, maintain your own calm yet alert mood and expect the same from your dog. She will respond to your energy.
If you have already taught your dog to sit and stay, it will go a long way to help with the dog leash training.
Page 2 of On Leash Training is here:
