In many states, you will not be allowed to walk with your dog or puppy into public places if he is not on a leash. Legal requirements aside, it is prudent pet etiquette that every dog learns how to walk on a leash. This is why every pet owner needs to learn about leash training puppies.
At such a young age, it is very easy to teach your puppy practically anything. Despite this, many people still have no idea how they can train their pet into this habit. The following 5 simple steps will however be of great help.
Step 1: Train him to wear a collar
The first step in training your puppy how to walk on a leash can start as soon as he arrives at the new home.
The reason many dogs find it hard to walk on leashes is that they find the collars rather uncomfortable. It will be an added advantage if your puppy sees this as the only way while at a tender age.
Visit the local pet store and request for a light collar that won't be too heavy for the puppy. Take advantage of feeding and playing times when the puppy is less likely to resist.
Step 2: Remove it at the right times
It is not healthy to let a puppy carry a collar around his neck all day at this stage. This is why you need to learn when to get it out of the neck.
If you want to succeed in leash training puppies, you need to insist on removing the leash only at the right time. The best time to get it out of the neck is when the puppy needs to return to his crate.
Do not remove the collar when he tries to fight it off. This will encourage him to fight the collar and consequently a leash.
Step 3: Start with a simple leash
When the pup finally gets used to walking around with a collar, this is the time to introduce a leash.
However, you need to go slow on this since an entire leash could overwhelm him. In such a case, start with a string or even a shoelace that won't look so strange to the puppy.
Attach the simple leash you decide on the collar during eating and playing times. This is always the best time to introduce a puppy to some new habit.
Once again, you can only remove this leash when he forgets it's there and not when he tries to force it off.
Step 4: Start taking him out for treats
Observe how the pup behaves after you add the simple leash to the collar. As expected, he will try to resist but will end up warming to the idea if you follow the right approach.
Some will chew on the new leash and weaken it close to the collar. Store any chewed leashes as they can be used for later training.
The next step before trying to pull the leash is to start taking him out for walks. You could do this with or without the collar on the neck.
Step 5: Introduce a full leash
If your pup has hitherto responded well to the training, most of the work is almost done. He has finally gotten used to the idea of something hanging from its neck so adjusting to a decent leash will only take a few days.
Just like the collar, you need to ensure you purchase a leash of perfect size. You should be able to pull the tail end of the leash when walking comfortably.
Distract the puppy using games when the leash is on the neck so that it doesn't start chewing it as well. It won't be long before he finally adjusts to the new weight around the neck.
Conclusion
If you have ever bought a new watch, you know how uncomfortable it feels around the wrist on the first few days. However, as time ebbs by, the hand always gets used. This is the same technique applied in leash training puppies successfully.
However, you need to appreciate that a puppy is not human and will need more time to make necessary adjustments. Remember to remove the leash when the pup enters his crate. A puppy on a leash must never be left unattended.
You have now been briefed on how to train a puppy to walk on a leash, and you probably want to find out more on teaching a puppy not to bite.
Click on the following link to access an article that will let you acquire specific understanding on getting a puppy to stop biting.
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