It is not going to be easy to get your dog to take the
leash. After all, your pet does realize that somewhere it's a clamping down on
his freedom. Your dog will resist, in ways you've never imagined, posing major
risks to oneself.
Patience is the key here. It is a lot easier to train a
puppy to use the leash than an adult dog. Nevertheless, these are a few tips
you could use.
1. Choose the right collar and leash
They might all look the same, but there's one for every type
of dog. A flat, lightweight nylon collar and leash works the best for pups. You
can always upgrade later. The collar should not be too loose and neither too
tight. What's the right size? You should be able to insert too fingers beneath
the collar, easily.
2. Introduce him to the collar and leash
Now that you've picked the right collar, you've got to get
him to wear it. Gently slip it around his neck while playing or when eating.
The point is to have a few distractions around to divert the mind from the new
item. Despite this, if he notices the collar and tries hard to remove it,
distract him by bringing out a favorite toy or offering some treats.
After your furry companion has familiarized himself with the
collar, attach the leash. However, don't tug at the end. The tension might
cause him to have a temper tantrum or refuse. Let him play with the loose end.
Make sure you always supervise your pet if he is running lose with the leash on
to avoid entanglements.
When you start out, don't expect to wear your pet to wear
the collar and leash for long. Always try to associate the collar and leash
with something positive.
3. Praise and reward
For every time, your dog obeys your command reward him with
a treat. This kind of positive reinforcement will really ease the leash
training process. You can offer treats when he walks at heel, when he does not
lunge or when he does not pull at the collar. Keep the treats small as too much
food could also be a major distraction. Hold the treat at a reachable level so
that your puppy or dog is not jumping for it.
4. Call him to come
While playing with your dog, lift the leash and gently tug
at it, while commanding him to come to you. You can hold the end of the leash
and gently stand still or kneel down and pet him. You can use verbal cues to
help your pet understand what's coming.
Once you have got him to come at your command, you can
practise loose leash walking your dog with the leash on. Get him to walk by
your side slowly. Stop after a few steps, get him to sit and give him a reward.
You can gradually cut back on the rewards, like giving him a reward after every
second stop.
It's now time to take your dog out; first your backyard and
garden and then the public park. If your dog tries to lunge or pull, stop to
indicate that the behavior is unapproved of.
Different dogs react differently to the whole process, with
some accepting it easily and others giving it a real tough battle. Just stick
it out for a while and your pet will gradually obey you. If all doesn't work,
you can enlist the help of a professional dog trainer.
Credit: Jovia A. D'Souza
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