| Tired of your dog dragging you out the door and | | | | leash on. Then let them roam around a little, dragging |
| down the street? Are YOU the one that needs a | | | | the leash. This lets them get used to the leash |
| nap after taking the dog for a walk? Maybe it's time | | | | without having to worry about anything else. Try |
| to leash train the dog. A little time and a bit more | | | | picking the leash up, and when it is about to tighten, |
| patience can provide a lifelong reward - enjoyable | | | | give it a slight tug and call the dog to you. After the |
| outdoor walks with your dog. But before getting | | | | dog comes to your side, give them a treat and |
| started, let's review a few basic training principles. | | | | praise them. Repeat this a few times. Next time |
| It is best train in an area that the dog is already | | | | when you put the leash on and the dog starts |
| familiar with, such as the back yard. Dogs have a | | | | walking away, call them back to your side and have |
| natural tendency to explore, and things will go easier | | | | them stand there for a bit. They will probably wander |
| if they are not tempted by this desire. Reward good | | | | a little, but that's ok - just keep an eye on the leash, |
| behavior with praise and treats - the treats can be | | | | and when it is about to tighten, give a little tug and |
| lessened over time and you will find the dog is more | | | | call them back to your side. Don't forget the reward |
| than satisfied with just the praise. Keep the sessions | | | | and the praise. Your goal is to get the dog used to |
| short at first, and fairly often. Also, try to do the | | | | standing by your side with a loose leash. |
| training at the same time everyday - this gives the | | | | After doing only this for a few sessions, you are |
| dog an easy routine to follow. Remember to correct, | | | | ready to start walking. After putting the leash on and |
| not punish the dog while leash training. Punishment is | | | | having the dog come stand beside you, try walking a |
| only used when the dog does not behave as they | | | | little ways. Keep your eye on the dog, and if the |
| have been taught, and they have not been taught | | | | leash starts to tighten, give it a slight tug and call the |
| how to walk on a leash yet. And don't forget that | | | | dog to your side. You might also try changing |
| you are learning, too! | | | | directions or simply stopping. If you do this before |
| A good collar and leash are necessities. A six-foot | | | | the leash gets tight, the dog will soon learn that you |
| leather leash is ideal for training. An extensible leash is | | | | want the leash to remain loose. The dog will also |
| probably not a good idea for training purposes. They | | | | learn that you want them to pay attention to what |
| tend to keep a slight tension on the leash, and you | | | | you are doing and follow your lead. |
| want to teach the dog to walk near your side with | | | | Whenever you feel the dog is doing well with this, |
| the leash slightly loose (but not dragging). For puppies, | | | | then it's time to venture into the real world. Try |
| use a regular buckle collar. If you are training an older | | | | shorter walks at first, and lengthen them as you both |
| dog, or one that tends to pull against the leash, then | | | | get more comfortable with the leash. If the dog is |
| try a training collar. These allow you to tighten or | | | | not cooperating then put an end to the walk. Don't |
| loosen them around the neck to control pulling on the | | | | reward their bad behavior by simply extending the |
| leash. | | | | walk and hoping they will improve. Let the dog |
| Now that you have everything ready, it's time to | | | | explore their surroundings, but keep calling them back |
| start training. The first two or three sessions can be | | | | to your side. Over time, this behavior will become |
| used simply to allow the dog to get used to the | | | | natural for both of you. Then YOU can look forward |
| collar. Have the dog sit beside you while you put the | | | | to the walks just as much as your dog! |