How to Teach a Puppy To Walk On A Leash

Training your puppy to walk on a leash does not mean you have to play choking games or end up being viewed as the bad guy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Puppy
• Long lead line
• Normal leash
• Short length of rope, crocheted strip or strapping

1. When puppies are just starting to run around and play with each other, I like to fasten short lengths of crocheted strips to little collars. Sometimes I make the whole collar with crochet and leave a 'tail' on it.
   
   This triggers the other puppies' desire to tug on the strips. Thus, your not the bad guy and they are getting used to being controlled by a lead as well as having a collar on.

2. Proper placement of the collar is key. When walking your puppy/dog at ANY time in their training, be sure that the collar is placed up under the chin and close to the undersides of the ears. You do not want it down around the mid or lower neck as you lose all leverage and control of your dog then. Very little coaxing is needed on your lead if the collar is placed properly.

3. Start out with a long rope line and use treats to call your dog to you as you shorten the length of lead to keep in taunt while still avoiding resistance. Do not allow the puppy to have any lead back to go out away from you until they have come as called and gotten their reward.

4. When walking around the house, have your puppies leash attached to your belt. This will help teach the puppy to pay attention to you as a handler and be expectant of your next move instead of your having to call the dog for it's attention each time you want to go a new direction. A side benefit of this is that it makes housebreaking SO much easier as they aren't out of your sight and you will know when they have to go before they do it. Be sure to reward them when they try to let you know.

5. As the puppy gains confidence, begin walking in sporadic directions in order to teach the puppy to pay attention to you at all times when on lead.

6. Use short, sharp tugs on the lead if the puppy is distracted or misbehaving while using an 'uh-uh' noise (they listen better to that than a simple no). You could also use a "cchhh!" sound.

Tips & Warnings

• Praise ONLY when they have had success. Consoling a puppy can be misunderstood as praise so ignore the temper bouts and mini fits. It will pass.
• Never, ever be harsh with your puppy for not understanding your desires. Positive reinforcement goes a long ways. Even if you have to 'set the puppy up' for success in order to praise
• If you use a choker, make CERTAIN you have it on properly so that it goes loose when the puppy is not fighting against it. them often.

Resources

• Guide To Ethical Dog Breeding

[MizGreenJeans]

on 9/15/2008 Great article by a livestock-savvy author. Keep the good stuff coming!

[imagery]

on 11/27/2007 Good article. I have friends that have an 18 Month "Goldendoodle" which is a great dog, but only interested in play and not at all treat motivated. They are having trouble get the dog to listen to simple "come" and "stay" commands. I have been blessed with dogs that are food motivated. Any ideas on how to get the dog to listen?

[imagery]

on 11/27/2007 Good article. I have friends that have an 18 Month "Goldendoodle" which is a great dog, but only interested in play and not at all treat motivated. They are having trouble get the dog to listen to simple "come" and "stay" commands. I have been blessed with dogs that are food motivated. Any ideas on how to get the dog to listen?

[knewf]

on 11/15/2007 nice article, the part about keepng the puppy close to you is important

[can-do]

on 11/15/2007 I like! Especially about the part of having the pup leashed on your belt in the house regarding potty training. Great idea.