How to Teach your puppy to walk on a leash

You will learn how to train your puppy to wear a collar and walk on a leash, and the earlier you start, the better. These are many ways to teach a dog how to walk on a leash, and a positive approach should always be taken. Baby will want to follow you anyway, all you'll have to do is add a collar, then a leash, and then let her follow.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. You can buy a flat buckle collar made of nylon web or leather made at a pet supply store, such as PetCo or Pet Smart. Training collars are made of chain or nylon and should be used for obedience training, but for basic leash training in young puppies, a flat collar is good.

2. For the first two or three days of training, leave Baby's collar on, only while you are with her, playing, romping, and doing the things that new puppies usually like to do. After a couple days of wearing her collar, she will begin to accept and ignore it. At this point, then it is safe to leave the collar on her all of the time.

3. Once she is accustomed to wearing the collar, snap a short leash onto it, and let Baby drag it around while she follows you. Once she has become accustomed to dragging the leash, pick it up and let Baby drag it around while she follows you. When she is accustomed to dragging the leash, pick it up and take a short walk around the yard, holding the leash loosely. If she wants to chew it, tell her "No" in a conversational tone, and continue. In the beginning, walk backwards, coaxing Baby to follow you by extending your fingers to her. Don't tug on the leash, and remember not to jerk or snap it. It is important to let Baby know who has control over the leash. It should be done in a gentle, encouraging way, and never roughly. Take it slow; you are introducing something foreign to her experience and knowledge. Give her praise for following you and she will soon be delighted to frolic along with you by your side, disregarding the leash. Pet supply stores have lightweight retractile leads of various lengths and styles. The convenient retracting leashes will give Baby more freedom than standard leashes will and may be also used after she is accustomed to walking on a basic standard lead.

4. For about a week or so work with Baby on lead in your backyard. Then once she has fully accepted the leash, you can then walk her out of her yard, but keep in mind that before you do, check with your veterinarian to make sure that Baby has had or received all mandatory vaccinations.

Tips & Warnings

• All pups are active, inquisitive, mischievous, and energetic. Sometimes they misbehave. They are not automatons; they are intelligent beings, anxious to learn and to please you.
• Don't make a federal case out of every mistake that Baby does. She enjoys playing and having fun, and as a teacher, you should always try to make her education as painless as you possibly can.
• No single one training session should take more than a couple of minutes.
• If continued too long, Baby will become bored and lose interest.
• Don't forget to play with her between exercises.

[LynnG3]

on 9/26/2008 Thank you.

[3-Point]

on 9/26/2008 I love dogs and this article is extremely helpful. Thanks. 5*****

[bmi57]

on 9/21/2008 I have a new puppy and already love him dearly, I started him with his leash this way and now he brings it to me when he wants to go out. Great article, thanks for sharing.

[AndreaDorie]

on 9/21/2008 Great article! It has sensible, loving ways to teach a puppy!