Training your puppy to happily accept wearing a collar and walking on a leash is not the easiest thing to do.
There is a right way and a wrong way.
Here is the right way how to train a puppy quickly to accept a collar and leash.
Wearing a puppy collar and walking on a leash are two things that your dog must learn early in life.
The later you wait to begin dog leash training the ore difficult it will be.
Here are two very important starting tips:
- The attention span of a puppy is very limited.
So your training sessions need to be short.
As soon as you see their attention wane it is time to stop and move on to something else. - As a trainer you will need to have patience and the training needs to be done gradually, in stages.
Make sure the collar will fit snug enough so the pup cannot wiggle out of it.
The collar should also be adjustable so it isn't grown out of too fast.
When you first put the new collar on our dog it should not hurt but will be foreign and uncomfortable.
There will be squirming and wining.
Expect this, it is natural.
It is best to ignore this behavior while they get used to the collar.
One tip is to give them a toy which will become a welcome distraction while they get used to the new item around their neck.
When they have learned to accept the new collar and are showing signs of comfort with it- that is the time to start introducing the leash.
Many people ask, what is the best age to start puppy leash training? The most common answer is around 8 weeks.
The beginning stages of leash training should all be done in the comfortable and controlled environment of your home-not outside.
To start simply click the leash to the collar and let your pup drag it around for a few minutes each day.
Stay close so you make sure it does not get caught up on anything.
If they start to chew on the leash buy one that is a chain version.
Just make sure it is not too heavy.
If your dog appears to be afraid of the leash, place it next to their food dish when you are not training.
That way they will get used to it and come to learn it is not something that will hurt them.
Eventually you can pick up the leash and begin walking around the inside of your home with your dog.
Just make sure the leash does not get taut at this point.
Also do not try to direct where they walk yet.
Do this over the next few days.
Remember it is a gradual process.
The next step is to begin walking with the leash attached and directing where the pup should go.
Do this at first in the confines of your home.
After a few days you can move outside.
When you first go outside for puppy leash training you want to do this in an area where there are the fewest distractions.
A backyard, if available works great.
Keep the training short.
Remember when you are puppy training, praise your dog when they do something correct.
They want to please you and respond very well to this.
Over time you will be able to take walks with the leash attached in outside areas that have more and more distractions.
If you have taken the puppy leash training slow and methodical, if it has been fun and you have rewarded good behavior your new best friend should be well introduced to the leash and collar at this point.