“Introducing your puppy to the
leash”
By Julie Bjelland Lokhandwala
So you are ready to introduce your puppy to the leash! Here are some easy steps to help it be a
success.
Step One:
Get a delicious treat ready that your puppy loves, before
you put the leash on. Then, put the
leash on your puppy, give them the treat and let them drag the leash around
without you holding on to it. Make sure you are watching carefully so they
don't get caught on something. Let
them drag it around for a few minutes, then take it off and do another session
later, gradually extending the time your puppy is wearing the leash. Whenever you put the leash on, give your
puppy a yummy treat so they start to associate the leash positively. When your puppy feels happy to put the leash
on and is used to dragging it around you can move onto step two.
Step Two:
Pick up the leash now but do not pull on it or make it
tight, instead follow your puppy around.
You can encourage them to come towards you with food treats and praise
them when they are walking with you.
So, if your puppy sits with the leash on and you want to encourage them
to walk, then use a food reward and entice them to come with you, do not pull them
towards you with the leash. It is
important that they not feel tension on their collar at this point and that
there is always a loop in the leash.
Keep the experience really pleasant for your puppy and be enthusiastic
when they have the leash on. Over time, you can move away from your puppy,
enticing them to come with you and treating them when they do. Eventually, your puppy will understand that
when they walk with you, they get a reward and it is fun for them!
*Tip: Always do training sessions when you are feeling
calm. If you are tired and cranky your
puppy will get signals that you are not happy with them and the training
experience can be confusing to them. Whenever
you feel yourself get frustrated with your puppy try to take a break and begin
again when you feel up to it. Keep it
fun!
--Julie Bjelland Lokhandwala's interactive Dog Training Web site: www.webdogtrainer.com, teaches you how to train your own dog as well as receive professional coaching, advice and tips through email consultations about your own dog! Julie formerly trained Guide Dogs for the Blind and has been running her own successful obedience training/behavior modification business for several years. She is known for her talent in helping you communicate more effectively with your dog. Julie's positive methods of training are friendly, encouraging and motivating. She has a personal mission to help more dogs get adopted and stay adopted and donates a portion of her proceeds to the cause. Julie shares her home with her own rescued German Shepherd, Fax.