Training a Puppy to Walk on a Lead Doesn"t Have to Be a Drag
Training a puppy to walk on lead will take patience, but it is one of the most important foundations for effective training.
Puppies are naturally rambunctious and full of energy - walking calmly at your side will not be natural to them at first.
Your puppy will need guidance and positive reinforcement from you to learn proper lead behavior.
The key is to start slowly, with just a few minutes at a time to get your puppy used to the lead.
After he has accepted the collar you can begin lead training by attaching a light weight lead to his collar and allowing him to walk around dragging the lead.
Be sure to supervise this so that he does not get hung up on anything.
Once he is very comfortable with the lead and collar you can begin picking up the end and walking around the house with it.
If your puppy struggles do not jerk or pull the lead but rather issue the 'come' command immediately and reward him when he obeys.
The process of training a puppy to walk on lead will be made up of many such instances until he learns not to pull.
Once he stops pulling against the lead you can venture outside.
When you are first training a puppy to walk on lead you should keep the outside trips short and sweet.
If he walks well for a block, reward him and take him home.
Each day you can venture farther, always giving treats for good behavior on the leash.
If you encounter a cat or other reason that causes the puppy to leap away from you remember the 'come' command and reward him for responding.
As he gets used to this you can reward him for not jumping when he sees the cat.
All puppies respond well to 'happy-voice' praise and will work to earn it.
Training a puppy to walk on lead is best dome incrementally starting inside and only progressing outside after he responds positively to the lead in the house.
Never jerk on the lead or get into a tugging match with your puppy - the first will scare him, and the second can quickly become a game.
Your puppy naturally wants to please you and through positive reinforcement and consistent use of commands he will soon learn to walk on lead proudly and calmly at your side.
Puppies are naturally rambunctious and full of energy - walking calmly at your side will not be natural to them at first.
Your puppy will need guidance and positive reinforcement from you to learn proper lead behavior.
The key is to start slowly, with just a few minutes at a time to get your puppy used to the lead.
After he has accepted the collar you can begin lead training by attaching a light weight lead to his collar and allowing him to walk around dragging the lead.
Be sure to supervise this so that he does not get hung up on anything.
Once he is very comfortable with the lead and collar you can begin picking up the end and walking around the house with it.
If your puppy struggles do not jerk or pull the lead but rather issue the 'come' command immediately and reward him when he obeys.
The process of training a puppy to walk on lead will be made up of many such instances until he learns not to pull.
Once he stops pulling against the lead you can venture outside.
When you are first training a puppy to walk on lead you should keep the outside trips short and sweet.
If he walks well for a block, reward him and take him home.
Each day you can venture farther, always giving treats for good behavior on the leash.
If you encounter a cat or other reason that causes the puppy to leap away from you remember the 'come' command and reward him for responding.
As he gets used to this you can reward him for not jumping when he sees the cat.
All puppies respond well to 'happy-voice' praise and will work to earn it.
Training a puppy to walk on lead is best dome incrementally starting inside and only progressing outside after he responds positively to the lead in the house.
Never jerk on the lead or get into a tugging match with your puppy - the first will scare him, and the second can quickly become a game.
Your puppy naturally wants to please you and through positive reinforcement and consistent use of commands he will soon learn to walk on lead proudly and calmly at your side.
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