Every new puppy owner longs for the day when his pup walks at his side without pulling him down the street. I have a young Jack Russell terrier who pulled me down crowded city streets and across dog parks for 10 long, frustrating and embarrassing months before he eventually had a light bulb moment. And for my long-suffering and extremely tolerant neighbours, that moment couldn’t have come sooner. But, every now and again, Teddy reverts back to crazy - just to keep me on my toes.
So we all know how frustrating it is to have a dog which drags on the end of the lead like a sack of potatoes, or stops to sniff at every tree, lamppost, passing dog or irresistible fire hydrant. It could become such a problem that some dogs just end up never being taken for walks. But by consistently following simple steps, you and your new best friend will soon be enjoying outings without a struggle:
Get him collared
This can begin as soon as your puppy arrives at home. All it involves is getting your pup familiar with and comfortable wearing a collar. A simple light weight leather collar is ideal. Place it on your puppy when you feed him or as you are playing; this provides a bit of a distraction from the collar. He'll probably roll around trying to dislodge it, or try his best to scratch it off. When he is doing this it is important that you don't take it off him. Wait until he has settled down and forgotten about it before you take it off.
Bring out the leash
Once he is happy wearing his new collar, introduce the leash. Same thing again here, you just want to get him comfortable with the leash, and to show him the leash is not to be feared. Any light weight, thin leash is fine. Clip it onto his collar and he'll forget about the it after a while.
You never introduce a dog to the leash in the house. You *always* use it outside only, at first, just on bathroom trips since the dog will be focused on peeing, not messing with the leash. You never let a puppy run around with a leash on just to "get used to it." The leash is an extension of your arm and it must be treated as such. If you let the dog roam as he pleases while wearing the leash, he'll try to do the same when he's outside. The puppy must learn that it's A) and extension of your arm and B) you are in control of the leash from moment
Make training fun
Once he is comfortable in his collar and with the leash, pick up the other end of the leash. Make these first leash training sessions short, sharp and fun. Walk around the house with the leash in hand, and your puppy trotting alongside you. When he is walking along on a loose leash give him plenty of praise, petting and treats.
Don’t strain, turn
When he strains on the leash, change direction. He will have to turn with you and if you turn often, it will keep him from getting distracted. Don't yank him back over to you with the leash. Whatever you do, don’t reward pulling behaviour. It reinforces the habit.
Your puppy has to learn that when he pulls on the leash, he gets nowhere. If he wants to continue walking, it has to be by your side on a loose leash. The same rule applies if your puppy sits down when you are walking. Don't yank him forward towards you, just call him over and reward him when he arrives. Then set off walking again with your puppy by your side.
Sources:The Complete Guide to Dog Ownership
“Dog Training with a Head Halter”; Miriam Fields-Banineau; 2000
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