Get Out and About With Effective Leash Training!
Posted on Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
One of the greatest joys of dog ownership is the opportunity to walk your dog. Your pet can quickly become a constant companion and friend, as the two of you set out into the world and discover it together. And let’s face it; all dogs love being walked and it’s great exercise for both you and your canine companion.
However, without effective leash training, a simple walk in the park can suddenly become an utter nightmare. Suddenly, the dream scenario of bracing walks and canine fun become a palaver of trying to control your dog and follow a leash. With leashes now becoming legal requirements for any dog outside of their own home, good leash obedience training is an absolute necessity for any dog owner. In fact, most professional dog trainers rate it as the second most important skill an owner can give a dog, only coming after house training.
The idea of a dog walking on a leash is, to most humans, simple and correct. The image of a dog trotting along merrily next to their owner, complete with leash, is one we rarely pause to question and it is therefore understandable that may new dog owners don’t understand this isn’t a natural situation. A dog no more understands the concept of walking on a leash than you would; however, once shown what to do and how to do it, it tends to be a trick easily picked up by most canines and then remembered for life.
When you first introduce a young puppy to the leash, try and remember how odd the situation must seem to them. How would you feel, for example, if someone came and attached a rope to you for seemingly no reason? You’d probably be pretty nonplussed, and your dog is going to react in exactly the same way.
Therefore, the biggest contribution you can make toward leash training is to be patient. Instead of affixing the leash and expecting your dog to understand what you want immediately, allow your puppy to get used to the idea. Encourage them to walk on the leash by incentives, such as food or treats, rather than dragging them along until they get the idea. Be patient and consistent, rewarding good behaviour and keep calm in the face of bad behaviour. Keep this attitude up, and soon you’ll be walking along together happily in a perfect pose of content dog and owner.
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