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Tired of your dog dragging you out the
door and down the street? Are YOU the one that needs a nap
after taking the dog for a walk? Maybe it's time to leash
train the dog. A little time and a bit more patience can
provide a lifelong reward - enjoyable outdoor walks with
your dog. But before getting started, let's review a few
basic training principles.
It is best train in an area that the dog is already
familiar with, such as the back yard. Dogs have a natural
tendency to explore, and things will go easier if they are
not tempted by this desire. Reward good behavior with
praise and treats - the treats can be lessened over time
and you will find the dog is more than satisfied with just
the praise. Keep the sessions short at first, and fairly
often. Also, try to do the training at the same time
everyday - this gives the dog an easy routine to follow.
Remember to correct, not punish the dog while leash
training. Punishment is only used when the dog does not
behave as they have been taught, and they have not been
taught how to walk on a leash yet. And don't forget that
you are learning, too!
A good collar and leash are necessities. A six-foot
leather leash is ideal for training. An extensible leash
is probably not a good idea for training purposes. They
tend to keep a slight tension on the leash, and you want
to teach the dog to walk near your side with the leash
slightly loose (but not dragging). For puppies, use a
regular buckle collar. If you are training an older dog,
or one that tends to pull against the leash, then try a
training collar. These allow you to tighten or loosen them
around the neck to control pulling on the leash.
Now that you have everything ready, it's time to start
training. The first two or three sessions can be used
simply to allow the dog to get used to the collar. Have
the dog sit beside you while you put the leash on. Then
let them roam around a little, dragging the leash. This
lets them get used to the leash without having to worry
about anything else. Try picking the leash up, and when it
is about to tighten, give it a slight tug and call the dog
to you. After the dog comes to your side, give them a
treat and praise them. Repeat this a few times. Next time
when you put the leash on and the dog starts walking away,
call them back to your side and have them stand there for
a bit. They will probably wander a little, but that's ok -
just keep an eye on the leash, and when it is about to
tighten, give a little tug and call them back to your
side. Don't forget the reward and the praise. Your goal is
to get the dog used to standing by your side with a loose
leash.
After doing only this for a few sessions, you are ready to
start walking. After putting the leash on and having the
dog come stand beside you, try walking a little ways. Keep
your eye on the dog, and if the leash starts to tighten,
give it a slight tug and call the dog to your side. You
might also try changing directions or simply stopping. If
you do this before the leash gets tight, the dog will soon
learn that you want the leash to remain loose. The dog
will also learn that you want them to pay attention to
what you are doing and follow your lead.
Whenever you feel the dog is doing well with this, then
it's time to venture into the real world. Try shorter
walks at first, and lengthen them as you both get more
comfortable with the leash. If the dog is not cooperating
then put an end to the walk. Don't reward their bad
behavior by simply extending the walk and hoping they will
improve. Let the dog explore their surroundings, but keep
calling them back to your side. Over time, this behavior
will become natural for both of you. Then YOU can look
forward to the walks just as much as your dog!
This article was provided by Web-rover and AC tropical
fish. Web rover features resources for all dog lovers and
a popular Dog forum . Ac tropical fish is a large tropical
fish resource with a large number of articles, species
profiles and other aquarium resources. AC tropical fish
also features a popular aquarium forum.
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