Leash Training Cheat sheet

It is finally time for your puppy to learn how to walk on a leash and you are super excited with the idea of all the fun you are going to have together. Visits to the dog-park, strolls on the beach, even adventurous hikes, Life with a dog is so good!

You take out the super awesome collar and leash you bought awhile back, put them on and eh...Houston we have a problem!.

The dog won't move...and now what?

There are three basic stages your puppy needs to master before he actually sets-out for his first leashed walk.

• Adjust to the collar: Using a light weight collar will greatly help your pooch get used to the feeling of having something wrapped around his neck. The best time to put it on will be when he is distracted doing something (like eating). At first he might try to get the collar off but don't  let him. Help him to get used to it by distracting his attention from the collar.
  
  
• After your puppy becomes adjusted to the wearing his collar it will be time to "introduce the leash". Again, using a lightweight leash will make it easier on him to get used to it.  Have him walk around the house with the leash dragging behind him  (under supervision). If the leash is "too much" for him to handle you can tie a shoelace or ribbon to the collar instead.
  
  
• When he is comfortable with the collar and leash pick up the leash and walk around following his lead.  At this point is more about him feeling "Ok" than you being the leader.  Finally, making sure to hold loosely onto the leash (you don't want to bring-up his pulling instincts), start "leading the dance" and have him follow you around instead.  At this point you should be able to bring him outside to get used to the surroundings and after a couple of  back yard walking sessions you will be good to go!
  
  

However difficult this might sound, leash training is not as hard as you probably think it is.

Now good luck with your training and have fun, Woof!