Puppy Leader
The Best Leash Training Resource
Puppy Leader: A Leash Training Resource
New dog owners don’t think about having to train their dogs to walk. The way your dog walks with you is just as important as any other behavioral training. You may not realize it, but there is a good chance your dog is calling the shots when you take him for walks.
What is Leash Training?
Leash training is the act of teaching your dog to walk calmly by your side. With a properly leash trained
What Can I Expect From Doing Leash Training?
The outcome of doing leash training with your dog is to have walks that are enjoyable for you both you and your dog. You can expect your dog to listen to you, stop pulling, leaving food that has been left on the sidewalk. The best part of having a leash-trained dog is having a loose leash, which every dog owner loves having, especially if they’ve never had a loose leash when walking their dog.
Signs You May Need Leash Training
There are several tell-tale signs your dog needs leash training. For dog owners that don’t even know their dog is misbehaving are shocked to see how much more pleasant a walk can be if you’re both respectful of each other.
Pulling: Your Dog Leads You
Your dog knows where he wants to go. He is following his nose and nothing else. It doesn’t matter how much you pull back or tell him “No!”, he will do what he wants. If your dog is strong enough, he can pull you in the direction he desires.
A Tight Leash
If your dog has always been a puller, then you haven’t been able to enjoy a nice, loose leash when walking your dog. A loose leash is an ultimate goal for having a leash-trained dog. Having a leash that is always being pulled and tight means your dog is furthering his bad habits.
Choking, Wheezing, or Coughing
Some dogs can be very determined when it comes to getting a good sniff of something interesting. If your dog has to pull on his leash to get what he wants, he will do it, even if it means the leash is pulling tight enough to cut off his air. In these cases, it doesn’t matter what kind of leash or collar you’re using. He will do what it takes to win against you.
Leash Training Equipment
There is a good chance you already own all the supplies necessary for doing leash training. Often, it just requires you to have a collar, a leash, and some treats. After that, you just need patience and determination. There are some specific tools that make leash training a little easier, such as a dog choke collar. We understand that some of the equipment mentioned on this website might be up for debate, and we exercise caution and teach safety precautions for using the equipment properly.
If used correctly, your dog will never be harmed. Just follow instructions and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Collars
The first and most important piece of equipment you should consider for your dog is to find a collar that works best for him. For puppies who are just learning to walk on a lead, consider starting with the most gentle approach. A slip collar will do just fine. For dogs that aren’t responding well to a slip collar, you can try something that grants you a little more control over them, such as a martingale collar or a prong collar.
Slip or Chain Collar
A slip or a chain collar, also called choker chain, is not as mean as it sounds. The mechanism actually gives your dog a good amount of control when it comes to how much pulling he is doing. The trick to using any kind of choker collar is to keep it loose and positioned correctly.
Martingale Collar
A martingale collar is preferred by dog owners that have dogs with fragile necks. The design of a martingale collar is intended to create more surface area when the dog makes a pulling action during a walk. It also looks nicer than your typical choke collar or prong collar.
Prong Collar
Prong collars have a bad reputation simply because of how they look. With prongs, or spikes, that are intended to stick into your dog’s neck, this collar’s appearance makes it look like it came from a horror movie. Prong collars can sometimes get looks from people who refuse to be educated. A dog’s neck has very thick skin, and the prongs aren’t as mean looking to a dog as it is for a human being.
Leashes
Leashes come in all shapes and sizes. Finding the right leash is about finding something that will last. For a new puppy, you might want to use something that can handle a bit of chewing.