Training a puppy to accept a collar and leash is probably the single most important thing that you can work on when you start his training. Puppy leash training can begin almost as soon as you get him settled in his new home.
Training your dog to become accepting of a collar and leash is important because it will set you up to be in control. Once your dog accepts that you are in charge, training has a much better chance of success.
When your puppy learns that he must accept his collar and lead, you will be able to move onto other areas of dog training. Here’s what to do to teach him to accept his collar and lead.
Buy a collar that will fit your puppy now. Adjust it so that you can comfortably fit two fingers between the puppy’s neck and the collar. Be sure it is no tighter as you want your pet to be comfortable.
When you initially begin to use the collar, it will feel strange to your puppy. Give him lots of reassurance and attention to take his mind off it. It will take time before he gets used to the feel of the collar. Once he becomes used to simply having the collar on, you can move forward in training your puppy. Leash training, without a doubt, is easier if you have given your new puppy lots of time just getting used to wearing the collar.
After he has become accustomed to wearing his collar, the next step would be to attach a lightweight, short leash to his collar. The length of the leash should be about three feet or so. Then you are going to allow your puppy to simply drag the leash around for a few minutes at a time. You are trying to have him get used to the feeling of having something fastened to the collar.
Be sure to keep a close eye on him while he is dragging the lead around. He may become frightened and agitated if he gets stuck for any length of time. Your job is to ensure that this doesn’t happen. For right now, simply making him aware that the leash restricts him briefly is enough. Remember, you want this to be a positive experience for your puppy.
Within a few days he will have become accustomed to the feel of the leash. Once this happens, attach the other end of the leash to yourself rather than letting it drag loosely. As your puppy explores, he will get stuck as before. The difference is that this time, you will not go to him to free-up the leash.
Instead crouch down and call his name. Reach out your hand and offer him a toy or treat to try to get him to come to you. Praise him lavishly when he comes to you. Do this for a short time each day. Undo the leash after he has successfully come to you a few times, but always leave on his collar.
When he routinely returns to you when called, your puppy leash training has been a success. You can now move onto the rest of the training program knowing that it will be much easier.
After working with your new puppy teaching him to accept a collar and leash, he will be ready for a rest. Why not provide him with a cozy heated dog bed for inside. Even in summer, he’ll find his bed a warm spot in an air conditioned home. For outside, help him keep cool with a coolaroo dog bed. Coolaroo dog beds sit off the ground allowing for air flow underneath.
