Starting at 7-8 weeks old, you can begin leash training your puppy. However, please note that puppies have very short attention spans so it would take a lot of patience. The best age is about ten weeks because they understand routine by this age and follow basic commands.
What is the Best Way to Train a Puppy to Walk on a Leash?
The most effective way for leash training a puppy is rewarding them with treats for their good behavior and positive reinforcement. Most trainers and 99.5% of dog owners believe using reward-based training methods is the best approach to teach dogs new things. Let them wear the harness and leash for short periods of time around the house or while you are playing with them. Give them training treats while wearing the harness to associate fun and treats with it.
Equipment Needed for Leash Training Your Puppy
There are several items you need before starting leash training your puppy right away. One of these essentials is a collar or harness. A snug-fitting harness that can be easily stepped into by the puppy should be used. It also has back fastening options in case one wishes to take off the front part without removing it completely from their dog’s body. The length of the leash should be between 4-6 feet and not retractable in any way whatsoever. Training treats are small, bite-sized pieces of food given as rewards during obedience exercises.
Steps to Take When Teaching Your Puppy How To Walk on a Leash
Let your dog get used to its new collar, harnest, and leash system first before introducing it outside when they go out for walks or runs later on (Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition). Teach him/her some sound cues such as making noise like clapping hands together or saying key words like “yes”. When they hear this sound coming from afar off , let them find you near where you dropped the treat. So any time you make that sound, move some steps back to reward their response. As your puppy learns to walk with you around the house, practice walking him/her inside. Once your pup comes to you and walks a few steps, you can now proceed to walk it on the leash around the house.
Go Outside with Your Puppy
Walking outside is where they learn to walk in most cases for many puppies. There will be more distractions outside which may cause your puppy’s attention to shift elsewhere. Remember patience and positive reinforcement. Do not stop looking at your canine all along . In case she appears distracted, sound an alarm by use of words like “yes” before taking a few paces ahead of her; and thereafter letting her follow suit on leash.
Common Challenges Faced While Leash Training
You may notice several common problems with trying to teach your puppy how to walk on a leash (Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition). Please note that these behaviors are easily corrected through being patient and consistent though. If your dog keeps biting its chain each time it is put on, take it off again so that he understands it is not something edible or chewable but just an instrument for training purposes only. It could also prove difficult training a puppy how not to pull on a leash while walking as well; hence one needs considerable effort in this regard too (Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition). When your dog tries walking towards another direction by pulling its lead stop moving like a tree until it returns back then proceed.
Patience Is Required To Train A Puppy How To Walk On A Leash But You Can Make It
Do not lose hope; puppies are high-energy creatures with shorter attention spans than adults have so as long as we show endurance plus love over time even small strolls throughout neighborhoods are possible eventually (Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition). Finally yet importantly praising their good behavior without responding when they behave badly will also help develop discipline.