How to train a dog to walk on a leash

Training your dog to walk on the leash can take a bit of time but you should be able to do it in quick time, especially with some of the pointers listed out here in this article. With a lightweight leash and collar, your dog would get used to it in no time at all. Do read the article and with these pointers, you should be able to get your dog to walk on a leash, without having to resort to any pulling.

Training your dog is not easy, especially when you keep getting blitzed with one too many methods vis-?vis training your dog. It seems that every pet owner out there has the 憆ight method?to train the dog, with the end result, a misguided pet owner [meaning you] and a very confused pet [your dog]. The first thing that you would need to do is to train your dog to walk on a leash, this is an essential part of his training.?Without this, you may as well forget taking your dog on controlled walks and allow him to roam, as he likes, free and wild. Sure, that may sound great but if you plan on doing just that then be prepared to face Mrs. Wilder [or any other neighbor of yours] making a beeline to you with one too many complaints regarding your dog. With the secrets of a professional dog trainer at your fingertips, you should be able to train your dog to walk on the leash with ease. Here are a few pointers to help you along,

1. Start with the collar ?The collar is the best place to start, since you are just beginning to train your dog to walk on the leash. Dogs by nature, do not like to be restrained, so the minute you put on a collar, they would do their best to get it off. So keep them distracted while you put on the collar, the best way to slip on the collar would be as you play with them. The minute they start wondering what is around their neck and do their best to scratch it off, distract them with a few treats. Tip: start with a lightweight collar, preferably a plastic one.

1. The comfort zone ?Your dog needs to get comfortable with the collar before you can even think of attaching the leash to the collar. Once he gets used to the collar, slip on the leash in the same manner as you slipped the collar on, while playing with him or while petting him. Let him drag the leash behind him; allow him to play with the 憂ew tail?and even chew it a little bit. Once he gets comfy with it, you can start to train him to walk on a leash. Just remember, to keep your eye on your dog while he is dragging his leash behind him, to make sure that nothing untoward happens.

1. Restrain the 憇train??Now that you have completed stage one, you are set for stage two ?that is training your dog to walk on the leash. The key here is to remember not to allow your dog to strain at the leash while walking. Remember that you are the master and make sure to stop every time he strains at the leash [he will do this in the beginning]. Once he gets the message, he will be content to walk at your side without any straining at the leash.

Now, you are all set to have some great walks with your dog. With the help of some of the secrets of a professional dog trainer listed above, you should be able to train your dog to walk on a leash with ease.