How to Leash Train A Puppy

Do you want to know the easiest way to leash train your new puppy?  Get an early start on that by starting to leash train your puppy at a very young age. By six weeks of age my young puppy could already walk on a loose leash.  By 8 weeks of age, he was already walking in the “heel” position like a champ.

If you use this easy method you should  get very good results without causing the puppy any anxiety.  Some puppies and  dogs hate the very sight of the leash.  A dog or puppy that is afraid of the leash probably wasn’t given the right exposure to it at first.

Use this easy method to begin leash training your puppy with positive reinforcement.I start the leash training of my puppies this way, and they never undergo any negative experiences with the leash. As a matter of fact, they get happy at the sight of the leash, since that means they are about to take a walk with me.

• Begin with placing the puppy’s flat collar around his neck (the choke collar shouldn’t be used at this time). Putting on a collar should not be anything that the puppy resists. Attach the pup’s leash to the collar, but let it lay loose on the ground.  You won’t need to keep ahold of the leash at this point. For the first sessions with the leash, let the puppy walk around the house or yard while he does his thing. Try to walk close by and  make sure his leash doesn’t get caught up on anything.  You puppy probably won’t even notice he’s on the leash if you keep it from getting caught on something.

• The next step to leash training your puppy begins once he’s become used to walking around with his leash dragging along behind him. Now you should pick the end of the pup’s leash up, but still keep it completely slack.  Without trying to control the pup, walk along with him as he checks out the yard.  Being the next step in leash training after your puppy is very used to walking along with you on his loose leash.

• Next you’ll want to teach him to walk without pulling on his leash.  As he walks with you can begin to encourage him to learn to a “loose heel”  by having some treats with you for rewards. If you hold the treat in your left hand it will get the puppy used to the idea of staying by your left side. The left side is the side he will be when he learns to heel. Try calling your puppy to come to your side offering a treat and lots of praise and affection. Positively reinforce this correct behavior each time it happens.

• If the puppy is not listening, try to give him a very gentle pull on the leash to get him to look over and see the treat he’s about to get. Click here for more dog training tips and advice on leash training.Stop Your Dog From Pulling On The Leash

• Always call him  with a friendly upbeat tone of voice, and give him his praise and treat . He’ll soon get the idea. Even at 6 weeks of age, puppies are already in the learning zone. Stay calm and don’t get frustrated as you begin leash training your puppy. Make sure the experience is a positive one for your puppy. Use only positive training techniques to leash train your puppy, (or for any further obedience training). If they are having a good time, your puppy or dog will learn their training much more quickly. This seems to apply to people too.

• Continue repeating this training frequently on a daily basis until your puppy walks comfortably at your side with a loose leash. After learning this loose leash walking, he is well on his way to learning how to heel. That should be all there is to get started with leash training. If you have followed this easy plan, you should have nothing but fun when taking your puppy for a walk on his leash.

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