Puppy Leash Training - Here's How

Training your new puppy to accept a collar and lease is the key to successful training. This is called puppy leash training and it can start just as soon as he is settled in his new home.

When you train your puppy to become used to a collar and leash, you are establishing the idea that you are in control. This is a really important point for your dog to understand if your training is going to be successful.

As soon as you can get your puppy to live with his collar and lead, you will be able to start focusing on other areas. Here's how to train him to accept his collar and lead.

Be sure to buy a collar that is puppy size. Don't get one that you think he will grow into. If it's too loose he won't keep it on. But on the other hand, it should be big enough that you can adjust it for awhile. The rule of thumb for sizing is that you are able to fit two of your fingers comfortably between the collar and his neck.

When you first put the collar around his neck give him lots of attention to take his mind off the collar. Don't rush this step. Once be gets used to wearing the collar you can move onto the next step in training your puppy. Lease training is so much easier if you have given your puppy enough time to get used to just wearing a collar.

Next, attach a short but very light leash to the collar. Make sure the leash is not any more then about three feet. Let your puppy drag the leash around for short periods of time. You want him to get used to how it feels to have something attached to his 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.

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