We all know that having pets at our home gives us so much joy and satisfaction, but only when it is well behaved. Many people nowadays get a puppy or adopt one from a pet shelter, but how to train a dog to walk on a leash? Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions in the USA is one of the best canine trainers in Sacramento and in this article, we will cover how to give leash training to a dog and how to treat dogs to overcome leash reactivity.
Dog breeds come in different sizes and it is very important to train them to walk on a leash as they can get curious about different smells and a lot of unknown people when you take them out for a walk. This way your dog, you, and the people passing by will be safe.
Dogs tend to get curious as they sniff everything and tend to tug and pull you when they get excited. This is one of the basic and most important training that your dog should get and be disciplined when out. For example, if you have a giant breed and you are small, then there are chances of you getting hurt.
How to Efficiently Train a Dog to Walk on a Leash?
Let us look at how to train a dog to walk on a leash:
1. Accessories
Right from the time you get your furry friend you should accessorize them. There are a lot of products available like collars, body harnesses, and leashes. They say that the first learning happens at home, so once you get the dog or puppy home, put a collar around their neck so that they get acclimatized to it.
To discourage your dog from pulling you can use a head collar or even a front-attachment harness. The best-suggested accessory is the front-attachment harness that will help in discouraging your dog from pulling. If you have an aggressive breed then a head collar is the best recommendation. It is best for breeds that will grow to be giants.
Both these accessories go well with a leash that is at least 6 feet long. If you get a longer leash than 6 feet there are chances of your dog going fast enough and getting hurt.
2. Training them with Markers
Markers can be a particular sound, hand signals, or even clickers. This makes the dog feel that it has done something appropriate, and eventually gets rewarded. You have to converse with them by using simple words like “good†or “yes†or even a thumbs-up signal. But the catch is you have to use only one particular marker and stick as dogs are not humans to understand everything. Once you see that your dog is behaving according to a particular marker then use it forever. This makes the training easy and effective.
3. Positive Association
The first training begins at home, so once you buy a collar or a harness put them on your dog so that they get comfortable with it. You can make them walk in the vicinity of your house, lawn, or garage space, but make sure it is a quiet surrounding as they get distracted. Once they are comfortable with it you can start using the markers and reward them with their favorite treats. Later you can put a leash on the collar or harness and let them play around the house so that they can get used to all of these. Always be positive when you are around your dog and heap them with praises when they follow the markers.
4. Train them to Be Attentive
Before you take them out for a walk, you should make them attentive by using some cues. Eye Contact, Markers, or even some words like “Look†will make your dog understand that he has to respond and this is one of the important tactics before you start to train a dog to walk on a leash. If there is no eye contact then there are possibilities that your dog will start sprinting. You can use the word “No†to make your dog know that he is not doing the right thing.
5. Leash Practice
You can start leash training a dog once it gets comfortable with the collar or harness. But it has to be in the house first. You can use treats, or their favorite toys and throw them a bit ahead and teach them to walk alongside you without pulling. If the dog starts pulling then you have to move backward so that your dog comes along with you. This step will make them understand that they should not pull. You have to practice this step in your house until the dog stops pulling.
6. Treats
Train a dog to walk on a leash by giving them their favorite treats. It can be small pea-sized bits of meat, cheese, or dog biscuits. Reward them every time they obey your commands and praise them. Train them to heel by enticing them with a treat in your hand. This will help as the dog is hungry and learns that if it has to get the treat then it should obey the commands.
7. Ready for the Outside World
Now that the leash training of a dog is over, you can introduce it to the outside world. But be sure as the dog can get curious by looking at too many people and vehicles passing by. Gently nudge them if they get attracted to something so that they know it is wrong.
Conclusion:
Dogs are wonderful creatures but they should be disciplined or else they can cause nuisance by consistent barking, or pulling while walking. This is why it is important to train a dog to walk on a leash and also be disciplined.
Primal Needs Behavioral Solutions is one of the best places to get your dog trained. All types of training are provided right from leash training a dog to discipline and multiple tricks. The company has been in business for a long time and all the customers are satisfied with the training provided. Be it puppies or older dogs are trained at the facility by experts.