Leash Training For Puppies
The two most important tools of a dog trainer are the leash and collar. How you use these tools will also influence your dog’s attitude during and after training. Your dog must associate these tools with having fun and play.
How do we teach the dog to like wearing their collar? The best way is to put the dog in a stay position and slip on the collar. Then release the dog with their favorite reward, chasing a tennis ball or playing a tug game. What is important is after the collar goes on, it’s play-time.
Also wearing the collar and not receiving corrections right away helps with the proper association. The leash and collar should be signs of activity with your dog which should make them very happy.
The leash should then be attached and allowed to drag on the ground while the dog is playing. There will be times when your dog steps on the leash giving them a mild nudge against the collar. This will momentarly startle your dog. They will learn to ignore the mild tugs they receive while in play. I let the leash drag at all time when I am with my dog. This way I have a tool to stop them if they start to do something inappropriate. It also gets them used to already being suited up and ready to train. This way the dog does not get used to having the off. The leash is always on, so it become a after thought and they forget about it.
Inside the house I use a 4 foot leash attached to them. Outside I use a 30 foot leash attached to them. When training we must always be prepared to control every situation. If the leash is off, we have no way to do this. So the rule is: When you are with your dog a leash of some size is always on.
NOTE: Never leave a leash on an unattended dog.