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Collar and Leash Training

Teaching Your Puppy to Use a Collar and Leash

Introducing Your Puppy to Collar and Leash Training is a Simple Task.

This task of introducing your puppy to their first collar and leash should begin inside the home. To begin training, we suggest using a 6 foot nylon dog leash and a plain nylon collar. Save yourself a few bucks and wait before you buy any fancy collars. Your puppy has a lot of growing to do if fairly young and will outgrow their first few collars within months. In fact, you may see yourself buying 2 to 3 collars by the time puppy is a year old, depending on the breed. Collar size should be wide enough for you to fit two of your fingers inbetween the collar and your dog's neck.

We think you will find this introduction easier if you begin with something positive! "What", you ask? When puppy is eating of course!

5 EASY STEPS For Collar and Leash Training

These five easy steps will help you get your new dog acquainted with its collar without inducing fear. Afterall, you want the collar associated with good things.

1.  Place Collar On Puppy:  Begin by placing the collar on your puppy while eating his or her meal.
By associating the leash and collar with something pleasant (food) your puppy gets used to having the collar around his neck. Let puppy get used to the collar around its neck while eating during the first few days.

2.  Attaching Leash:  When puppy is comfortable with the collar, attach the leash while (he (or she) is eating. Follow him (or her) around the house for a few minutes - wandering with the leash still attached. Do this for a few days extending the length of time, but do so slowly. Remember to praise!

3.  Take Puppy Outdoors:  Once you feel comfortable walking around the house, take puppy outdoors. While walking, hold the leash loop in your right hand, while coaxing the pup with your left hand holding treats. Puppy should be walking on your left side as well. Be sure not to allow pulling or straining on the leash at this point. Lure him back to you with praise and treats. Make these walking experiences pleasant!

* NOTE:   Be cautious - Puppy should have its vaccinations before going outdoors for the protection of airborne dog diseases puppies can be most susceptible to.

4.  Prevent Puppy From Chewing On Leash With Distractions:  If puppy plays or chews at the leash, (and he most likely will!) provide distractions. To get their mind off chewing the leash, encourage puppy to move forward using treats and praise him when he does well. By using body language and the puppy's name to attract puppy to follow, you can make leash walking a fun game. When finished reward excitingly with praise and a treat! This keeps puppy's mind on walking toward you, not chewing or resisting the leash as you begin walking. Be persistant - puppy is just learning and has a very short attention span. Keep walking sessions short - no more than 15 minutes.

5.  Avoid Being Pulled With Clockwise Turns:  If puppy starts to pull forward, dragging you, do clockwise turns and walk in another direction. Doing clockwise turns will pull their head to the side so puppy has to hurry to catch up with you. Repeat the exercise until your dog learns that if he wants to receive your praise, he (or she) will have to stay by your side.

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There you have it - These 5 easy steps should help guide your training along quickly. Collar and leash training basics can, and should be fun! Don't expect too much all at once. Like people, dogs learn at different rates. Temperament and energy level will influence how quickly your puppy learns.

If the above tactics don't provide you with any resolutions to your collar and leash training, you could visit our recommended dog training e-books and begin all aspects of your dog training from a professional dog trainer in minutes. Well worth the money spent if you truely want an obedient dog. Have fun and best of luck to you and your new pooch!

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Understanding your new puppy and their thinking is an important aspect of training. Perserverance, practice and patience will pay off in the end! Keep your dog leashed at all times outdoors. In fact, most areas are required by law to have dogs leashed when outdoors and when not in confined areas. As always, consult your local dog trainer if problems persist in any of your training. We highly recommend signing up for puppy classes if possible. They are a great introduction for both you and your puppy.

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