Lead training is an essential part of owning a dog. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog that needs a refresher, proper lead training can make walks more enjoyable and safe for both you and your furry friend. In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of lead training and provide tips to help you succeed.
Why lead training is important
Lead training is crucial for several reasons.
First and foremost, it keeps your dog safe. When your dog is on a lead, you have more control over their movements, preventing them from running into traffic or getting into other dangerous situations.
Secondly, lead training can help prevent behaviour issues such as pulling, lunging, or jumping on people. When your dog is well behaved and walks well on a lead, you will enjoy walks more, and the likelihood is that you will go out more with your dog, and the exercise is good for you both.
And finally, the mental stimulation is great for your dog. Many dogs spent a lot of time at home, which can get boring (and boredom can lead to a number of other undesirable behaviours) and getting out on a walk experiencing new sights, smells, sounds, people and dogs is great mental stimulation for your dog and will ultimately help in socialising them and developing them into a well balanced, happy and healthy dog.
Getting started with lead training
Choose ahead of starting any training the commands you want to use with your dog and then be consistent with the commands you use. It can be very confusing for your dog if you are asking them to 'stop', 'don't pull' 'whoa', 'wait', 'don't do that', 'stop pulling', 'stop it' all to achieve them walking calmly on the lead without pulling. Which words you choose are up to you, the important bit is that you use the same word consistently for each command or action you want your dog to take, and then of course reward them immediately when you get an appropriate response, even if it isn't long lived! They will learn and the response will improve as they understand what you want them to do. Some examples of useful command words are:
Heel: to walk on the lead without pulling, or to walk by your heel. The objective at the start of the training is to get your dog to walk with you on a loose lead, not glued to your leg as you might see in some obedience trials (this requires a very high level of obedience training, is unrealistic for the start of training, and unnecessary for the majority of dog owners). Once the dog has understood this command and is consistently maintaining this on the lead, you can advance to training to 'heel' off the lead if you want to, but be sure to do this at first in an enclosed space, with few distractions.
Come: to ask the dog to return to you. You could replace this with 'Here'.
Sit: to ask the dog to sit
Stay: to ask the dog to remain where they are, either sat, stood or lying down even when you move away from them
Wait: this could replace the 'Stay' command, but I personally find this a useful command to ask them to wait for another command, such as waiting for their food. This can be especially useful for dogs who have a tendency to be food possessive , or bolt their food, and teaches them some restraint.
Good Boy/Good Girl: perhaps the most important command, positive reinforcement is critical in all dog training and should be delivered in an upbeat tone to help communicate your happiness to your dog
Down: to ask your dog to lie down. Be careful to differentiate this command from asking your dog to get off the sofa!
Off: this is the command I would use to ask the dog to get off the sofa! I also use this command to tell the dog not to jump up at people.
That'll do: to signify the end of a training session, always ending on a positive note and followed by plenty of praise ("Good Boy/Good Girl") and rewards (toy or treat).
Before you start lead training, you’ll need a few supplies.
A sturdy, well-fitting collar and a harness is essential. There are many to choose from so it is important to choose one that fits well and is a suitable size and weight for your dog. The collar must also have a tag (although you could put a tag on a harness) with your name and telephone number on it at the very least.
A reliable lead. It’s important to choose the right length and material for your dog’s size and strength. Also pay attention to the weight of the clip, it must be substantial enough if you have a larger breed, but not too heavy for smaller breeds. A six-foot (2m) lead made of nylon or leather is a good starting point for most dogs. A clip at both ends and a variety of loops along the length of the lead will give you multiple options. Retractable leads are great for giving your dog more freedom without letting them off the lead, but ensure you are able to retract and release it efficiently to maximise your control, and your dogs comfort. Don't ever use the retraction to drag your dog back to you, unless it is an emergency.
A treat pouch or bag is a really useful item to have so that you always have rewards ready to support your training (and don't end up with coat pockets full of dog treat crumbs going mouldy!)
Treats/Rewards: find out what gets your dogs attention best - many are well motivated by tasty treats, some are more motivated by a favourite toy, it will vary from dog to dog. There are many types of food treats available, but you should choose something that is relatively small and easily consumed, and make an allowance in their feed for the treats they will receive as part of their training to avoid your dog becoming overweight. You could use a handful of their usual dry kibble, or a specific training treat, or simply small cubes of cheddar cheese.
A portable water bottle with integrated bowl, or separate collapsible bowl and bottle for water to give your dog a drink. All those treats will make your dog thirsty and it is hard to concentrate when you're thirsty!
Dog poop bags, best carried in a dispenser attached to your belt or to the dogs lead handle. A couple of squares of kitchen roll in your pocket can also be useful for messier clean ups, and you may like to carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser or wet wipes.
Your vets telephone number, stored on your mobile phone, in the unlikely event your dog has an accident. Best to be prepared!
The first step in lead training is getting your dog used to wearing their collar or harness. Start by putting it on for short periods at home each day, gradually increasing the length of time as your dog becomes more comfortable. Once your dog is comfortable with their collar or harness, it’s time to introduce the lead.
Begin by attaching the lead to your dog's harness while they are indoors. Let them walk around with the lead dragging behind them, but be sure to supervise them at all times to prevent any accidents. Once your dog is comfortable with the lead dragging behind them, it’s time to pick it up and start walking with them.
Training your dog to walk on a lead
To start lead training, find a quiet, distraction-free area where you can focus on your dog. Hold the lead with both hands, keeping it loose and relaxed. If your dog pulls or lunges, stop walking and stand still until they calm down. Don’t pull on the lead or drag your dog, as this can cause injury and make them afraid of the lead.
Encourage your dog to walk beside you by using positive reinforcement techniques such as treats or praise. You can hold a favourite treat in your hands, clasped in front of your stomach or groin so that the dog focuses on that, then walk forward a few paces. If your dog walks with you, praise them and give the treat. Then repeat, walking a little further each time. If your dog is distracted or not paying attention, make sure they know you have the treat and then move forward. Even if you only hold their attention for a step or two, praise and treat, then repeat.
As your dog becomes more comfortable walking on the lead , gradually increase the amount of time you spend on walks and the distance you travel. Over time, your dog will learn to walk calmly on the lead and respond to your commands.
To begin with, keep your training sessions short, make them fun and enjoyable experiences for your dog, and always end on a positive. To begin with it might be best to go on several short walks each day, to constantly reinforce the training, than one really long walk where your dog is more likely to become tired and/or distracted.
Dealing with common lead training issues
Even with proper training, dogs can still experience common issues such as pulling, lunging, or jumping on people. It’s important to address these issues early on to prevent them from becoming ingrained habits.
If your dog pulls on the lead , stop walking and stand still and quiet until they calm down. Use their name to get their attention and have a treat ready. Once they are calmly focused on you use the positive reinforcement techniques (treats or toy, and praise) and then walk on. Repeat this process until your dog learns to walk calmly on the lead. This can make your walk feel very stop/start but putting in the effort at the beginning, will pay you huge dividends once you have a dog will will walk calmly on the lead.
If your dog lunges or jumps on people, it’s important to redirect their attention to you. Use their name, and carry treats or a favourite toy on walks and use them to encourage your dog to focus on you instead of other people or animals. It’s also important to socialize your dog with other people and dogs to help them learn appropriate behaviour.
Conclusion
Lead training is an essential part of owning a dog. It not only keeps your dog safe but also makes walks more enjoyable and stress-free for both you and your furry friend. Remember to start slowly, use positive reinforcement techniques, keep training sessions short and fun for your dog, and address any common issues early on to ensure success. With patience and persistence, you will have a well-trained dog that walks calmly on a lead.
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