How to Leash Train Your Dog in Charleston, SC

Leash training is one of the most important skills that you can teach to your dog. Your pet needs to be able to walk on the leash properly so that you can take them places and have fun with them. This can also be a big part of your dog being able to be safe when they are out in public with you.

Leash training can feel really overwhelming at first. Thankfully, if you need some guidance, there are some tips and tricks that can make the process much easier for you. Leash training your dog doesn’t have to be a struggle, and you will find that you can easily get your dog trained to perform this behavior with a little patience and consistency.

1. Start Out Slow

Your dog will not learn to walk on a leash in a day. You will need to keep your leash training sessions short at first, and you will need to have reasonable expectations. Help your puppy or dog to learn to like being on the leash by being consistent and patient in your requests. This attitude will make all the difference in how your dog feels about the experience of spending time on the leash.

If you make your dog resentful toward the leash or annoyed with the process of walking on it, you might have to struggle against this issue for months or even years in the future. Being patient and taking it slow is always important, no matter how old your dog is.

2. Use a Cue or Command

Dogs respond well to verbal cues and commands. This means that you can make leash training a lot easier when you choose a verbal cue to tell them to follow you on the leash. You can also use a verbal cue to make them stop walking. This can be a big help in the beginning because your dog will probably be very confused by the leash for a while, but they will have much less confusion about paying attention to your voice.

Some dogs will walk much better on a leash with vocal commands in the mix, even later, after training is over. Not all dogs are good at understanding the parameters of the leash, so verbal cues can be a big help in your training process.

3. Reward with Positivity

When your dog does the right thing, make a big deal out of their actions. Dogs love praise, and they love to be told that you are happy with them for performing a task they are learning. You don’t have to feed treats if you don’t want to, either. Your praise and affection are often more than enough to make your dog want to get leash trained in no time.

Be sure that you just redirect negative energy away from things you don’t want to promote and toward things that you do want to encourage. Keeping your dog positive will help them to learn, and you will improve your bond with your dog when you use this training method as well.

4. Make Sure Your Dog Knows How to Come on Command

The first leash training skill that your dog needs to learn is to come to you when called. This can be key if your dog ever gets away from you or gets into a situation where you need them to get over to you right away. The “come here” command can be taught together with leash training and mutually benefit one another. The leash will allow you to explain to your dog what you mean when you tell them to come to you, and you will also be teaching that the leash has boundaries that are linked with your expectations about their attention being on you.

This can be a great way to train two essential skills at once in no time. Your dog will also be much more likely to learn to come on command when using this method than they ever will if you cannot explain to them what you mean. The “come here” command is often neglected in puppy training, so you will want to be sure to avoid this common pitfall.

5. Pick the Right Kind of Leash

There are many kinds of leashes and collars on the market. Some breeds are more comfortable in one kind of collar and leash than another. If you are having issues with your dog fighting with their leash and collar, you might need to get a different item to lead them with. Some dogs love a simple slip lead that just slides over their head, while others are so strong that they might need a more durable collar and lead.

You might need to work with a dog trainer to get some advice about this part of the training process. Sometimes the right leash and collar can make all the difference in your training efforts.

Teaching Your Dog to Walk on the Leash is Important

Walking on a leash is one of the most important skills that any dog can learn. This is a skill that has a lot to do with safety as well as a lot to do with obedience and bonding with a dog’s owner. The more time and patience that you devote to this skill, the better. Your dog will thank you for using these tips and tricks to help them learn to walk on the leash correctly, and it can be a big relief to know that you can trust your dog on the leash at all times.

Never be afraid to get the help of a dog trainer if you are having issues with walking your dog on a leash or training this skill. Getting the help of a pro can make all the difference in some situations. Being sure that you are doing the right thing can also make the process of spending time training your dog so much more enjoyable for both you and your pet.

Have questions about your dog’s care? Give West Ashley Veterinary Clinic a call at (843) 571-7095 or book an appointment online!