Embarking on walks with your puppy can be a delightful experience, or it can turn into a frustrating battle – sometimes even within the same outing! It’s crucial for you, as the owner, to foster a more relaxed and controlled walking style for your canine companion. Understanding the root causes behind your puppy’s undesirable behaviors is the first step toward redirecting them towards more constructive actions, ultimately allowing for more enjoyable and freedom-filled walks.
This guide will delve into three prevalent leash-related issues and offer effective strategies to overcome them.
Puppy Pulling on the Leash
Pulling on the leash is a natural inclination for puppies, enabling them to reach their desired destinations at their own speed. It’s important to understand that this behavior isn’t typically an act of dominance, but rather a learned method because, from their perspective, “it works!”
When walking your puppy, maintaining awareness of your body posture is key. If you find yourself trailing a few steps behind, allowing your puppy to dictate the pace and direction, they will begin to perceive themselves as being “in charge.” This often leads to them tugging on the leash to guide you forward.
To effectively train your puppy to stop pulling, consider these proven methods:
Play the Reward Game
One of the simplest and most effective techniques to teach your puppy to walk calmly by your side is through positive reinforcement. Reward your puppy with a treat and praise each time they pay attention to you and exhibit the desired behavior – walking on a leash beside you at your pace.
Encourage Your Puppy to Follow You
Begin by holding the leash and then moving a few steps backward away from your puppy. This action encourages them to follow you. The moment they approach, reward them with a treat and enthusiastic praise.
Establish a Short Routine in Your Neighborhood
If you’re encountering persistent difficulties with leash training, establishing a consistent, short walking route in your neighborhood can be highly beneficial. A familiar route tends to reduce distractions for your puppy. They will find walking a known path considerably less stimulating than the constant novelty of exploring a new environment on every outing.
Burn Off Excess Energy in Advance
Puppies possess a significant amount of pent-up energy that needs an outlet. If you take them for a walk without allowing them to expend some of this energy beforehand, they are likely to pull harder on the leash. Incorporating an additional exercise session prior to their walk can significantly help in mitigating this problem.
Important Note: While leash pulling is often associated with older dogs, it remains a common issue among puppies. Therefore, do not be alarmed if your puppy exhibits this behavior.
Puppy Biting the Leash
The most effective and swift way to curb your puppy’s habit of biting their leash is through immediate redirection of their behavior. Puppy teething can intensify during leash training as they adjust to the unfamiliar sensation of their movement being restricted. Puppies often exhibit restless behavior and may seem destructive until they have expended their excess energy, after which they might abruptly settle down for a nap. The presence of a leash restricts this natural inclination, which can initially make your puppy appear more stubborn.
As we will explore, redirection is a cornerstone of successful puppy rearing. While applicable across numerous training scenarios, it proves particularly invaluable during leash training.
Avoid Pulling on the Leash
As previously mentioned, tugging on your puppy’s leash can inadvertently reinforce their desire to bite and pull it, as it can be perceived as a fun and rewarding game. Refrain from engaging in this behavior, even when it feels tempting.
Provide Your Puppy with a Toy
Recall the emphasis placed on redirection as a key training method? This is precisely where your puppy’s favorite toy becomes instrumental. Once you have successfully discouraged your puppy from biting the leash, redirect their focus by offering them their preferred toy. By doing so, you are effectively channeling their chewing or biting instincts toward a more appropriate and productive outlet.
Utilize Food for Reward and Redirection
Alternatively, once your puppy releases the leash, recapture their attention by enticing them with their favorite food. When your puppy understands that you consistently carry tasty treats, they will become highly focused on you, rather than the leash!
