A walk with your puppy can be an enjoyable experience or a bit of a battle, sometimes even within the same outing! It’s your responsibility as a dog owner to foster a more relaxed and controlled walking style for your canine companion. Understanding why your puppy exhibits undesirable behavior on leash is the first step towards redirecting them to a more constructive behavior, allowing for more pleasant and free-flowing walks. This guide addresses three common leash-related issues and offers effective solutions.
Puppy Pulling On The Leash
Pulling on the leash is a natural response for puppies as they explore their environment at their own pace. This behavior stems not from dominance, but simply from what has proven effective for them. When walking your puppy, be mindful of your body position. If you find yourself trailing a few steps behind, allowing your puppy to take the lead, they may begin to feel as though they are in charge, leading to tugging and pulling to move you along.
Play the Reward Game
One of the simplest and most effective methods to teach your puppy to walk beside you on a leash is to reward them every time they focus on you and perform the desired action – walking calmly at your side and pace.
Encourage Your Puppy to Follow You
Gently hold the leash and take a few steps backward, away from your puppy. This action encourages them to follow you. As soon as they approach, reward them with a treat and enthusiastic praise.
Create a Short Routine in Your Neighborhood
If you’re struggling with leash training, establishing a short, repeated walking route in your neighborhood can be beneficial. A familiar walk reduces distractions for your puppy, making it considerably less stimulating than exploring a new place each time.
Burn Off Extra Energy in Advance
Puppies possess a considerable amount of excess energy that needs an outlet. If you take them for a walk without allowing them to expend this energy beforehand, they are more likely to pull excessively on the leash. Incorporating an additional exercise session before their walk can significantly help combat this problem. It’s important to note that while leash pulling is often associated with older dogs, it is also common among puppies, so don’t be alarmed if this occurs.
Puppy Biting On The Leash
The most effective way to deter your puppy from biting their leash is to quickly redirect their behavior. Puppy teething can intensify during leash training as they adjust to the unusual sensation of having their movement restricted. Puppies often have bursts of energy, running around and being boisterous until they’ve expended it, after which they may abruptly nap. A leash limits this natural behavior, which can initially make your puppy seem more stubborn. Redirection is a crucial aspect of raising a puppy and is particularly useful during leash training.
Don’t Pull on the Leash
As previously mentioned, tugging on your puppy’s leash can reinforce their desire to bite and pull it, as it becomes a fun and rewarding game. Resist the temptation to engage in this, even when it feels instinctive.
Provide Your Puppy with a Toy
This is where redirection, a key training method, comes into play. Once you’ve stopped your puppy from biting the leash, shift their focus by offering their favorite toy. By doing this, you redirect their chewing and biting behavior to a more appropriate outlet.
Use Food to Reward and Redirect Your Puppy
Alternatively, once your puppy releases the leash, refocus their attention by enticing them with a favorite food treat. When your puppy understands that you have tasty treats, they will become highly focused on you rather than the leash!
