Taking your puppy for a walk can be a delightful experience or a challenging battle, sometimes even within the same outing. It’s essential for owners to cultivate a calmer, more controlled walking style for their canine companions. Understanding the root causes behind your puppy’s undesirable leash behaviors is the first step toward redirecting them into more constructive actions, ultimately allowing for more enjoyable and relaxed walks.
This guide addresses three prevalent leash-related issues puppies encounter and offers effective strategies to overcome them.
Puppy Pulling On The Leash
Pulling on the leash is a natural inclination for puppies, allowing them to explore and reach their intended destinations at their own pace. This behavior isn’t typically an act of dominance but rather a learned response because it proves effective for them.
When walking your puppy, maintaining awareness of your body posture is crucial. If you find yourself lingering a few steps behind your puppy, allowing them to set the pace and lead the way, they may begin to perceive themselves as being ‘in charge.’ This can lead to them tugging on the leash to guide you forward.
To effectively train your puppy to stop pulling, several methods can be employed.
Play the Reward Game
One of the simplest yet most effective techniques to teach your puppy to walk calmly on a leash by your side involves rewarding them. Offer a reward each time your puppy demonstrates attention towards you and engages in the desired behavior – walking companionably by your side at your pace.
Encourage Your Puppy to Follow You
To encourage your puppy to follow your lead, hold the leash and then take several steps backward, away from your puppy. This action prompts them to move towards you. As soon as they approach, reward them with a treat and enthusiastic praise.
Establish a Short Routine in Your Neighborhood
If you’re encountering difficulties with leash training, consider establishing a short, consistent walking route within your neighborhood. Familiarity with the path can significantly reduce distractions for your puppy, making the walk considerably less stimulating than encountering a new environment on each outing.
Burn Off Extra Energy in Advance
Puppies possess a considerable amount of pent-up energy that needs an outlet. If you take them for a walk before they’ve had a chance to expend this energy, they may exhibit more forceful pulling on the leash. Incorporating an additional exercise session prior to their walk can help mitigate this issue.
Important Note: While leash pulling is often associated with older dogs, it’s a common behavior among puppies. Therefore, do not be alarmed if your puppy exhibits this tendency.
Puppy Biting On The Leash
The most straightforward and effective method to deter your puppy from biting their leash is through prompt redirection of their behavior. Puppy teething can be more pronounced during leash training as they adjust to the unfamiliar sensation of having their movement restricted. Puppies often engage in energetic play and may seem unruly until they have expended sufficient energy, after which they may abruptly rest. A leash impedes this natural behavior, which can initially make your puppy appear more resistant to training.
As will become apparent, redirection is a paramount aspect of puppy rearing. While applicable across various training scenarios, it proves particularly beneficial during leash training.
Do Not Pull on the Leash
As previously mentioned, tugging on your puppy’s leash can inadvertently reinforce their inclination to bite and pull, as it can be perceived as a fun and rewarding interaction. Refrain from this action, even if it feels instinctive.
Provide Your Puppy with a Toy
Recall the emphasis on redirection as a key training strategy? This is where your puppy’s favorite toy becomes invaluable. Once you have successfully discouraged your puppy from biting the leash, shift their focus by offering them their preferred toy. This action redirects their chewing or biting impulses toward a more appropriate target.
Use Food to Reward and Redirect Your Puppy
Alternatively, after your puppy releases the leash, recapture their attention by offering their favorite food. Once your puppy understands that you have delicious treats, their focus will be solely on you, not the leash!
