A walk with your puppy can be an enjoyable experience or a bit of a battle, and sometimes it’s both within the same outing! It’s your responsibility to foster a more relaxed and controlled walking style for your canine companion. Understanding why your puppy exhibits undesirable behavior is the first step in redirecting them toward more constructive actions, allowing for more enjoyable and freeing walks. This article will explore common leash-related issues and offer effective solutions.
Puppies naturally pull on the leash because it allows them to reach their destination at their own pace. This behavior isn’t about dominance but rather a learned response that works for them. To prevent your puppy from pulling, it’s crucial to be aware of your body position during walks. If you lag behind, allowing your puppy to take the lead, they may begin to feel “in charge” and start tugging to pull you along.
Puppy Pulling On The Leash
To address leash pulling, several training methods can be employed to teach your puppy to walk politely beside you.
Play the Reward Game
One of the most effective ways to teach your puppy to walk on a leash by your side is to reward them whenever they pay attention to you and perform the desired action—walking beside you at your pace. Positive reinforcement is key to establishing good walking habits.
Encourage Your Puppy to Follow You
Start by holding the leash and taking several steps backward away from your puppy. This action encourages them to follow you. As soon as they approach, reward them with a treat and ample verbal encouragement. This helps them understand that staying close to you is rewarding.
Create a Short Routine in Your Neighborhood
If you’re struggling with training, establishing a short, repeated neighborhood route can be beneficial. A familiar walk reduces distractions for your puppy, making it considerably less stimulating than exploring a new environment each time. This predictability can help them focus on the training.
Burn Off Extra Energy in Advance
Puppies possess a significant amount of excess energy that needs an outlet. If you take them for a walk without allowing them to expend this energy beforehand, they may pull extra hard on the leash. Incorporating an additional exercise session before their walk can help mitigate this problem.
It’s important to remember that while leash pulling is often associated with older dogs, it’s very common among puppies. Therefore, don’t be alarmed if this behavior occurs.
Puppy Biting On The Leash
The most effective way to stop your puppy from biting their leash is to quickly redirect their behavior. Teething can be more frequent during leash training as puppies adjust to the unnatural sensation of restricted movement. Puppies often exhibit a burst of energy, running around and causing a bit of havoc until they’ve expended it, after which they may abruptly nap. A leash restricts this natural behavior, which can initially make your puppy seem more stubborn.
Redirection is a vital aspect of raising a puppy and can be applied across various training sessions, proving 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 mimics a fun and rewarding game. Refrain from this action, even though it may be tempting.
Provide Your Puppy with a Toy
This is where your puppy’s favorite toy becomes instrumental in redirection. Once you stop your puppy from biting the leash, shift their focus by replacing the leash with their favorite toy. This redirects 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 their favorite food. When they associate you with carrying tasty treats, they will be laser-focused on you rather than the leash! Consistent application of these techniques will lead to a more controlled and enjoyable walking experience for both you and your puppy.
