Training is an integral part of owning a dog. It helps ensure that you and your dog remain happy since there are no worries about unruly behavior or scolding sessions.
With that said, many pet owners believe that dog training needs a professional hand when that isn't the case. You, a loving dog owner, can also train your dog, provided that you do your research and exercise patience.
Are you ready to start with your dog's training? Here are some tips if you're planning to teach them to walk on a leash.
1. Get Your Dog Acquainted with the Equipment
The first thing you need to do is introduce your dog to the dog collar or harness you'll be using to take them out on a walk. Doing so is essential because your dog can get used to it before you take them out on a walk.
If you wish to associate the dog collar or harness with something positive, you can also give your pet some treats when making them wear their equipment. This way, they can start enjoying their dog collar since they have linked it to yummy treats.
2. Teach Your Dog a Cue
Dog training is often about associating good behavior with rewards. The same applies to teaching your dog to walk on a leash. You can move forward and teach them a cue after you get them used to the dog collar or harness.
A cue is any signal that allows your dog to know that they have done something good, which means a reward. You can use many cues, but treats, voice commands, and even pets are the most popular ones.
3. Train Your Dog to Give Attention
Getting your dog to focus on you is another important aspect of dog training. The outside world is full of stimulants, so you need to ensure that your dog will turn to you if you call on them.
You can train your dog to give attention with the cue you just taught them. Use this cue and slowly move backwards, ensuring they're following you. You can gradually increase the distance every day while consistently rewarding them for good behavior.
4. Start the Leash Training
Does your dog know to follow cues and give attention? The next step is taking your dog out on a walk. It's time to start the training. Make sure that you're patient since your dog might not immediately learn how to walk on a leash.
It's best to start with very short walks before slowly increasing the length of your walk. While doing this, you can also use the trigger you have established to reward your dog.
5. Practice Consistency
The training will continue until you can walk your dog a few blocks in a row with no problems. Once you reach this level of consistency, you can reward your dog and give them a treat. If you have done the training consistently and have been persistent, your dog will now know how to walk on a leash.
As you and your dog continue to walk together, they will naturally get used to your training. Consistency is vital in dog training as well as any other training program.
Conclusion
Training your dog to walk on a leash is fun and rewarding, especially when they respond to your cue consistently. These tips provide you with a more straightforward path to reach your goal of teaching your dog to walk on a leash.
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