Puppies that have been allowed to run to the end of their leash and investigate the world without control from their owners can turn into easily distracted dogs. These dogs often chew their leash, tow their owners, investigate every object on the ground, tear after other dogs, and refuse to comply with their owners' commands. Easily distracted dogs need to learn lead manners.
Solving Dog Leash Training Problems
It's Not A Race
Keep your dog interested in being with you. Let it know that you have its favourite toy or treat, and reward good walking behavior. If your dog tows you, walk in the opposite direction. Do not let it race you anywhere.
You Shouldn't Need To Drag Your Dog
Try to find out why your dog lies down and refuses to walk. Make sure there is nothing in the dog's immediate environment at the basis of its fear - a backfiring car (or similar loud noises), for example, can make a dog think that its immediate environment is attacking it.
Walking with another steady dog can often help overcome this situation. If your dog refuses to walk, loosen the pressure on its collar and encourage it forwards. Don't put pressure on your dogs collar as this will only frighten or intimidate it more. Help him relax and try to rebuild his confidence.
The Problem - Climbing and chewing
To young and boisterous dogs, leashes are exciting new toys. These dogs sometimes chew their leads in a playful way, or even try to climb them. Obviously chewing a leash is far from ideal and needs to be discouraged by offering a more pleasant alternative or making the lead decidedly un pleasant.
The Remedy - Spray the lead
Make the lead unpleasant to chew by spraying it with a bitter-tasting liquid. When the dog tries to chew or climb the lead, it is disciplined by the unpleasant taste, rather than by you. In this way you are not seen as the "enemy" by discouraging the behavior. The dog will simply take a disliking to the leash.
The Problem - Collapsing submissively
While some dogs collapse because they are intimidated when brought back to the heel position, others regard it as a game, and roll over in play.
The Remedy - Use a toy
If the dog collapses on the ground, take a step or two backwards, and then use a favourite toy to excite the dog and induce it to get up.
Solving Dog Leash Training Problems
It's Not A Race
Keep your dog interested in being with you. Let it know that you have its favourite toy or treat, and reward good walking behavior. If your dog tows you, walk in the opposite direction. Do not let it race you anywhere.
You Shouldn't Need To Drag Your Dog
Try to find out why your dog lies down and refuses to walk. Make sure there is nothing in the dog's immediate environment at the basis of its fear - a backfiring car (or similar loud noises), for example, can make a dog think that its immediate environment is attacking it.
Walking with another steady dog can often help overcome this situation. If your dog refuses to walk, loosen the pressure on its collar and encourage it forwards. Don't put pressure on your dogs collar as this will only frighten or intimidate it more. Help him relax and try to rebuild his confidence.
The Problem - Climbing and chewing
To young and boisterous dogs, leashes are exciting new toys. These dogs sometimes chew their leads in a playful way, or even try to climb them. Obviously chewing a leash is far from ideal and needs to be discouraged by offering a more pleasant alternative or making the lead decidedly un pleasant.
The Remedy - Spray the lead
Make the lead unpleasant to chew by spraying it with a bitter-tasting liquid. When the dog tries to chew or climb the lead, it is disciplined by the unpleasant taste, rather than by you. In this way you are not seen as the "enemy" by discouraging the behavior. The dog will simply take a disliking to the leash.
The Problem - Collapsing submissively
While some dogs collapse because they are intimidated when brought back to the heel position, others regard it as a game, and roll over in play.
The Remedy - Use a toy
If the dog collapses on the ground, take a step or two backwards, and then use a favourite toy to excite the dog and induce it to get up.
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