Using Dog Leash Training to Control Your Pooch
Kevin Simmons
Many pet owners don’t like using a leash, for a wide variety of
reasons: “My dog stays right next to me.” “He pulls the leash too
much.” “My dog wants to explore on his own terms.” “I feel like a
leash restricts my dog, and I don’t believe in that.”
However, in order to keep your dog safe, you require control of
your pet. Your dog also needs to know this, to ensure he’s aware
who the boss is. And, once you train your dog to not pull on his
leash, or other bothersome behaviors (take a course through a
local dog obedience school), you’ll figure out just how fantastic
dog leash training really is.
A dog that doesn’t have any boundaries, such as a leash and an
owner, doesn’t realize that others have boundaries that he is
required to respect. Proper dog leash training will show your pet
what is expected of him at all times, no matter what is thrown at
him. You cannot control if another dog attacks your pet, runs out
into traffic, gets distracted by a wild animal or is so excited
that he’s not paying attention to his surroundings if your dog is
unleashed. But with some dog leash training and a few commands he
recognizes, you’ll have the utmost of control in almost any
situation.
Essentially, you are teaching your dog respect with a leash. And
this training requires frequent, consistent, and appropriately
timed positive reinforcement. Without a leash, this is pretty
difficult.
If your dog, for instance, doesn’t respond well to the command,
‘Come’, then using a leash can help with this skill tremendously.
Try it the next time you go for a walk. Put the leash on your
dog, and go for a leisurely walk where you know he’ll be tempted
to do something he’s not supposed to. When he does it, gently
say, “Come”. If he does not respond right away, use the leash
(once again, gently – you don’t want to choke or otherwise hurt
your dog!) to tell him what is expected of him, while saying the
word, “Come” again. Repeat this until your dog comes to you, and
then praise him instantly.
Do this consistently over a couple of days, and you’ll notice
just how much easier it gets each time. Soon, you won’t even need
to remind your dog of your command with the leash – he’ll just
respond appropriately and immediately, and you’ll praise him just
the same.
Learning how to control your animal using dog leash training is
an important respect lesson for both of you, and should be used
regularly to achieve the highest results.
(c) 2005 dog-training-info.com.
Kevin Simmons is the webmaster of
http://www.dog-training-info.com
Please visit the site for more free dog training articles.
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