It's amazing to me that some people actually feel that leash training a dog is cruel to your animal due to the fact that it's restrictive and restraining for the pet. However, the fact is that this is actually the very thing that could keep your dog out of harms way, and potentially save its life.

Dogs are killed or injured all the time by vehicles simply because the dog wasn't kept on a leash by the owner. This also leads to the fact that dogs inadvertently hurt people by bites or jumping, even if the dog is the sort that "couldn't hurt a fly". As well, animals that are unleashed do face the chance of running into other animals that may hurt them. Besides the fact that you're liable for any damage or harm that your dog may cause, it's just crucial to get across the point that your dog should be on a leash to protect the dog itself.

It's very likely that when you decided to get a dog, one of the pictures you had in mind was that of you taking your dog out for nice walks. Training a dog for a leash is a grand experience for both you and your pet for many reasons. One is that when you're training your dog in general (which will give you the greatest experience with your furry friend) it's definitely best to have him/her on a leash in order to have some sort of leverage with the dog.

Of course you want to praise your pooch until he's blue in the face, however having him restrained only makes the job that much easier. However, first you have to leash train your dog, and to do that you must follow certain steps and guideline to make the project go by much easier, and much more smoothly. One of the most important aspects of this is to set the precedent from the beginning of the walk right on through.

Getting Your Dog Ready for the Walk the Right Way!

Leash training most effectively begins before you even leave the house. What I mean is that before you even put the leash on actually, you must be sure that the dog knows that it must be calm - learning to contain its excitement for the walk - and sitting quietly. This may take some time but if you don't follow this step the entire walk could turn out to be quite disastrous actually. You may be wondering how you're supposed to calm an excited dog.

Well, rewarding the dog for it's calm behavior with a treat will usually do the trick. You must be consistent with this however so the dog associates that being calm means a treat. Not giving the dog a treat on some occasions will only make the dog doubt your sincerity. Also, you must show the dog that until he/she is calm, the walk will not happen. You must be firm with this as well, by either not doing anything at all until the dog calms down, or even retreating to what you were doing before such as reading a newspaper or watching TV. As soon as the dog is calm reward and praise, and eventually the doggy will get it.

At first just make the walks short and sweet. Even walking around the backyard will do just to get the dog used to the dog leash itself. Plus the familiarity of the area will help your dog be more relaxed and attentive, since there won't be as many fresh obstacles to explore (or fire hydrants to stop at every block!). As your pooch gets better, you can then take the leap and go out a bit further each time.

Once you get out into the neighborhood and start walking, this is the time to really test your dogs skills. Teaching your dog not to pull is essential here. You should give your dog some freedom, but at first not as much until he/she learns to do what you're there to do, which is walk. Your little buddy will want to stop and sniff every little thing along the path, just to see what it is. One good way to squander this is to walk at a little bit of a fast pace, so that the dog doesn't have time to stop at every little object.

Dealing With Potty Stop While Walking Your Dog...

If your dog needs to pee or poop on the walk -which it will - be prepared. Of course you will need a pooper-scooper of some sort to clean up the mess. You'll also need some patience, as well as a bit of authority. While the dog tries to find the perfect spot, only give him/her about 30 seconds or so until you say "Alright, let's go!" if the dog hasn't gone yet. Walk a bit and then let her try again. After a while she'll get the hint that if she doesn't hurry it up, she's not going to get to go.

Your dog will get excited while leash training on the walks. Your best bet for when the dog starts to pull and get hyper is to simply stop and wait. Let her know that you're not going anywhere until she's calm. Once she calms reward her with a treat and praise, and she'll soon get the idea that calm is good, and hyperness is bad. You may even want to turn around toward the opposite direction back home. Your dog will not like the abrupt ending to the walk and will learn to associate the bad behavior with this sort of ending. However, be sure that when she does calm again you give praise. This will make the whole strategy much more effective.

Things will not go perfectly, probably on any walk ever. However if you give enough praise, and have enough patience now the chance of a 95% good walk is much more obtainable. Most importantly, enjoy this leash training time with your dog, as you watch her grow and learn all of those glorious skills that you're giving her.