How do you leash train a dog?
My 8 month old German Shepherd puppy has been having a difficult time being leash trained. He has only had a leash on once, the day we brought him home as a 6 week old puppy. Since then we havent needed to use a leash, since we lived on a farm and he could go in and out as he pleased. But since we moved to a smaller more confined neighborhood, i feel its important to leash train him. Every time I attempt to train him, once the leash is around his neck he will cower, and go crawl under a table, or lay in a corner. Once i start tugging lightly with encouraging words, and a soft voice, he will lay down, and look at me with scared eyes. Ive tried treats, but they havent worked either, he wants nothing to do with leashes and everytime i have one in my hand he knows whats coming. Can anyone help me or give me advice and steps to training my puppy?
Filed under: How To Train Your Dog
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what type of leash are you using? i would highly reccomend a harness, my dog was ALWAYS a leash puller (for 10 years!) and then i got a harness. instantly she stood by my side! i never thought it could be done.
if your dog is scared of the leash dont put it on him just let him sniff it. speak to him in a gentle and soft voice and just let him sniff it and get comforatable. whenever he sniffs it or touches it with his paw give him a good pet or a treat. once he is comforatable with the leash try putting it on him but not pulling on it or even holding it. let him walk with it on for a little bit (with supervision of course) and praise him if he does not get scared. once hes comforatable with that teach him the easy command and the heel command. soon he will be ready for a walk!
good luck and i hope i helped.
let him drag it around a bit indoors. supervise so he does not get it caught on something.
Just put his collar on and let him get used to it, take him to play while wearing it. Get some nice treats and slowly try to walk him in your yard, those are very smart dogs and don’t take much to train. He was used to running around, this is all new to him, good luck