Became a pet parent for the first time? Worried about training your puppy all by yourself? If you find yourself facing such problems, then you are at the right place.

First time pet parents are often in a dilemma whether to train their puppy themselves or to hire a trainer to train their puppy. Hiring a trainer or sending them to training school can be pricy as hell.

Why waste your hard earned money when you can follow the simple strategies to train your fur babies to walk on a leash at the comfort of your home?

Just a few more minutes and you will have the complete guidelines to train your puppy in the easiest and most effective way. You will be learning how to leash train, when to start leash training and many more. So buckle up and hold tight!

Why to train your dog?

Puppies have bundle of energy and excitement. Their energy needs to be channelized into productive areas so that their owners can leave them unsupervised and teach them to socialize with the other dogs. Training can help them to deal with separation anxiety and build confidence being alone. Puppies can comfortably adjust in various situations and have control on their impulses.

When to start leash training a puppy?

Although there is no fixed timeline when leash training of a puppy should be started, but the effectiveness will be more if it is started as early as 8 weeks old. Leash or harness can be introduced to the puppy for shorter durations, before starting to take them for long walks outdoors.

Although heavy duty dog leashes are available, you need to choose the leash wisely according to the size of your dog. Gradually the puppy will have the habit of walking beside you, even without a leash, if effective leash training has been done. Puppies have shorter attention span; therefore you need to stay prepared with a lot of patience.

How to train a puppy to walk on a leash?

A common yet inappropriate way generally used by people to train their puppy is by pulling their leash. Instead of helping it out, it is going to pose a problem in leash training. Before we delve deep into the effective way of leash training a puppy, there are certain supplies you need to have with yourself before you start.

• Leash/harness

• Treats

• A lot of patience!

Below is a step-by-step guide to teach your puppy to walk on a leash:

Step 1: Introduce your puppy to the leash

Make your puppy wears the leash for short duration while staying indoors. Give time to your fur baby to sniff it and become comfortable with it. You can go with automatic retractable dog leash which can be extended from 5 to 8 metres.

Step 2: Associate sound with action

Choose a word like ‘Come’ or ‘Let’s go’ or sound like that of a whistle or a bell to associate it with your action of asking the puppy to come to you and wear the leash.

Step 3: Encourage your puppy to follow you

For this, place the treats in your hand, let the puppy sniff it and slowly start giving the treats to the puppy while on leash, as it walks along with you. Make sure the treats are healthy. The treat you offer must be according to the size of your puppy and should be adjusted in the meal. Colorful treats is a big no!

Step 4: Practice walking indoors

Short indoor walks are advisable so that the puppy starts to get comfortable with the leash. Practice it 3-4 times in a day so that the puppy is able to retain all that was taught.

Step 5: Practice walking in different environments

The best way to leash train a puppy is to try taking them in areas where there are distractions. Your puppy may not react as it reacted indoors, but exposing them to various situations will teach them to gradually develop a habit of reacting calmly in different situations.

Puppy training tips

• The first walk with a leash in any environment should be short.

• Pick a side when going for a walk as it will help you to have better control on the leash.

• Do not give treats to your puppy while it is pulling the leash. Treats must be given only when the puppy has stopped pulling.

• If you struggle with leash training, do not hesitate to take the help of a trainer who can make a personalised plan for you and make the learning experience of your puppy more delightful.

• Chew resistant dog leash can be used when your puppy is in the biting stage. Such leashes are easily available and they do not possess any harm to the puppy.

Conclusion

Puppy training can be a wonderful experience if you follow the above strategies. Choose the leash carefully which serves the purpose of training and is according to the needs of the dog.

Want to provide the best comfort to your puppy? Explore a wide range of leashes, toys, beddings, grooming products, travel accessories and many more at PetBuds: Online Pet Shop and pamper your fur babies.

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