How do I train my puppy to walk on a leash?

Question

I got him 4 days ago and let him walk next to me without a leash. Now I put him on a leash, but he tugs and struggles. If I keep the leash hold firm and don't move, he starts choking and coughing. I have to follow him wherever he wants to go. Any suggestions?

What if he just keeps sniffing around in one place? Should I let him sniff or keep walking?

Answer 1

Don't ever pull your dog on the the leash, the leash should be used for leading and discipline only. Short little pops on the leash is the motion you are looking for, just to jolk him out of his distraction.

With the dog on your left side, Hold the end of the leash in your right hand and grab the part near to the dog with your left hand. Your left hand should be holding the leash about 1-2 feet directly above the dogs head, with the collar high up on the dogs neck. (It's very hard to bite the leash in this position and the higher up on the neck you are the less likely you are to hurt the dog.) No slack, but hold it very gently so the dog feels that it is somewhat loose. The dog should stay to your left, close to you, and not walk so far ahead that his butt is in front of you. Stand straight up with confidence, don't slouch.

If the dog pulls or wanders say "no" and pull the leash upwards quickly then release it quickly. Don't get the dog into a pulling contest, and don't pull in a direction other than up. Just pull directly upwards and release quickly while you say "NO". Never pull hard enough to lift the dogs front legs off the ground!

It's ok if he pulls a little during the walk, just correct the biggest mistakes with a quick jerk upward then release. Eventually after several days the dog will stop pulling.

Answer 2

Your putting to much force on the leash.Instead of pulling real tight pull on it just enough so that the dog gets the idea of staying next to you.Jerk the leash every so often.I didn't say pull it,jerk it.You have to be patient with the dog,but consistent in training it.You should not get mad and purposely pull the leash to choke the dog.Your not helping the dog to understand what you want by doing that.You can also take some treats along when you walk him.Give him one each time he does good.Say good boy or girl.You have to let the dog know that you are the master not the dog.There are different ways to train a dog,go to the library and pick up a book or two how to train a dog.That should help a lot.

Answer 3

PLEASE read this:
The Monks of New Skete is a book I read before I adopted my dog b/c I wanted him to be a companion, not a pet. Now they have DVD's and I would strongly recommend their method. You should NEVER "pop" a leash on a dog, let alone a puppy. You should not use a choke collar. You should not use an extender kind of leash when training. You should never hit your animal, especially not from above and especially not with an object. These are all good ways to make your dog fear and dislike you. You want your animal to respect and love you, so you must reciprocate.
ALL YOU NEED to train your dog to walk on a leash is TIME, PATIENCE, and a 6 foot nylon lead (+nylon collar). It is this easy: EVERY time the dog pulls, stop walking. This might mean walking one or two steps and stopping. The dog will learn that the only way he is going to walk is to walk with you and that if he pulls, the walk will stop. This is foolproof, but it takes a lot of patience, which you should have if you've gotten a puppy.
There are many more details about walking, correction, etc. from the Monks of New Skete. They tell you ways that WORK to make your dog understand who is in charge and how to behave in ways that DOGS understand.

Answer 4

Hi there, I would put her collar and leash on her, take her in the back yard or a park where you and her both are safe and maybe take some toys with you to play. Just let her drag the leash around to get use to the feel of it. You can also do it in your own home. Maybe throw a ball and once she gets use to the feel of the leash, pick it up and follow her for now. I would also try coaxing her with treats also. Good luck. Alot of puppies don't like the leashes at first and maybe someone did put it on her and drag her. I do agree, that's not the way to teach her to come to you. People forget that animals have feelings too.

Answer 5

if your puppy is young then he won't like the leash that much. just put him next to you while he's on the leash. stand there with slack in the leash. also have a rolled up news paper. when he bites at it swat him. make sure that he doesn't know where the punishment came from. so hide the paper or magazine behind you quickly. then correct him. he should stop after a few times. the purpose is to make alot of noise with the paper not to hurt him if you make alot of noise he will think he's hurt without being hurt. if this doesn't work, just keep slack in the leash when he pulls or tugs pop the leash. not to hurt him but get his attention

Answer 6

You have to do this everyday and I would suggest a harness (goes around chest and upper body area) type with a leash so he does not choke when he tugs. It is a matter of getting used to it. My puppy would not do it either and eventually did and now she is 2 years old and when she sees the leash, she runs to the door and waits for me to clip it on her harness. As she/he learns to be on a leash, then you can leave her off the leash as long as she knows that at times she will be with it.

Answer 7

The breeder gave yuo the best answer. I just brought my puppy to puppy training classes and that's what they told me. If you don't want or can't afford a harness it's ok just attach the leash inside and let him walk around like that for awhile. As for the sniffing I let Hunter sniff for awhile but he needs to know I am boss so not long just give him a tug and he should start back on his way. Good luck and have fun. Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies..... That's a magnet I have I love it

Answer 8

It seems cruel, to continue keeping him on a leash, but, I think your doing the right thing, by starting him, at this age! Just be persistant, about it, and dont make it so loose that he can wiggle out of it, but also dont make it so tight that he's uncomfortable. Sniffing around is natural, for dogs, to do, this is also a dog/type of rebelling about the leash issue..... Their trying to let you know they dont like it anyway, they can. But, eventually he'll get use to it. Its sort of heart breaking, just like weening a baby from the bottle, but, once he's used to it, everyone can relax, and all your efforts will have been paid-off!!! Good-Luck!! I'd also check his collar, by putting two fingers between, if you cant, then its definately too tight !! Ease, up a notch, maybe two. Have Fun!!

Answer 9

I had the same problem when I first got my puppy. They want to be in charge. When he didn't want to walk he would just park his butt and not move. Luckily I have another older dog and he finally started to follow her and it only took about a week for him to catch on. Sometimes if you hold a treat in front of them and make them come to you to get it while on the leash that will help. I practiced doing this and just walking a little bit with him in the house and he was better that way. Now he loves to go for walks but they have to learn who the boss is. You...not them. Also never let them go out the door ahead of you. Always go out first and them behind you. This is just one little way of affirming that you are in charge.
Good Luck.

Answer 10

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aMPNh

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.