I just got a puppy. Anyone have any ideas on how to leash-train him?

Question

He is an 8-week old Border/Collie/Lab/Pit Bull mix. He is very playful, loves to bit things (especially my carpet and bathroom cabinet) and he is nearly house-trained, with the exception of a couple of accidents. I just can't seem to get him to walk next to me with the leash on without him running between my legs and biting on the leash.

I may sound a little dumbfounded by asking this question, but what are the differences in collar types? The collar that he has now almost has a seatbelt-type clasp on it.

Answer 1

Keep your leash short so he can't get anywhere other than your right side. Do not let him walk in front of you. This is making him the alpha. Play with him for a little while before working on the leash so some of the energy is out of the system. When he tries to go where you don't want him to be give the leash a little tug at the first sign that he is going to try to go anywhere other than at your side. Do not use a choker collar as these can crush the trachea and cause serious damage. Try a pinch collar. They look mean but if you put it on your arm and pull it only pinches and is uncomfortable. They work great!!! Good luck.

Answer 2

We have had our dogs in training for some time for shows and agility and both have received their CGC awards (canine good citizen awards). First, I have to say that some things I see in the other answers are incorrect so I am going to give you a few correct tips on how to approach this. You can choose to take the advice or leave it but I guarantee you if you try this and be consisant you will see remarkle results and a pet who repsects you.
First, you want to purchase a collar that is the right size for your dog. In doing this, you dont want it too tight or too large. Maybe have a pet store help you size it if you are unsure. After you put it on you should be able to get your first two fingers between the pet and collar to know it is comfortable but not going to come off. Second, a choker collar is for training only and must be put on correctly. The correct way is to make the letter P holding this chain up and looping it through and that is how it should be looped. Then you put over the pets head. The prong type should only be used on larger breeds and any chokers for training purposes only. The correct way to use this is sharp quick snaps, do not drag the animal to follow you in one of these. We have never heard of an animal hurting the windpipe or trachea during training or any damage but I suppose it could happen if one wore it all the time on a cable or other... sharp quick pops is all needed when training. Do not use a choker untilt he puppy is at least 3 months old. you can try to train without a choker to see how the puppy will respond before getting one. Keep the leash short but with enough slack to be able to pull with short pops. ALWAYS keep the pet on your LEFT side. Hold the leash the proper way as the leash loop should be in your right hand with the thumb in loop and the left hand should be holding the rest. This gives you the proper holding of the leash. Feel free to contact any training facilily and they will also tell you this is the correct way to do this. When the pet does walk next to you correctly always praise the pet highly. 20% correction and 80% praise. We have trained two beautiful rottweilers and they have done a great job. Good Luck to you and remember this takes time and patience and being consistant. Been in this for 10 plus yrs---
You will notice how your pet begins to look up at you awaiting for your next command. :) What respect and love for the owner. :) All the best to you and your pet.

Answer 3

An 8 week old pup is going to want to play all of the time, it's what they do. Don't give him enough leash to chew on and if he starts to chew on it gently take it out of his mouth and try walking again, he will get the idea. Also, don't give him enough leash to run wherever he wants keep him on a short leash and try to guide where he goes. NEVER put a prong collar on an 8 week old puppy and if you decide to use one you should be aware that it can not be left on the dog all of the time and you should wait until at least 4 months. A good trainer will be able to train your dog without chokers and prong collars with positive reinforcement.

Answer 4

I personally think the dominance issue is blown way out of proportion, let the dog walk. To start just follow him around the yard to make the leash fun. Then put a tiny bit of pressure on the leash, a dogs natural instinct is to pull against pressure so, he will probly fitch a temper tantrum. Wait for it to end and start walking. If you are clicker training then click treat when he is close to you and the leash is loose. If you are not clicker training than just give him small treats when he is close to you and the leash is loose. Later, once he has the pulling on the leash thing down, start teaching loose leash. When he pulls against the leash, stop walking and only start again once the leash is loose. This teaches the dog that he does not get to go where he wants to go if the leash is tight and he will keep a loose leash. Check the sourc for more info

Answer 5

Place the collar up very high on the neck like at a dog show. Put the leash on and give a brisk tug and say walk. He will learn to keep up and if you keep the collar up high on the neck you will be able to control him easier. Just use enough leash to get him where you would like him to be.
You should get into a puppy class as it provides great training and wonderful time to socialize your new pup. THey are not expensive and they can give you great tips on how to train your new pup and it is so much easier to do it hands on. Where you can see what they are doing and they can show you how to do it.
Have fun with the puppy sounds like an interseting mix of breeds he should grow up to be active and smart.

Answer 6

It is best to use halters on dogs - the collar should just be used to hold their I.D. tags. Keep some tiny treats on you, in a bag. When the puppy walks nicely next to you, give him a treat. When he is not walking nicely, don't give him any attention - just stand still and ignore him until he decides to walk nicely next to you. Then quickly give him another treat and proceed. There is no reason to jerk on a leash, it does not teach a dog anything other than to dislike having a leash on.

Answer 7

keep him on a short leash. Before you work with him lock him up somewhere where he doesn't have that much room to play and you are out of site for a half an hour and after you are done working with him lock him up for a half an hour. That way he has time to think about what he just learnt. Also when you walk him don't just walk in a start line walk in a square. You never feed your dog treats when you are working with them you praise them with petting and your voice.

Answer 8

Purchase a leash/collar combo by the Sporn company. I have 1yr old Black Lab and he is really really hyper, but when I put the Sporn on him he behaves. Stops pulling and controls the pup without hurting him. Check out there site Sporn.com, and check pet smart, its where I got mine. Oh by the way they guarentee it forever!!!!

Answer 9

put the leash on the pup and let it drag but be sure to play with him and pick the leash up once in a while so he knows its not going to hurt him. Good luck

Answer 10

Loose Leash Walking:

Firstly you need to take charge, remember you are walking your puppy not them walking you. Start off by practicing getting them to stick to one side (AKC says left side I say what ever side they prefer). If they criss cross you stop dead and bring them back to the correct side telling them this side. Then get them to sit and stay for a few seconds. Start walking and say to your dog let's go. Now if your dog starts pulling try one of these three methods;

1.) The Tree

Be a tree if they start pulling stop dead and tell them easy. Get them to come back to your side ask them to sit and wait a few seconds. say let's go and take a few steps, if they pull stop dead.... etc. Start by only taking one or two steps then asking them to sit, slowly build on they distance you can walk before they start pulling.

2.) Quick Snap

This method works really well on smaller dogs but gve it a try. What you want to do is quick snap your dog. DO NOT do it so hard that your dogs spins around, that is way to much force. The quick snap should be forceful enough so that your dogs slows down/speeds up/follows you. Always acompany the snap with a command; for pulling say easy, for lagging behind say hurry. again practice standing still and get your dog to stay in his area (the side he is allowed) with out pulling you. Once he will stand/stay in his area go ahead and take a few steps, build on the distance you can walk..

3.) The Turn Around

Your dog wants to walk forward and pull you. This is a simple method to teach them to walk and pay attention to you. If your dog runs ahead and starts pulling turn around and go the other way. If he pulls do it again and again until he get frustrated and watches what you are doin.. thi method is funny to watch but very good with larger dogs.


Tips & Tricks
1.) Remember your words!!
Pulling ahead say easy
Lagging behind say hurry
To start walink say Let's go
If they criss cross you say This side
If you change directions say this way

2.) Try some tools such as a gentle leader or easy walker, a halti

3.) Don't use a retractable leash, this allows you dog to go where they want, it also encourages pulling by always having tension between you and your dog from the spring inside the leash.