Puppy leash training

jwardmagic · 06-12-2006, 01:06 PM

I was wondering when the best time to leash train my puppy is and take him for walks around town etc. He is 9 weeks old, and this friday is having his final vaccination. Is it fine at this age to take him for ''walkies'' etc? How do I do it, and train him to stay by my side? What do I do if he gets frightened and tries to run?

bigdoglover · 06-12-2006, 01:27 PM

If he is already wearing a collar, I would start by just attaching the leash and letting him walk around the house, dragging it. That way, he gets used to having it on. During this time, work on calling his name and having him come to you, giving him lots of praise and a small treat when he does. You can then gradually work on walking around the house, holding the leash. He should naturally follow you, but don't pull on the leash, this will cause him to resist. Just keep it loose, and take a few steps. When he follows you, lots of praise and a treat. Start with a few steps, then go to another room, then outside, etc. 9 weeks is pretty young to go for long walks, and I would say around the yard, and maybe to the street and back would be a good start.

You can drive to the local grocery, or public place, and just sit on the curb or bench, and let people see him, let him hear the traffic, etc. If he gets scared, be calm, and ignore it. DO NOT talk to him, or jerk on the leash. Any type of attention you give while he is freaking out will only re-enforce that behavior. Be confident, not forceful. And take your time. Go slow, you have plenty of time to gradually get him used to the different sites and sounds of town. And remember, be patient, and always end your training on a good note. What I mean is have him do something, anything, that he knows he'll get a treat for, and then praise, treat, and the session is over. Dogs learn better when their training ends good. Make the sessions short, just a few minutes, as his attention span is small. Make them fun, and short, frequent sessions. Maybe 5 sessions that are 5 minutes each per day. As he gets older, and better, the session time can increase.

Hope this helps!

D.Schäferhund · 06-12-2006, 03:38 PM

excellent advice .....
you can start to go for little walks, with plenty resting time in between.
what you can do too when you are in traffic just sit down and play with him. if he is reseptebale for that. so you have a lot of things going on arround him but he just cares for you and the play. if he is not reseptable for it and he goes into survival mode and has to look at it, do as bigdoglover allready sugested.
it really depends on the dog.
Enjoy. act as if it is the normalest thing in the world

TribalRats · 06-12-2006, 03:44 PM

Agreed BDL gave some great advice

***Carrie*** · 06-12-2006, 04:01 PM

Great advice from the B-dog!

This caught my eye:

Quote:

He is 9 weeks old, and this friday is having his final vaccination.

Normally, the 3 series of vaccinations go on until they're about 16-21 weeks. You might want to double check with your vet.

Lots of socialization is vital but try and stay away from areas heavily populated by dogs you don't know....try and find a few pups to play with that you know and know have been vaccinated and are healthy.

Congrats on the new pup. What breed is he?

froggiedog · 06-12-2006, 07:52 PM

i also think that BDL's info was good

06-12-2006, 01:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
jwardmagic Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 74 Rep Power: 0	Puppy leash training I was wondering when the best time to leash train my puppy is and take him for walks around town etc. He is 9 weeks old, and this friday is having his final vaccination. Is it fine at this age to take him for ''walkies'' etc? How do I do it, and train him to stay by my side? What do I do if he gets frightened and tries to run?
jwardmagic Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 74 Rep Power: 0

06-12-2006, 01:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigdoglover Giant Schnauzers Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West-Central Illinois Posts: 3,624 Rep Power: 179	If he is already wearing a collar, I would start by just attaching the leash and letting him walk around the house, dragging it. That way, he gets used to having it on. During this time, work on calling his name and having him come to you, giving him lots of praise and a small treat when he does. You can then gradually work on walking around the house, holding the leash. He should naturally follow you, but don't pull on the leash, this will cause him to resist. Just keep it loose, and take a few steps. When he follows you, lots of praise and a treat. Start with a few steps, then go to another room, then outside, etc. 9 weeks is pretty young to go for long walks, and I would say around the yard, and maybe to the street and back would be a good start. You can drive to the local grocery, or public place, and just sit on the curb or bench, and let people see him, let him hear the traffic, etc. If he gets scared, be calm, and ignore it. DO NOT talk to him, or jerk on the leash. Any type of attention you give while he is freaking out will only re-enforce that behavior. Be confident, not forceful. And take your time. Go slow, you have plenty of time to gradually get him used to the different sites and sounds of town. And remember, be patient, and always end your training on a good note. What I mean is have him do something, anything, that he knows he'll get a treat for, and then praise, treat, and the session is over. Dogs learn better when their training ends good. Make the sessions short, just a few minutes, as his attention span is small. Make them fun, and short, frequent sessions. Maybe 5 sessions that are 5 minutes each per day. As he gets older, and better, the session time can increase. Hope this helps!
	__________________ Glory and Greed will destroy the breed.

06-12-2006, 03:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
TribalRats Take Responsibility Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 3,327 Rep Power: 147	Agreed BDL gave some great advice
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

06-12-2006, 07:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
froggiedog Maltese & Great Pyrenees Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 157 Rep Power: 0	i also think that BDL's info was good
	__________________ Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window! -- Steve Bluestone

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06-12-2006, 03:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
D.Schäferhund let's work Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,821 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 115	excellent advice ..... you can start to go for little walks, with plenty resting time in between. what you can do too when you are in traffic just sit down and play with him. if he is reseptebale for that. so you have a lot of things going on arround him but he just cares for you and the play. if he is not reseptable for it and he goes into survival mode and has to look at it, do as bigdoglover allready sugested. it really depends on the dog. Enjoy. act as if it is the normalest thing in the world

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