Introduction to the Collar and Leash

The first commands should be practiced with the dog on leash at all times. Then you can administer a correction at any time, and it will be impressed upon the puppy early on that it has no other option but to obey.

Getting the dog used to the leash and collar: For many dogs this presents no difficulty, and they soon accept both collar and leash.

It is helpful if you get the puppy used to the collar first. At the beginning, put the collar on your pet in your home, for a few hours at a time. Once it accepts the collar, attached the leash as well. First, it probably will resist this curb on its freedom by straining at the leash. Then try strolling around a bit with the dog on leash. Or, let the dog lead you around at first.

Leash Training

As soon as the puppy accepts the leash and collar, teach it to stay at your left side at all times.

Heel

How to practice: Take the leash in your right hand. For correction, use both hands. Use your left hand to indicate praise.

The puppy’s head should be about level with its owner’s knee. That is the only way it can get the message in time when you are changing direction or speed later on. That means that the dog’s head should be neither ahead of (forging) nor behind (lagging) the trainer’s leg. A treat in your left hand will motivated the dog to stay at your left side. Give the heel command and start walking. If the dog hesitates and stops, coax it to move forward. If it moves ahead quickly, falls behind, or pulls firmly to the side, correct it with a swift, sharp tug on the leash, so that it end up at your left side again, and repeat the heal command, praising the dog when it lines up with you again. Then you should pet it and praise it immediately, while continuing to move ahead and letting the leash hang loosely again. In this way, the puppy will learn that being at its owner’s left side is always an agreeable experience.

The sharp tug on the leash is extremely important. If you pull the dog alone slowly, it will offer increasing resistance. Then your training strains at its leash, which will unpleasant later on, especially with bi dogs.

At first, walk only short distances with puppy, and always move straight ahead. Once that is working well, incorporate curves in your path of movement, first gradual ones and them sharper ones.

Don’t forget to keep taking breaks for play, so that the puppy is not overtaxed.

EDUCATING YOUR DOG WITH LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING, KATHARINA SCHLEGL-KOFLER