One of the most important things to teach a puppy is to wear a collar. Taking him for a walk with her will turn him into a strong, well-developed dog, as well as teach obedience and readiness. You and your dog will take a lot of walks together and the key to success with the collar is to be consistent and have patience.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting your dog used to a leash and lead
Step 1. Be patient
Patience is critical when showing your dog the collar and lead. He will need time to adapt and will not learn everything overnight. Proper training must be done with confidence, calm and constant practice with the dog.
Step 2. Follow a reward system
Giving your puppy small chewable snacks is the best way to reward him. Think of small cookies and other treats that are quick to swallow so he won't be distracted from training while eating.
- Quick and simple games like tossing the ball for him to catch and tug of war are also good rewards for positive behavior.
- A slightly more complex but equally efficient system is the use of the clicker. Squeezing it when your dog does something right and delivering a treat right away will make it clear that he did something right.
Step 3. Choose a collar and a guide
Prefer the flat collars and a light leash to start with, to get the dog used to it. Hangers are unnecessary, especially with a puppy.
Step 4. Let the dog get used to it
It's normal for him to get agitated the first time he uses it. Some puppies tantrum or chew the collar, but there are techniques you can use if your furry friend doesn't like it.
- Distract the dog. Put the collar on when playing outside.
- Give a reward. Bring his favorite toy or treat and give it away as soon as you put it on.
- Loosen the collar. It should be snug around the neck, but not so tight as to be uncomfortable.
Step 5. Present the guide
Like the leash, the leash can make some dogs jittery, while others just don't move anymore. Drop the lead to the ground and let him run with it. Play with him, introduce him to another dog, and let him play with the dangling leash, being careful not to get caught in anything. From time to time, take the lead, call the dog and give him a treat when he comes.
Part 2 of 3: Training the Dog to Use the Leash
Step 1. Create a peaceful mood
Most dogs are super excited when they see the lead, jumping, whining and barking. When that happens, wait calmly with her hand until he stops. Stay calm when you go out for a walk; he will feel your energy and will learn through your behavior to walk at that pace.
Step 2. Bring snacks
Make it a habit to carry a bag with small, soft snacks to give to your puppy during training. Too large treats can interrupt practice and your dog may take a while to chew them; the best options are small pieces of sausage or cheese.
Step 3. Be patient and caring
Let the puppy get used to the idea of having a collar around his neck. If he gets nervous, sit down in front of him and pet him, offer the snacks along the way. This doesn't mean you should reward bad behavior, but there are more productive ways to deal with it without having to stress out.
Step 4. Cut the bad behavior
To stop canine misbehavior, you should address it as soon as it happens. There is no need to get angry, yell or hit your friend. Be more positive in dealing with these issues without losing your reason. Read below for some techniques that work much better.
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The dog is pulling the lead.
When this happens, stop walking and remain still. Do not pull the collar, the idea is to show the dog that when he does this, there is no longer a walk. Call him back and give him a treat when he comes. Repeating this lesson constantly and calmly will teach you not to do this anymore.
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The dog sits or lies down.
When the puppy refuses to walk, step back, call him and give him a treat. Start walking again until he does the same thing. Repeat the process whenever he gets stuck, patiently. Eventually he will feel comfortable with the collar.
Step 5. Be consistent
This is the key aspect of any canine training. Your dog is eager to learn, but you have to communicate clearly what you expect from him. By rewarding good behavior appropriately and stopping wrong attitudes, he will eventually learn to behave well. On the other hand, if you don't always get his attention, if you let him pull the leash, etc., he will hardly understand what you want. It's the repetition that makes the magic happen.
Part 3 of 3: Continuing Training into Adulthood
Step 1. Walk your dog regularly
Keep taking the dog for a walk, if possible more than once a day. This frequency will reinforce the training and solidify the good behavior as he will not forget. Remain patient and don't reinforce bad behavior.
Step 2. Stay ahead
This will show you are in charge and encourage the dog to obey you when you are on a leash. You may need to retract some of the lead and stop if it starts to pull. Do as before; stop, call him and give him a treat when he comes. Keep retracting the lead until he gets used to walking beside you or behind you.
Stay calm and mindful. Don't stay on your cell phone, don't get angry and don't lose control
Step 3. Pay attention to the owners of other dogs
If you come across a dog and its owner is nervous or out of control, get ready to face a situation with a furry naughty. Go ahead with your friend at your side and reward him if he doesn't pull the leash to play with the other dog.
Step 4. Choose the right equipment
If your dog is in the habit of pulling the lead, use one that is short, 1.5 m to 1.8 m. A chest guide is very useful to stop this behavior, while common guides can encourage it. Avoid retractable straps, they can make your work very difficult. Stay away from choke chains as they can hurt the dog; only professionals know how to use them safely.