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Dog Leash Training Problems
By doglover | February 4, 2010
Exercise is a major part of our dogs’ lives.
Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer”, tells us that to maintain a healthy relationship with our beloved pooches, that relationship should consist of 50% work up, 25% discipline, and 25% affection.
That’s a heap of exercise!
In order for us to be in a position to get pleasure from exercising our dogs as much as they need, it’s important for them to behave well both on the lead. Sadly, there are various dogs out there who are afraid of the leash itself – resulting in neurotic, fearful, submissive behavior whenever the lead comes out.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the most effective means to accommodate concern of the leash.
Fear of the Leash
The bulk of the time, the sight of the leash will achieve a work of joy – the dog is aware of that leash = walk, and reacts accordingly. For a few dogs, though, the leash connotes worry and submissiveness additional than anything else. Perhaps the leash was used in a negative manner with a previous owner – as a tool for dragging the dog around. Maybe it was used to confine the dog for long hours at a time.
In some extreme cases, dogs have even been whipped with the leash as punishment. Or perhaps your dog is just very highly strung, and is liable to developing phobias seemingly arbitrarily. Though worry of the leash can have a severely negative impact on your walks together with your dog, the great news is that it’s straightforward to cure.
You only want some patience and a few basic equipment.
What you’ll want – A leash, made of webbing or leather. Approximately 5 feet (1.25 meters) could be a good length, as it permits management while not risk of the dog getting tangled within the leash when out walking. Chain-link leashes aren’t suggested, as they’re laborious on the hands – and conjointly can flick the dog within the face, that isn’t one thing you’d wish to inflict on any dog, in addition to one that’s plagued by concern of the leash!
A good-quality collar, again created of leather or nylon webbing. If you’re using one with a snap-lock, make positive it’s safety-approved and won’t come back undone below pressure. Slip-chain collars (additionally known as ‘choke-chains’ or ‘check-chains’) ought to never be used on an unattended dog, as they’re a coaching tool, not a real collar. -
A very little bit of time, and a very little bit of patience.
What to Do – Your aim here is to accustom your dog to the lead a very little bit at a time, keeping him well inside his comfort zone at every step of the way. Because he’s already got a worry of the leash, some discomfort in its presence is to be expected, but watch out for signs of extreme fear: hyperventilating, drooling, submissive urination, rolling eyes (typically showing the whites).
So step one: remember to take baby steps in the slightest degree times! – If he’s extremely terrified of the leash, you’ll would like to accustom him to it very slowly indeed. Observe leaving it out in full read, preferably in ‘fun’ places: next to his food bowl, in preferred play areas, close to his bed.
Once he’s stopped reacting to the sight of it, introduce the leash to him in a additional active manner.
You’ll do this by wrapping it around your hand as you pet and groom him. Hold the leash in your hand as you prepare his food; sit by him and stroke him, with the leash wrapped around your hand, as he eats. Keep this up until he’s stopped showing any signs of discomfort – it could take some time, however remember that you just’re reaching to accustom him comfortably to the leash. Any dashing is counterproductive. – When he’s not showing any signs of nervousness with this level of progress, you can start attaching the leash to his collar.
Put him during a sit-keep, using a firm, calm voice, and clip the leash on. Don’t create a huge deal out of it: your dog can take his emotional and psychological cues from your behavior. If you act as though it’s not a huge deal, he’ll follow your lead.
Once the leash is on, provide him some time to get used to the feeling of one thing hanging off his neck. He could get a very little panicky at this stage, and start pawing at his neck and making an attempt to rub the leash off along the ground. If he’s showing signs of nervousness, distract him with a game: a short game of tug-o’-war (providing he knows to drop the toy after you’ve had enough) may be a sensible plan; if he can run without obtaining tangled in the leash, play a short game of fetch; or, if the two of you’re outside during a safely enclosed area, you’ll go for a brief walk.
Don’t attempt to touch the leash at this stage, simply let him walk around freely. – Take the leash off after five minutes or thus, and praise him lavishly for being such a sensible boy. Give him a number of small, tasty treats, and tons of petting. – Repeat these last three steps several additional times before progressing to the next level: you would like to relinquish him masses of opportunities to urge used to the feeling of the leash itself before you start using it to manage his walking.
The more positive associations he forms with the leash (which he can do through the games, walks, and treats while sporting it), the better for his progress. – Next, it’s time for a brief obedience-training session whereas he’s wearing the leash. 5 minutes is plenty: observe a sit-keep and also the recall command (“come back”) while he’s sporting the leash. This will reinforce your authority and leadership, and remind him that he’s still expected to obey you while carrying the leash. – When he’s readily obeying your commands with the leash on, you’ll take him for a short walk while he’s sporting it.
If he’s jumpy, don’t reinforce his nervousness by rewarding him with attention. Simply ignore him and keep on walking. Keep in mind, he takes his cues from you, thus keep calm and look forward to it to pass. – If, at any purpose, you are feeling that he’s merely too nervous to proceed (as an example, if he’s still panicking after 3 or four minutes of walking on the leash), return to the extent at which he was last 100% comfortable. Wait some days at this stage before attempting to proceed.
Things to Keep in mind
Bear in mind to twiddling my thumbs! Don’t attempt to rush your dog’s progress: using force is counterproductive to your end goal. You’re teaching him to relax and be calm round the leash – if you get stressed or annoyed with his lack of progress, he’ll be ready to inform, and his anxiety levels will increase, not decrease.
Keep in mind not to indulge his nervousness or coddle him if he plays up or gets nervous. If you react to his crying and trembling with petting and cooing, you’re telling him that it’s OK to feel like that. If he’s nervous, either ignore it and carry on, or distract him with a game or short walk. If he’s still panic-stricken once three or four minutes, revert to the previous step and provide it more time. – This could go without saying, however never correct or punish him for skittishness or nervous behavior – again, it’s counterproductive in the extreme.
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