As custodians of the planet it is our responsibility to deal with all species with
kindness, love and compassion. That these animals suffer through human cruelty is
beyond understanding. Please help to stop this madness. ~Richard Gere
Lead Training (or the popular: Leash Training)
* Have you ever put a lead on a puppy and had one of the most awful experiences for
the both of you? The little pup backs up, screeches, and hops all over struggling
against this MOST scary device you have just come up with. Well, imagine the poor
mature dog who has never had a collar or lead on. Not only is it sure you are going to
string it up from the nearest tree, you have questioned its authority and leadership
along with limiting freedom.
*Well, that is the reason for this article. The Northwoods Humane Society employees
and volunteers are having a very difficult time getting dogs out to the play area (some
are being carried until they get some friendly practical experiences) so, they
requested an article on the topic of Lead Training Puppies and Dogs. There have
been many stray dogs rescued from the Sawyer County Dog Pound and it turns out
that quite a few have no idea that walking on a lead can be FUN! That may be the
reason they are found wondering around, they never had a good leader on the end of
a lead.
*The leash is a leadership tool. It is NOT the means for the handler to control the dog
like a remote control toy or for a physical punishment device. When used properly, the
leash symbolizes the handler's leadership. Should the dog pull on or chew the leash,
it is undermining the handler’s authority.
*The leash that is properly introduced will not have to be connected to a
"Choke/Training/Slip Collar". The lightweight nylon buckle or snap collar should be
adequate. The leash should be light, including the clasp, and six feet long. When first
introducing the pup or dog to the lead, only have the leash attached to the collar for a
few minutes with one end in your hand and the excess laying on the floor. Instead of
you leading the dog around, let the dog lead you WITHOUT PULLING for a couple of
seconds then, call the dog to you by patting your leg and giving great praise for the
dog’s attention. Start to walk with whatever command you are going to use ("walk" –
"let’s go") and continue keeping the dog’s attention on you with lots of praise. Only do
this for a few minutes several times throughout the day.
*Once the pup is catching on to this game and feeling comfortable with the lead on,
you can have him with you while you do things around the house by attaching the
other end of the lead to your belt. This will help him recognize you as leader and
reinforce his having to watch you to see which way you are going to go next. Please
do not do scary things like operate the vacuum cleaner unless he has been properly
conditioned! The dog that now feels comfortable with the lead, and who is too large to
be attached to your belt (beware of a possible sprint urge) can supervise your
activities with you having the lead loop over your wrist. If you are not ever going to walk
the dog on six feet of lead, a light cord tied to a clasp will do just fine. Again, do not
pull on the lead and, happily call the dog to you if he should start to put tension on the
lead. Please keep in mind that the pup and dog both have very short attention spans.
You will set yourself up for failure if you try to rush this training by having the lead on
too long.
*We do seem to have many dogs that pull while on the leash. Are we pulling first?
Have we taught the dog that to go on lead means he must have tension on his neck?
When we approach another dog, person, car, or see a squirrel are we tightening the
leash? If the answer is yes to any of those questions, then we can be pretty sure that
we have taught that dog to pull on lead. Properly dressing the dog in a comfortable,
adjustable harness and starting lead training from scratch seems to work wonders
on many dogs. Of course, we do have to change our habit of pulling first or reacting to
a situation by putting tension on the lead. If the harness does not work, please
consult a professional trainer who uses gentle training methods to help with the
proper equipment to modify both yours and the dog’s pulling on lead behaviors.
*When puppies and dogs are able to walk on lead, they are comfortable in any
unusual situation they may find themselves in when someone attaches the lead to
their collar or harness. Please be a responsible dog handler and insure that your dog
(or any puppies) is taught this valuable lesson. You never know when it will have to
be handled by a stranger: gets loose and ends up at the pound, has to be boarded
due to a family emergency, your life circumstances change and you are no longer
able to care for the dog…you get the idea.
Contributed by our volunteer trainer. Thanks, Regina!
Bringing Your New Kitty Home
Introducing a New Cat to Resident Cat (Cats)
Introducing a New Dog to Resident Dog (Dogs
Introducing a New Cat to Resident Dog (Dogs)
Introducing a New Dog to Resident Cat (Cats)
Cat Housebreaking Troubles
Dog Housebreaking Problems
Facts About Declawing Your Cat
Benefits of Altering Your Cat
Benefits of Altering Your Dog
Lead Training
Small Children and Puppies
Outdoor Dogs
Hot Weather Care For Pets
You Can't Find Good Homes For All of Them
Have You Walked Your Dog Today?
Dogs and the 4th of July
Does Your Dog Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck?
kindness, love and compassion. That these animals suffer through human cruelty is
beyond understanding. Please help to stop this madness. ~Richard Gere
Lead Training (or the popular: Leash Training)
* Have you ever put a lead on a puppy and had one of the most awful experiences for
the both of you? The little pup backs up, screeches, and hops all over struggling
against this MOST scary device you have just come up with. Well, imagine the poor
mature dog who has never had a collar or lead on. Not only is it sure you are going to
string it up from the nearest tree, you have questioned its authority and leadership
along with limiting freedom.
*Well, that is the reason for this article. The Northwoods Humane Society employees
and volunteers are having a very difficult time getting dogs out to the play area (some
are being carried until they get some friendly practical experiences) so, they
requested an article on the topic of Lead Training Puppies and Dogs. There have
been many stray dogs rescued from the Sawyer County Dog Pound and it turns out
that quite a few have no idea that walking on a lead can be FUN! That may be the
reason they are found wondering around, they never had a good leader on the end of
a lead.
*The leash is a leadership tool. It is NOT the means for the handler to control the dog
like a remote control toy or for a physical punishment device. When used properly, the
leash symbolizes the handler's leadership. Should the dog pull on or chew the leash,
it is undermining the handler’s authority.
*The leash that is properly introduced will not have to be connected to a
"Choke/Training/Slip Collar". The lightweight nylon buckle or snap collar should be
adequate. The leash should be light, including the clasp, and six feet long. When first
introducing the pup or dog to the lead, only have the leash attached to the collar for a
few minutes with one end in your hand and the excess laying on the floor. Instead of
you leading the dog around, let the dog lead you WITHOUT PULLING for a couple of
seconds then, call the dog to you by patting your leg and giving great praise for the
dog’s attention. Start to walk with whatever command you are going to use ("walk" –
"let’s go") and continue keeping the dog’s attention on you with lots of praise. Only do
this for a few minutes several times throughout the day.
*Once the pup is catching on to this game and feeling comfortable with the lead on,
you can have him with you while you do things around the house by attaching the
other end of the lead to your belt. This will help him recognize you as leader and
reinforce his having to watch you to see which way you are going to go next. Please
do not do scary things like operate the vacuum cleaner unless he has been properly
conditioned! The dog that now feels comfortable with the lead, and who is too large to
be attached to your belt (beware of a possible sprint urge) can supervise your
activities with you having the lead loop over your wrist. If you are not ever going to walk
the dog on six feet of lead, a light cord tied to a clasp will do just fine. Again, do not
pull on the lead and, happily call the dog to you if he should start to put tension on the
lead. Please keep in mind that the pup and dog both have very short attention spans.
You will set yourself up for failure if you try to rush this training by having the lead on
too long.
*We do seem to have many dogs that pull while on the leash. Are we pulling first?
Have we taught the dog that to go on lead means he must have tension on his neck?
When we approach another dog, person, car, or see a squirrel are we tightening the
leash? If the answer is yes to any of those questions, then we can be pretty sure that
we have taught that dog to pull on lead. Properly dressing the dog in a comfortable,
adjustable harness and starting lead training from scratch seems to work wonders
on many dogs. Of course, we do have to change our habit of pulling first or reacting to
a situation by putting tension on the lead. If the harness does not work, please
consult a professional trainer who uses gentle training methods to help with the
proper equipment to modify both yours and the dog’s pulling on lead behaviors.
*When puppies and dogs are able to walk on lead, they are comfortable in any
unusual situation they may find themselves in when someone attaches the lead to
their collar or harness. Please be a responsible dog handler and insure that your dog
(or any puppies) is taught this valuable lesson. You never know when it will have to
be handled by a stranger: gets loose and ends up at the pound, has to be boarded
due to a family emergency, your life circumstances change and you are no longer
able to care for the dog…you get the idea.
Contributed by our volunteer trainer. Thanks, Regina!
Bringing Your New Kitty Home
Introducing a New Cat to Resident Cat (Cats)
Introducing a New Dog to Resident Dog (Dogs
Introducing a New Cat to Resident Dog (Dogs)
Introducing a New Dog to Resident Cat (Cats)
Cat Housebreaking Troubles
Dog Housebreaking Problems
Facts About Declawing Your Cat
Benefits of Altering Your Cat
Benefits of Altering Your Dog
Lead Training
Small Children and Puppies
Outdoor Dogs
Hot Weather Care For Pets
You Can't Find Good Homes For All of Them
Have You Walked Your Dog Today?
Dogs and the 4th of July
Does Your Dog Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck?
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Zavier