One of the most important lessons you can teach your dog is to walk politely on a leash. As I know all too well, it can be a frustrating lesson! But if you are successful, you will not only have more fun with your dog, but you will also greatly improve his health and quality of life.
Introduce a collar and then a leash when your dog is eight weeks of age. Let your puppy get used to the feel of a collar and leash in the comfort of his own home. Encourage your puppy to move with you while on the leash with lots of treats and positive voice rewards. Offer a chew toy to distract your puppy from chewing the leash. Have your puppy follow simple commands while on the leash and keep those treats flowing!
As the puppy’s confidence grows, you can begin to go outside for simple walks. Give your puppy plenty of time to adjust to new sights, sounds, and smells. Your puppy training classes are a perfect place to show off the leash skills you’ve been practicing at home and to get some advice on how to handle the inevitable curve balls your puppy will throw you.
During the past couple of years, we have had a chance to handle more dogs on leash at our veterinary hospital as we began providing curbside service. Many of our patients had no problem walking on leash with our technicians away from their owners and into the hospital. Successful leash training resulted in a more confident dog who could handle this stressful situation.
This confidence continued into the exam room making the overall visit a very happy experience. Most of the reluctant dogs were just very anxious as they were unused to new environments and not comfortable on leash. Some dogs reacted more strongly and would pull away from their owners to avoid entering the building. We are aware that a dog can slip out of ill-fitting collars and harnesses and try very hard to avoid that dangerous situation. A dog’s insecurity can be expressed as aggressiveness toward strangers and other dogs. This behavior can become amplified while on leash. To increase the control owners have over their dogs, veterinarians ask that owners no longer use extendable leashes in the hospital setting.
The health benefits of walking trails and neighborhoods with our dogs are many. Connecticut state law does not allow our dogs to roam freely, and many of our parks and preserves require that dogs be on leash.
Routine exercise is great for weight control and cardiovascular health. Many of our dogs suffer from musculoskeletal disease such as arthritis, and controlled exercise on leash can really help. Most surgical post-operative care instructions require leash walking. Left to their own devices, dogs rarely think of their sore joints or their healing surgical sites before they chase after that backyard squirrel.
Issues related to anxiety are increasing in our pets. Destructive behavior in the house can be driven by anxiety, stress, and boredom. Exercise with your pet’s favorite person—you—is a great help in managing these issues. The mental stimulation of a walk through the woods or catching up on the gossip by sniffing every bush in the neighborhood broadens your dog’s experiences, enhances his environment, and can lessen these behaviors.
Good luck with your training. Both you and your dog will enjoy all the benefits of walking together for years to come.