Dog Leash Training Problems

February 6, 2010 by  
Filed under Dog Training

Exercise could be a major part of our dogs’ lives.

Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer”, tells us that to keep up a healthy relationship with our beloved pooches, that relationship should consist of 50% physical exertion, twenty five% discipline, and twenty five% affection.

That’s a lot of exercise!

In order for us to be ready to get pleasure from exercising our dogs as much as they have, it’s necessary for them to behave well each 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 text, we’ll have a look at the most effective way to accommodate fear of the leash.

Fear of the Leash

The majority of the time, the sight of the leash is enough to evoke a match of joy – the dog is aware of that leash = walk, and reacts accordingly. For some dogs, though, the leash connotes fear and submissiveness additional than anything else. Perhaps the leash was employed in a negative approach 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 at risk of developing phobias seemingly arbitrarily. Though fear of the leash can have a severely negative impact on your walks together with your dog, the nice news is that it’s straightforward to cure.

You just need some patience and a few basic equipment.

What you’ll need – A leash, made of webbing or leather. Approximately 5 feet (1.25 meters) may be a sensible length, as it enables management while not risk of the dog obtaining tangled within the leash when out walking. Chain-link leashes aren’t suggested, as they’re exhausting on the hands – and additionally will flick the dog in the face, that isn’t one thing you’d want to inflict on any dog, coupled with one that’s laid low with concern of the leash!

A good-quality collar, once more created of leather or nylon webbing. If you’re using one with a snap-lock, create sure it’s safety-approved and won’t come undone under pressure. Slip-chain collars (also called ‘choke-chains’ or ‘check-chains’) should never be used on an unattended dog, as they’re a coaching tool, not a true collar. -

A very little bit of time, and a 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 among his comfort zone at every step of the way. As a result of he’s already got a fear 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).

Thus the first step: bear in mind to take baby steps at all times! – If he’s very petrified of the leash, you’ll would like to accustom him to it very slowly indeed. Practice leaving it out in full view, preferably in ‘fun’ places: next to his food bowl, in preferred play areas, near his bed.

Once he’s stopped reacting to the sight of it, introduce the leash to him during a additional active manner.

You can 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 till he’s stopped showing any signs of discomfort – it might take your time, but keep in mind that you’re progressing to accustom him comfortably to the leash. Any rushing is counterproductive. – When he’s not showing any signs of nervousness with this level of progress, you can begin attaching the leash to his collar.

Place him during a sit-stay, employing 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 like it’s not a huge deal, he’ll follow your lead.

Once the leash is on, provide him it slow to induce used to the feeling of something hanging off his neck. He may 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 brief game of tug-o’-war (providing he is aware of to drop the toy after you’ve had enough) is a sensible plan; if he can run without getting tangled within the leash, play a brief game of fetch; or, if the 2 of you’re outside during a safely enclosed area, you can go for a short walk.

Don’t attempt to touch the leash at this stage, just let him walk around freely. – Take the leash off once 5 minutes or therefore, and praise him lavishly for being such a smart boy. Offer him a number of small, tasty treats, and lots of petting. – Repeat these last three steps several a lot of times before progressing to the next level: you would like to grant him lots of opportunities to get used to the feeling of the leash itself before you begin using it to control his walking.

The additional positive associations he forms with the leash (which he will do through the games, walks, and treats whereas carrying it), the better for his progress. – Next, it’s time for a short obedience-coaching session while he’s wearing the leash. Five minutes is masses: practice a sit-keep and also the recall command (“come”) whereas he’s sporting the leash. This will reinforce your authority and leadership, and remind him that he’s still expected to obey you while wearing the leash. – When he’s readily obeying your commands with the leash on, you’ll be able to take him for a short walk while he’s wearing it.

If he’s jumpy, do not reinforce his nervousness by rewarding him with attention. Merely ignore him and carry 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’re feeling that he’s merely too nervous to proceed (for instance, if he’s still panicking once three or four minutes of walking on the leash), go back to the amount at which he was last 100% comfortable. Wait a few days at this stage before making an attempt to proceed.

Things to Keep in mind

Keep in mind to wait! 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 around the leash – if you get stressed or pissed off along with his lack of progress, he’ll be ready to tell, and his anxiety levels will increase, not decrease.

Keep in mind to not 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 persevere, 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 give it more time. – This should go while not saying, but never correct or punish him for skittishness or nervous behavior – once more, it’s counterproductive in the extreme.

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