How to train a dog to follow a leash

In the morning, the sunshine draped a layer of golden veil over the streets, and the dog was filled with joy, looking forward to going out for a walk with its owner. However, some dogs start struggling frantically as soon as they put on a leash, either charging forward vigorously or staying in place and refusing to move, making walking a "difficult battle". Dogs are our most loyal companions in life, accompanying us through countless wonderful moments and giving us pure love and trust. In order to allow dogs to enjoy safe and enjoyable walking time while ensuring the safety of others, mastering the method of training dogs to follow the leash has become a compulsory course for every dog owner. With a deep love for dogs and professional knowledge, let's embark on this training journey together.

Before training, it is necessary to select suitable traction ropes and collars. The length of the towing rope should be moderate. Generally speaking, a towing rope of 1.5-2 meters is more suitable, which can provide the dog with a certain amount of activity space and allow the owner to effectively control the dog's movements. In terms of material, soft and durable nylon or leather traction ropes can be selected. The size of the collar should be appropriate, neither too tight, which affects the dog's breathing and blood circulation, nor too loose, which may cause the dog to easily break free. When putting a leash and collar on a dog, the movements should be gentle, and at the same time, communicate with the dog in a gentle tone to gradually adapt to the presence of the leash and collar. At the beginning, dogs may feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable with leashes and collars, and may even try to scratch or bite with their paws. At this point, we should not forcefully stop, but patiently guide and divert the dog's attention with snacks or toys, allowing the dog to slowly accept the leash and collar.

Formal training can start indoors. Find a spacious and quiet space at home and put a leash on your dog. Let the dog move freely for a while to adapt to the weight and feel of the leash. Then, gently pull the leash and give the command to "walk" to guide the dog forward. If the dog cooperates, immediately give praise and rewards, such as gentle caresses, delicious snacks, etc., to reinforce the dog's correct behavior. If the dog is unwilling to walk, do not pull the leash hard, but stop and use toys or snacks to attract the dog's attention, encouraging the dog to actively move forward. During the training process, it is important to keep the traction rope loose to avoid creating a sense of pressure on the dog. At the same time, adjust your speed according to the dog's pace, so that the dog can feel the rhythm of moving forward in sync with its owner.

When the dog is able to follow the leash well indoors, the training ground can be moved outdoors. The outdoor environment is more complex and full of various temptations, such as other dogs, vehicles, pedestrians, etc., which is a greater challenge for dogs. Before going out, make sure that the dog has already used the restroom, emptied its body, and avoided being distracted by physiological needs during walking. At the beginning, choose quiet streets with fewer people and cars for training. During the walking process, if the dog is attracted by other things and tries to break free from the leash, it should give a "no" command in a timely manner, and gently pull back the leash to shift the dog's attention to itself. When the dog refocuses on its owner and follows the leash, immediately give praise and reward. When encountering other dogs or pedestrians, it is important to control the length of the leash in advance to avoid the dog getting too close to others and causing unnecessary trouble. At the same time, it is important to teach dogs how to politely greet others and other dogs, and cultivate good social habits in dogs.

During the training process, it is inevitable to encounter situations where the dog does not listen. At this point, we need to be patient and not beat or punish the dog. Beating, scolding, and punishing not only fail to solve the problem, but also create fear and resistance towards the leash in dogs, increasing the difficulty of training. We need to analyze whether the reason for the dog's disobedience is due to too much external interference or improper training methods. If there is too much external interference, you can choose to train in a time period or location with less interference; If the training method is inappropriate, it is necessary to adjust the training method in a timely manner and find the most suitable way for the dog.

Watching our dog obediently follow the leash and enjoy a pleasant walk under our careful training, our hearts are filled with a sense of achievement. Dogs bring endless joy to our lives with their companionship. As their guardians, we should use love and professional knowledge to help dogs develop good behavior habits and write warm and touching stories between humans and dogs. In each walk, the emotional bond between us and the dog will become stronger, and we will spend wonderful time together.