How to train a dog to use a leash

In the days of accompanying our dogs, every outdoor walk is a precious time to enhance the bond between us and our dogs. And the leash, a seemingly simple tool, is actually the key to ensuring the safety of dogs, maintaining public order, and promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and pets. Training a dog to use a leash not only allows the dog to explore freely outdoors while staying away from danger but also embodies our deep love and care for the dog. So, how can we patiently and professionally guide a dog to accept and use the leash correctly?

Preparatory work is particularly important when training a dog to use a leash. First of all, choose a suitable leash for the dog. There are a wide variety of leashes on the market, with different materials, lengths, and styles. For small dogs, it is recommended to choose lightweight and soft materials such as cotton or nylon. Such materials will not put too much pressure on the dog's slender neck and have good wear resistance. The length can be about 1.5 to 2 meters, which can give the dog a certain amount of room to move and is also convenient for the owner to control. In terms of style, a harness-style leash is more appropriate. It can evenly distribute the force generated when the dog pulls, avoiding damage to the neck. For medium and large dogs, considering their greater strength and larger amount of activity, more sturdy and durable materials such as leather or high-strength nylon can be selected, and the length can be appropriately extended to 2 to 3 meters. Both the collar-style and harness-style leashes have their own advantages and disadvantages. The collar-style leash has stronger control, but if used improperly, it may cause damage to the neck when the dog pulls hard. The harness-style leash can better distribute the force and reduce the damage to the dog's body, but it may be relatively less flexible in controlling the dog's turning. The owner can choose according to the dog's specific situation and behavior habits.

In addition to the leash, some small snacks that the dog likes, such as dried chicken and cheese cubes, also need to be prepared. These snacks will be the "secret weapon" during the training process, stimulating the dog's enthusiasm and willingness to cooperate. At the same time, choosing a quiet, open, and safe training ground is also crucial, such as the yard at home or a corner of a park with few people. Such an environment allows the dog to focus on the training in a relatively relaxed state and reduces the impact of external distractions on the training effect.

When everything is ready, the training can begin. When putting the leash on the dog for the first time, don't be in a hurry to pull it out of the door. Instead, let the dog get familiar with the existence of the leash first. Put the leash in front of the dog, let it smell and look at it, and have a preliminary understanding of this new object. Then, gently pick up the leash and put it on the dog gently. The movement should be gentle and slow to avoid making the dog feel uncomfortable or scared. If the dog shows resistance, don't force it to wear the leash. Instead, pause the operation, soothe it with snacks, and try again after it relaxes. When the dog successfully wears the leash, immediately give it a snack as a reward, gently stroke it, and praise it in a gentle tone, saying "Baby, you're so good." In this way, let the dog associate wearing the leash with getting rewards and praise, and gradually eliminate its resistance to the leash.

Next, enter the initial walking training stage. When the dog gets used to wearing the leash, gently pick up the other end of the leash, stand beside the dog, issue the command "walk" in a calm and gentle tone, and at the same time, take a step forward to guide the dog to walk with you. At the beginning, the dog may not be used to the restraint of the leash and may pull, struggle, or be reluctant to move forward. At this time, don't pull the leash hard and confront the dog. Instead, stop and wait for the dog to calm down. When the dog stops struggling and approaches you actively, immediately give it a snack as a reward, and issue the "walk" command again to continue guiding it forward. During the walking process, always pay attention to the dog's state and keep the leash loose, so that the dog can feel a certain degree of freedom instead of being tightly bound. If the dog can walk a short distance smoothly according to your guidance, give rewards and praise in a timely manner to reinforce its correct behavior.

As the training progresses, gradually increase the difficulty and diversity of the training. You can try training in different places, such as grasslands, concrete roads, and gravel roads, to let the dog get used to walking with a leash on various terrains. At the same time, during the walking process, add some simple changes in commands, such as turning and stopping. When you issue the "turn" command, gently pull the leash to guide the dog to change its walking direction. Once the dog reacts correctly, give a reward immediately. For the "stop" command, after you issue the command, stop first, and at the same time, gently pull the leash to make the dog stop too. If the dog obeys the command, give a reward as well. Through continuous repetition of these trainings, let the dog gradually understand the connection between the leash and your commands and learn to adjust its behavior according to your commands.

During the training process, it is inevitable to encounter some unexpected situations. For example, when the dog sees other animals or something it is interested in, it may suddenly pull the leash hard and want to rush over. At this time, stay calm. Don't pull the dog back hard in a panic, as this may make the dog more excited and pull even harder. The correct way is to stop quickly, say "no" to the dog in a firm but gentle tone, and at the same time, gently pull the leash backward to draw the dog's attention back to you. If the dog can obey the command and stop pulling, give rewards and comfort in a timely manner. If the dog still doesn't listen, you can temporarily take it to a relatively quiet place, let it calm down, and then continue the training.

Training a dog to use a leash is a process that requires patience and carefulness. Every time the dog changes from resistance to cooperation, and every time it walks in harmony with you following the commands, it embodies our deep love and expectations for it. When we see the dog exploring the outside world safely and happily with the company of the leash and coexisting harmoniously with the surrounding environment, our hearts will be filled with relief and a sense of accomplishment. Dogs accompany us with their loyalty and enthusiasm, and we should also use scientific training methods and endless love to ensure their safety when going out. Because every dog is an irreplaceable precious treasure in our lives, and their health and happiness are our greatest pursuit. In every journey of accompanying our dogs, let us use the leash as a bond to establish a deeper emotional connection with our dogs, create more beautiful memories together, and let this warm friendship continue in the passage of time and never fade.