Skip to main content

Tag: dog training techniques

Leash Training Your Dog 101

Using a leash with your dog may seem pretty intuitive. Clip it onto their collar or harness and you’re ready to go, right? Sure, that gets the job done, but did you know there are lots of tips and tricks you can use to leash train your dog? Holding it correctly to prevent injury and teaching your dog to stop pulling are two great benefits of  training!

Leash Training 101

  • The right collar. If you’re starting your leash training with a puppy, it’s pertinent to get a collar that fits. Since puppies grow, be aware that you need to check the collar sizing regularly and upgrade as needed. Check out this link for tips on measuring your dog’s collar size!
  • Learn how to hold the leash. Here is where some human training comes in. Knowing how to hold the leash properly will help you keep steady control of your pet, without risking injury to yourself. This is particularly important during the training process when your pet will be pulling and jerking the most. Proper technique, as described by Wikihow:

    “Slip your thumb through the loop at the end of the leash. If you hold your hand upwards in front of you (like you’re giving someone a high five), the leash should dangle off your thumb. Then close your hand around the loop. The rest of the leash should come out the bottom of your fist, beside your pinky finger.”

  • Start with a short range. Keeping your dog close to you can help them learn which side they should walk on and what an acceptable pace is. This also allows you more immediate, easier control during the early stages.

  • Trial and error. Now comes the training part! With a pocket full of treats head out the door! As your pet walks calmly beside you, praise them and offer a treat. If they pull or dart about erratically exercise patience and reward them when they stop this behavior and return to polite walking. If they remain walking with you, stop and reward them every so often.
  • Deal with pulling. If your dog is trying to pull you toward a goal, stop. Wait until your pet stops tugging and then slowly walk toward the object of their interest, rewarding them if they walk calmly with you. Your dog needs to understand that misbehaving will produce the opposite result of what they want. If their behavior persists, calmly walk away from their goal. Don’t ever jerk the leash, just apply enough steady pressure that they must follow you. And again with the training mantra, once he stops and begins following you at a normal pace, reward him!

Remember to always be patient and gentle with your dog. Use your stubbornness and leadership to command your pet. Dogs are smart and most pick up on leash training fast!

photo credit: Comfort via photopin (license)

Traditional and Training Collars for Your Pet: A Brief Guide

  With so many selections of a variety of dog collars, it’s a bit overwhelming to determine which one is the best for your pet; you don’t want them too tight or too lose, especially, and you want to make sure you have the appropriate one for your pet. There are also dogs that require specific collars, so we’re offering suggestions for choosing the perfect dog collar. Check them out below:

Traditional Dog Collars: These are usually made out of nylon or leather, and are available in a variety of styles, colors and widths. Not sure of how loose or tight a dog collar should be? Fitting two fingers easily between the collar and neck will give the right amount of room for movement.

Dog Harness:  These are recommended for pets with upper respiratory diseases, which doesn’t place pressure on the throat or trachea area.

For training purposes:

Halter-type dog collar: A great training collar which allows your dog to walk beside or behind you, and helps you with controlling your dog during training of he or she.

Choke-chain dog collar: This is used for training or re-training  your pet, but it is very important this collar is used appropriately, because mis-use can harm your dog. Choke collars should only be used for training purposes, nothing further.

Pronged collar: This collar is designed for the biggest and most difficult of dogs to train, which is a last resort collar for those dogs who are extremely difficult to train. As with a choke-chain collar, this should only be used temporarily and to train.

As noted above, there are a variety of collars out there from different vendors for your pet. What collar do you prefer, and which one has worked the best for you?

For more information, copy and paste the link below in your browser:

http://www.petsource.org/dogcare/852-dog-care.html