Every dog breed tends to be different, and you have to learn techniques to make your pet and your life comfortable with each other. Suppose you brought a German shepherd home. You may need to leash train your pup to establish the dos and don’ts of your relationship. More precisely, this will allow you to communicate with her better. Training this little pup might take time and patience. But it will be worth the effort. If you know about Toy Poodle and police dogs, you will be familiar with their intimacy with their owners. They get the cues even without their owners saying something. You can achieve such results with leash work. However, as said, patience and time will be two critical ingredients in this. Here are some insights on this.
- Introducing your pet to the leash
Leash training a puppy is challenging but rewarding. Find something easy to adjust for the growing pup. The equipment should be simple, preferably a nylon or leather material with a collar. It should also be comfortable for her to wear the entire day. A neck collar will give you more control over her behavior rectification, while a harness will make her body weight more manageable. Nowadays, you get a harness with a front chest strap. Or another pick can be a head collar, but these are handier for professionals. They know how to adjust them without causing discomfort to your little friend. When you intend to start your pet’s leash training, make sure you walk up to her to fit her leash instead of giving her commands to come to you.
Before you begin, you should be ready with your German shepherd’s favorite treats and toys; this training reinforces habits. If you don’t like the idea of food treats, figure out some other strong incentives for her. Regarding the leash’s fit, experts say that two fingers can slip between your dog’s neck and the attached collar if it’s a proper size. Nylon, rope, leather, and plastic are recommendable for pups that don’t chew much on their leashes. For heavy chewers, a lightweight chain lead can be suitable. The length of the leash can be 3-6 feet. For training, you need six feet. And if it’s long leash training, the size can be 15-50 feet.
- Little things to consider
Your German shepherd can be ready for leash training at 8-12 weeks. Initially, your aim can be to make her feel comfortable with a leash, collar, or harness. Choose indoor settings initially because your home will have proper boundaries and safe zones. Plus, there will be fewer distractions for the pet. If your little friend pulls the leash, let her do it. Remember, your first job is getting her used to this new equipment.
Once you put the leash on her, let her play and explore. Leash time can vary from 10-15 minutes twice to thrice daily. Some sessions can take place in your backyard, also. Experts say the leash should initially be there for about ten minutes under your supervision.
If you don’t watch over her, she can damage it by chewing or even get trapped in it. There is also a risk of accidentally wrapping it around furniture and other items in the house.
Another thing you need to account for is that leash work can be taxing on your pup’s mental health. In the beginning, it will bite the leash, which is normal. Some pet parents scold their pups for this behavior. However, rewarding her when she is out of the leash will be better. You can use commands like drop or leave to indicate your pet friend to let go of the leash. You can use the verbal orders you taught her during fetch work. There may not be any breakthroughs, but you can notice some improvements in the first few sessions. Eventually, she should be okay with the leash.
At the beginning of the training sessions around the house, your German shepherd will be able to grasp many things about how to walk on the leash safely. However, after a few days, she may not follow you and start showing tantrums. Please don’t do anything when you see resistance regarding the leash until your pet calms down. Once she gets relaxed, you can reward her. The tension on the leash put by you can make her balk, but you can repeat it several times. However, ensure you don’t yank at the leash or drag your dog. There shouldn’t be any unyielding force applied to the leash from your end. It can agitate her more.
It is better to accept that only you lose in the pulling contest, no matter how much you pull her. So, let her be ready for a short walk in the house without thinking about her obeying your leash rules. However, reward her good behavior on the leash immediately. These moments can be her pausing and looking at you for leading the way or letting the leash loose. You can also give her treats if she walks patiently with you. It can be a good idea to toss treats at different places in the house to induce a sense of direction in your puppy. It will also help her stay calm while on the leash and keep her hooked on the task.
- Expanding the training horizon
Consistent training and positive results will confirm that your pup is ready to face a wide range of environments outside the home boundaries. Choose an enclosed area outside. Within the fenced limits, your duty will be to train her for a regular walk. You can introduce additional obedience rules in the training as she grows comfortable outdoors. Although the designated boundaries will be safe for her, there will be higher distractions outside. You can reinforce positive walking habits in her. Walking with her in the enclosed outdoor setting can be more beneficial sometimes than in public for several reasons.
For instance, younger dogs may be vulnerable to viruses in the outdoor environment because of the lack of a robust immune system. Their vaccines continue till age 12-16 weeks. The booster doses only save them partially. Hence, it becomes necessary to keep them away from potential threats like these. Also, you cannot leave your pup in the open without leash work. German Shepherds without leash training can hurt themselves in their arms or try to run away. If you train them, walking in public will be safer for them.
If your pup is aggressive, you can expose them to the fenced area of your yard to avoid unwanted encounters with other pets and people. You can put a muzzle on your dog’s mouth in public places, but it will not control her aggression or stress associated with a new environment.
- Training methods that can work on your German shepherd
Before putting her on a leash for a walk in public, you must ensure she has picked some basic skills. Another thing you need to take care of is picking the familiar routes to make her feel secure. With time, you can venture out more freely. Initially, it is advisable to begin heel training with a stiff leash for higher control of her movement. Make sure she follows these:
- No jumping at other animals or people
- Walking closer to you and not changing sides
- No pulling of the arm because it can injure you, causing disbalance
- Giving attention (her ears will face you if she is attentive)
- Removing the habit of yanking on the leashÂ
As mentioned, the leash can be short but comfortable enough for your puppy. You can increase the leash length with training down the line to give your pup more flexibility. Traditionally, the dog should walk on your left or right side consistently. If the pet snaps on the leash, you can immediately stop walking without dragging it toward you. Your dog will realize it cannot move anymore. If your pup looks at you for direction, you can give a treat and start walking again. You can repeat this behavior every time your pet pulls on her leash. It can test your patience, but the wait is worth it. It can also be the time to expose her to heel command.
Then, if the pup chooses some other direction than what you have shown, it will be better to head in your puppy’s direction. You will also have to be strict when it does anything opposite. After all, you want to eventually slack the leash and reward your little friend for an excellent show.
Leash training is an entire process that involves your continuous efforts and engagement. Some people wonder if they can start the advanced stages of training after basic lessons. Experts say one can train them for agility and herding using a long leash. However, you have to wait for her growth before introducing new exercises. You get different types of leashes and harnesses on the market for training. Pick a suitable fit and size for your pup to avoid hurting her.Â
Also Read: Behavior Training Is A Great Way To Stop Your Dog From Begging For Food At The Dining Table!
