Leash & Collar

Author: Denise Partlow

Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas

When your puppy first arrives at your home she will most likely not be familiar with a leash or collar/harness. So it’s important that you take the time to help your dog become accustomed to these tools. You’ll need to have a gradual approach here because if you are too abrupt with the introduction, your puppy’s initial reaction may be to resist.

Place the collar on your puppy for the first couple of days just so that she is comfortable with something around her neck. If you choose to also use a harness you can put a harness on her as well, but maybe only keep it on for an hour at a time, working up her tolerance. After two or three days you can attach a leash to the collar or harness. But don’t try to use the leash just yet, let it drag behind her so that she gets familiar with feeling that little bit of pressure.

When she’s walking around with the leash dragging behind her, gently pick up the leash and walk with her but keep the leash out of her reach and use encouraging praise.

You can do this outside as well but you might want to start following her around without holding the leash first and then gently pick it up later on. This is not the time to be using this leash to reel her in, that can come later after she has developed a familiarity with the leash and does not resist the tension.

Another way to set your dog up for success when it comes time to teach her leash manners, is teaching her how to follow you even without you holding the leash. Always have food on you and reward her for walking with you and practice luring her around with a treat; this is when you move the treat around close to her nose and she follows it for a few seconds and then you give it to her.

Once your pup is walking on the leash with ease, you can start using the leash as a way to tether her to you throughout the day. Let her follow you around the house and when it’s time to rest, sit down and help her to learn how to rest even when attached to a leash. This will aid you greatly in the future.