Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The First Steps Of Pup Walking

By Wendon Lee


Getting your puppy to wear a collar as well as the leash attached to it isn't as hard as getting a horse to accept reigns and a saddle. Yes, it may seem that way at times, particularly with an overly-frisky puppy, but it is one of the vital rites of passage within your young puppy's life. Here's how it is possible to make it as pain-free as possibleboth of you.

Commence with just the collar and no leash. That is enough of an adjustment for a puppy who is new to both. The collar ought to be flat and lightweight. The conventional leather strap and buckle is fine, but so will be the far more contemporary nylon (and it's less complicated to keep clean). Your puppy could quite properly try to wriggle out of the collar shortly following you put it on him (human babies have the identical reaction to unfamiliar headgear like party hats). If your puppy is a wriggler, you just need to maintain the collar on until he gets utilized to it (in other words, don't take it off regardless of just how much of a fuss your puppy makes). Eventually, the puppy will quit resisting the collar, at which point you obviously reward him having a ton of praise and a treat.

Now attach the leash to the collar, which ought to be four to six feet in length and produced of the identical lightweight material. (Chain leashes are too heavy for all but the largest dogs and not recommended for puppies of any breed.) Don't pick up the leash at this point. Basically let the puppy drag it behind him, once again giving him the chance to get employed to this new encounter in his brief life. Only intervene if he straights chewing on the leash. That's a habit you can undoubtedly discourage long prior to it becomes ingrained.

Now you might be ready to pick up your end of the leash. At this early stage, you are able to let him do the exploring and you the following. But even then, be certain you let the puppy know what behavior will likely be expected of him. So do not let him pull on the leash, reward him when he does not, and you might save yourself a whole lot of grief later.

By the way, in no way use a "choke collar" on a puppy. These devices, which tighten around the throat when the puppy pulls forward, will make him associate the collar with discomfort and pain. That's no way to tell your puppy you really like him, and adore will be the greatest teacher of all.




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