One of the biggest complaints I hear from clients with large breed puppies is that the puppies pull when walking on-leash. It doesn't take long for them to figure out how strong they are and once they learn to pull on the leash, it can be difficult to break them of the habit. So, if your pup is destined to be a very large, strong adult dog, the sooner you start teaching him to walk politely on leash, the better!
I do NOT advocate the use of shock collars, choke chains, or prong collars on any dog. Instead, start early with training collars such as the Holt Head Collar, the Halti, or the Gentle Leader for dogs with average muzzles. For brachycephalic (short-muzzled) breeds and all toy dogs, use a harness, like the Sporn No-Pull, the Weiss Walkie, or the Easy Walk.
Keep in mind that training head collars and harnesses are tools to teach your puppy that walking calmly beside you is the place to be. They should never be paired with aversives, such as yelling at your puppy or yanking sharply on his leash. Instead, use treats and praise to encourage your puppy when he is walking at your side.
No comments:
Post a Comment