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Introducing your Puppy to his Collar and Lead
Guest Contributor - Niki Elliott
www.puppiesinbalance.co.za
Niki and Kay run Puppies in Balance Puppy School in Bryanston/Sandton and Melkbosstrand in Cape, and are one of our Recommended Puppy Schools. CLICK HERE to find out more about them.
www.puppiesinbalance.co.za
Niki and Kay run Puppies in Balance Puppy School in Bryanston/Sandton and Melkbosstrand in Cape, and are one of our Recommended Puppy Schools. CLICK HERE to find out more about them.
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Introducing your puppy to his collar, harness or leash can be a challenge. However, if your puppy is trained properly it will not be traumatic for the puppy and will be simple, satisfying and successful for you both. We often have puppies arriving at the school without a collar or a leash, and the new owners always say, “He doesn’t like his collar and won’t walk when the leash is on”.
Young puppies are often bewildered or unsure of themselves and their newly acquired collar or harness and leash. It takes a short while for a puppy to adjust to a collar or harness. Start with some TTouches over the puppy’s body. I have never seen a “TTouched” puppy bothered by a collar or harness for more than five minutes! Choose a collar that fits comfortably but securely. A flat collar is the best, either a material one or very light leather one. Then simply put the collar on the puppy and let him jump, squirm, roll and paw at it if he wishes. If your puppy has been conditioned to a clicker, distract him by asking for a sit or some other behaviour that he knows and click and treat. Play with him with his favourite toy. Don't encourage the squirming and rolling about by laughing or trying to soothe him. Do not reprimand him. The procedure is the same if you are using a harness instead of a collar. I have found using a material step-in harness to be very successful on puppies, as no pressure is put on the puppy’s throat.
Once your puppy accepts the collar, put his leash on and then just sit and watch. Obviously, do this indoors or in a secure confined area. Let puppy drag the leash around on his own but keep a close eye on him so that he doesn't tangle or get hurt. Leave it on for just a few minutes at first. Later, repeat the exercise for longer periods of time. Put your puppy on leash during mealtimes, so he associates the leash with a pleasant event. If he is very fearful of the leash, you may want to put it next to the food bowl for a while before attaching it to his collar. Eventually he will see that no harm is coming and there indeed is nothing to be afraid of. When you are sure he is completely comfortable walking around with the leash on, pick up the other end for a few minutes. Do not try walking him yet. Just hold onto the other end and let him lead you around. Try not to get into a position that will make him pull or strain on the leash or he will probably become afraid of it again. If he sits down, that is okay. You just sit down too. Try backing up and enticing him to come towards you. If he hesitates, don't pull or drag him by the leash. Try putting a line of small treats on the floor so he walks up to each treat or lure him over to you with a food treat or toy. When he starts to walk, praise him or (if clicker savvy) click and treat each step. Give him lots of time to get used to his leash and always try to make it a pleasant experience. Give your pup lots of practice walking on a loose leash at home, since it is a familiar environment with minimal distractions. When he is comfortable indoors, try going outdoors. Again, begin in an area with few distractions such as your front or back yard. When the two of you have mastered this, you are ready for places where there are more distractions. This exercise won't be difficult, since you've both had lots of practice beforehand at getting it right.
Young puppies are often bewildered or unsure of themselves and their newly acquired collar or harness and leash. It takes a short while for a puppy to adjust to a collar or harness. Start with some TTouches over the puppy’s body. I have never seen a “TTouched” puppy bothered by a collar or harness for more than five minutes! Choose a collar that fits comfortably but securely. A flat collar is the best, either a material one or very light leather one. Then simply put the collar on the puppy and let him jump, squirm, roll and paw at it if he wishes. If your puppy has been conditioned to a clicker, distract him by asking for a sit or some other behaviour that he knows and click and treat. Play with him with his favourite toy. Don't encourage the squirming and rolling about by laughing or trying to soothe him. Do not reprimand him. The procedure is the same if you are using a harness instead of a collar. I have found using a material step-in harness to be very successful on puppies, as no pressure is put on the puppy’s throat.
Once your puppy accepts the collar, put his leash on and then just sit and watch. Obviously, do this indoors or in a secure confined area. Let puppy drag the leash around on his own but keep a close eye on him so that he doesn't tangle or get hurt. Leave it on for just a few minutes at first. Later, repeat the exercise for longer periods of time. Put your puppy on leash during mealtimes, so he associates the leash with a pleasant event. If he is very fearful of the leash, you may want to put it next to the food bowl for a while before attaching it to his collar. Eventually he will see that no harm is coming and there indeed is nothing to be afraid of. When you are sure he is completely comfortable walking around with the leash on, pick up the other end for a few minutes. Do not try walking him yet. Just hold onto the other end and let him lead you around. Try not to get into a position that will make him pull or strain on the leash or he will probably become afraid of it again. If he sits down, that is okay. You just sit down too. Try backing up and enticing him to come towards you. If he hesitates, don't pull or drag him by the leash. Try putting a line of small treats on the floor so he walks up to each treat or lure him over to you with a food treat or toy. When he starts to walk, praise him or (if clicker savvy) click and treat each step. Give him lots of time to get used to his leash and always try to make it a pleasant experience. Give your pup lots of practice walking on a loose leash at home, since it is a familiar environment with minimal distractions. When he is comfortable indoors, try going outdoors. Again, begin in an area with few distractions such as your front or back yard. When the two of you have mastered this, you are ready for places where there are more distractions. This exercise won't be difficult, since you've both had lots of practice beforehand at getting it right.
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