Training your puppy or dog to walk on a leash is necessary. It can even save your pet’s life if you take your pet outside. In this article, I’ll show you how to get a stubborn dog to walk on a leash and provide you with tips on how to leash train a dog.
You might be wondering why do I need to learn this? Well, proper leash training makes walking more comfortable and safer for your dog. Walking your dog is necessary as it provides good exercise for the dog, and for you, the dog owner, it is also a time to have fun and bond with your dog. However, some dogs are stubborn when it comes to leashes.
Once they have one around their neck, they refuse to walk, or they start pulling back. This is a worry for most dog owners, as some don’t know how to handle the situation. To help you, I’ll be showing you how to make a stubborn dog wear a leash and providing you with the best least training tips so you can start your walks as soon as possible.
First of all, there are some things you need to get in place and ready for training;
Table of Contents
Leash and Collar/Harness
The reason why your dog is acting stubborn could be that you’re making use of the wrong leash and collar. The right collar shouldn’t be tight on your dog’s neck, yet, it should be secure.
Even though I mentioned collars, you can also choose to use a harness if the dog is very stubborn or if it’s a dog that likes to pull as it could strain and injure its neck while pulling on the collar if you choose a bad collar. Choosing the right collar is essential in helping you manage and train a stubborn dog or a dog that likes to pull. See our post on the Best training collar for dogs that pull and stubborn dogs here for more information.
Furthermore, it would be best to get a somewhat long leash that gives your dog an accommodating space. However, it shouldn’t be too long; an ideal leash length is 1 to 2 meters.
Another thing to check is the leash condition. Check the leash clip to ensure it is secure and sturdy, and the leash itself should be void of damages or frays else; it’ll break when your dog starts pulling.
It should also be cleaned from time to time as dirt isn’t healthy for your dog; it could lead to skin irritation.
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Walking Difficulties & Distractions
Walking difficulties and distractions can be some of the reasons why your dog could act stubborn when put on a leash. For instance, your dog could have pains from injury or arthritis; hence, they’ll be uninterested in taking walks.
If you pull your dog out from playing with its toys for a walk or disturb a meal, it could resist walking as it’ll be unhappy. There might also be other nearby items that draw your dog’s attention as you walk. It could be something that excites them or scares them. Furthermore, if your dog had a previous owner, it could have had bad experiences with leash-walking.
If you can identify the cause of your dog’s stubbornness or refusal to corporate on a leash, getting it to stop the problem behavior will be easier.
That aside, here are some great tips on how to get a stubborn dog to walk on a leash;
Reduce The Leash Length
If your dog doesn’t walk when given accommodating space with a lengthy leash, shorten the leash so you get firmer control. Your dog would feel your pull for it to walk better. This will also put your dog’s focus on you and away from any distraction.
Make Your Dog Familiar With The Leash
A dog that hasn’t been on a leash much is likely to act stubborn. Making it familiar with the leash can get it to like it. You can rub your dog’s favorite scent on the leash, so it’s attracted to it and also put the collar on even when you’re indoors.
Make Use Of Commands
Many dogs are intelligent, and they easily understand commands. You can say commands like “Come on” “Move” “Let’s go”. It’s ideal to use a friendly voice; this is most important when it comes to how to train a puppy to walk on a leash as puppies are still trying to learn your needs and preferences.
Check For Injuries On Your Dog
If you usually take your dog for leash walks and suddenly it starts acting stubborn, it could be due to injury. You should check its’ feet and legs for common injuries like swelling, cuts, and bruises. If you discover any injuries and it looks serious, your next trip should be to a vet.
Walk Dog Faster
If your dog is stubborn due to distractions as you walk, walking faster is an ideal fix. When you walk faster, there will be less time for your pet to notice these distractions.
Reward Your Dog With Treats
While on walks, you can give your pet treats to keep it happy. You can also give them some after every successful walk. This will make them anticipate future walks, and with time, you can drop it gradually.
Bottom Line
Some dog owners take their stubborn dogs to professional trainers for leash training. However, I believe the tips provided here on how to get a stubborn dog to walk on a leash will help you correct the behavior on your own. Leash training is very important and needs to be done as soon as you can find time to According to Puplife, a dog leash can even save your pets’ life, so make an effort to get started immediately.
Finally, it’s important to have patience while trying to correct this behavior. All forms of training take time; you just need to be consistent and patient and see results and a behavior change in your dog.
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