After getting your purebred puppy used to its new home, it’s time to introduce them to your neighborhood. As an adoption center for puppies, we get lots of questions about leash training. Continue reading to learn our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
On your first walk outside, follow our tips for leash training to help your puppy grow up confident and well-behaved. While we start basic puppy training at our store, you’ll need to continue these efforts on your own for your puppy to get used to walking on a leash without pulling or other negative behaviors. Puppies for adoption require plenty of love, understanding, and patience.
Tips for Leash Training
Why is leash training important?
Your puppy won’t like walking on a leash at first, but this will change once they get used to the feeling of the collar or harness. The first walk is crucial for helping your puppy feel confident outside. Keep the leash loose and let them explore at their own pace. During early puppyhood, you have the opportunity to make a good impression on your puppy so they look forward to being walked.
Why is my puppy afraid of being outside?
Don’t be concerned if your puppy is cautious (or skittish) on their first walk. Some purebred puppies have to get used to moving cars, pedestrians, and other distractions before they can build their confidence. In fact, some dogs just want to sit and watch the world go by before they feel comfortable moving forward. Be patient and give your puppy enough time to adjust to their new surroundings, which may take hours or days.
How do I avoid leash pulling?
Some puppies are confident enough to explore their outdoor surroundings right away. If your puppy tries to pull on the leash, we recommend getting a front-clip harness. A front clip-harness resists leash pulling so your puppy can learn better behaviors while on your walk.
It’s important to understand that how you and your puppy see the world is very different. For example, your puppy may see a cyclist as prey that’s fun to chase. You’ll have more success with leash training if you understand how your puppy views the world.
What if my puppy hates their leash?
Our puppies for adoption receive basic training in our store. However, it will be your responsibility to make sure they receive the rest of their training. If your puppy hates the feel of being on a leash, have them wear it indoors. While your puppy is wearing their collar or harness, get them to play with one of their favorite toys. The distraction will be enough to get them used to the feel of being on a leash.
While your puppy is at an impressionable age, it’s important to create positive experiences during leash training. Your puppy will be more receptive to wearing a leash if they associate it with having fun. Remember that leash training a puppy takes time.
How do puppy training classes help?
During puppy training, you’ll learn more tips for how to get your dog to be well-behaved on their next walk. Puppy training classes are also a great opportunity to socialize your puppy so they’re used to being around other humans and animals.
When you visit our adoption center for puppies, you can have peace of mind knowing our dog breeders have already done a great deal of puppy socialization. The dog breeders we work with make puppy socialization a priority.
We are dedicated to helping purebred puppies find their forever homes with loving families. If you are interested in our puppies for sale, call The Barking Boutique at (616) 446-6766.
