It's summer, good weather and a great time to start training. Two of the most important things you should train your puppy to do is walk on a leash and COME. All the other tricks can come later. I will discuss the "come" in a future Blog.Walking on a leash is so important. If you want to take your Yorkie with you wherever you go, they have to be on a leash. You can't expect your little dog to stay by your side if you have to put them on the ground. How do you start? First you have to get them used to wearing a collar so if you have not done so, put it on and leave it on for a few days. They may be annoyed and scratch at it incessently, but that's ok...........they soon will just forget that they have it on. Once accustomed to the collar, take your puppy outside or start inside the house attaching your leash. A 6 foot lead is great, but if you can't find one that long anything you have will do. You can always tie on a piece of clothes line to make it longer initially.
For the first few days, don't drag or pull on your puppy. Take them out and let them explore, going out to the end of the leash. Soon they will learn, humphhhh.....I can only go so far. If they pull to much and get all excited, call to them to come and they will let up. If they come to you....praise praise praise. (this is the beginning of the COME). After the few sessions of length leash, then shorten it to its natural length and take your pup out. Consistently walk your pup on the right or the left. Your choice. Show walking is always on the left but if you are going to walk with traffic, you may want to teach on the right. Shorten the lead in your hand so the leash is taught but not so you lift your baby off the ground. Use words like "Let's go", Walkie, or whatever you choose, but be consistent and always use those words. Give a slight tug and hopefully you will be on your way.........at least for a few steps. If it works, do it again. Now, for the stubborn little ones who sit or lie down and won't move, and you feel like you are dragging them a foot at a time.
A little trick that really works. Hook on your leash, take the leash and go down around your pup under the front legs, then feed your leash either back thru the rung that you hooked on or under the top of the collar itself. This creates a natural harness effect. Then try again. The pressure and pull is on the chest instead of the neck, your baby should move forward. Even if they move a few feet, praise praise praise. This all takes time and you will be amazed that after a few sessions they will get it. Don't give up, keep trying and soon they will be walking beside you nicely. If your pup pulls you and won't walk beside you .........use the natural harness to gain more control and keep them beside you. Good luck. By the way, the natural harness technique works great with older dogs that pull pull when on a lead. Once they stop, you can just hook the leash on like a pro. Holly
No comments:
Post a Comment