I’ve recently talked about dealing with overwhelm and steps toward teaching your dog self-control. This week, I’m covering another tactic that will greatly accelerate your training.
Ready for it?
Leash Training as a Foundation for a Well-Behaved Dog
One of the best and most underutilized tools in dog training is also one the oldest:
The leash.
Boring? Perhaps, but read on.
Most pet owners use the leash only as an aid on walks. Right when they come back inside, they rush to unclip it like they’re renting by the minute.
Most dog trainers, in contrast, use the leash as an aid for training almost everything. Even off-leash obedience.
How to Use a Leash to Train Your Dog
Dogs that are given too much freedom before they’re ready develop bad habits. They chew things that cost their owners lots of money. They swallow things that require surgery. They use grandma like a tackling dummy and leave a bloody scene that looks straight out of Game of Thrones. They potty where they please and never learn to settle. (Constant pacing is a sign that something’s off.)
The leash is not as exciting as other tools or toys.
But it’s vital to your dog’s training.
A dog that you don’t yet trust to make good decisions needs to be dragging a leash, whether inside or outside.
I understand it’s a little inconvenient.
How to Be the Leader Your Dog Needs
But we owe it to our dogs to give them the guidance they need. The rules of a human household don’t come naturally to most dogs.
I also realize that when you envision the perfect dog you don’t picture them dragging a leash around the house or yard or field.
And I agree.
That freedom is where we’re headed. But if you’re reading this your dog is likely not yet ready for that freedom.
Here’s a nice thing about training dogs:
They are creatures of habit. If we stop the bad habits from forming, they’ll continue to behave well, even without the leash.
So how to use the leash?
Using the Leash as a Tether
If your dog is still in MAJOR TERROR mode, tether the leash to a person for a good chunk of time. Dogs learn a tremendous amount of self-control and respect from this.
In fact, I put every new dog that comes through here on this protocol at times. It allows me to clearly show them the rules. And I believe clarity is something we owe to dogs (and something that far too few dogs experience these days).
Using the Leash to Aid in Housebreaking Your Dog
A dog that is not fully housebroken is also a great candidate for tethering to a person. (Tethering is just a fancy word for: One end of the leash is connected to the dog, one end is connected to the person.)
Dogs that are more trustworthy can simply drag a leash. This allows you to grab the leash if needed. You can even use a cheap, light leash. We’re not teaching heel here.
Teaching Your Dog Manners in the House
This leash guidance will keep your dog from jumping on guests, attacking the windows when something passes, barking at every noise, tearing up couches, or pooping where he pleases.
It allows the dog to feel more secure in its place. Dogs thrive with simple rules. It can also protect other animals in the house from being terrorized by a dog who lacks manners.
Off-Leash Training For Your Dog
Another secret:
Every solid OFF LEASH protocol starts by working the dog extensively ON LEASH.
If your dog is not currently making the right decisions, they need a little help. The leash allows the training to settle in much more quickly because it stops your dog from practicing bad behavior and increases its connection to you.
I’ve seen this simple tactic save the lives of dozens of rescue dogs.
I’ve seen it save the sanity of hundreds if not thousands of people.
So grab the leash, and let’s lead your dog to become the wonderful companion we know they can be.
Looking for personalized training help in the Fresno and Clovis area?
Contact us and let us see if we can help!
Nate Hess is a dog behavior specialist and the owner of Dogspring Training, which provides comprehensive dog training and behavior services in Fresno and Clovis, California. He is a graduate of Stanford University, a member of the International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants (IAABC), and an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs. He lives in Clovis, CA, with his wife, Elaine, and some lovely dogs. He buys A LOT of leashes.