The puppy and the lead on a leash
Another thing that is often asked of me is "How to teach your puppy to walk on a leash". Strolling in a relaxed way, without the little one pulling like a tractor. Is it possible to teach our Italian Greyhound puppy, how to walk relaxed beside us? How can we train that? Short or long leash?
Personally, with the puppies I start the leash training ... without using a leash! First of all, I teach the puppy on who to orient himself when conducting the lead, in this case on me.
There is a difference between being on a leash and "minding your own business", sniffing around for needs. Conduct training always comes after the dog has fulfilled its physiological needs. Of course, to go to the toilet, I leave the leash very long and follow the dog while it looks for "the right place to do it" (if it is on a leash) or I leave it free (if the area is fenced and safe, for example your garden) Only after I start with the training.
Remember that in puppies, training sessions should be short.
"Finding your way around me" , it means that the puppy is attentive to what I do, paying attention to any change of direction. To do this, that is to walk beside me without the use of a leash, I have to be very interesting for my puppy.
Il clickr training, for example, is a great way to get the dog's attention, in a playful way, at home, dedicating 5 minutes a day to getting him used to paying attention (click / reward). Of course the. Click will then be replaced by the word "look at me"
For those who are "in awe" of the clicker: in this video, taken at random on YouTube, it is clear how to teach the "look at me" even without the use of Clicker.
Once the little one has learned, or rather that YOU have learned, to attract the puppy's attention ("look at me!") I start the conduct without the leash, rewarding the puppy for everything done well. Here I feel great with mine silicone handbag to contain prizes. The treats, in this phase, must be really tasty, (in dogs not very interested in food I sometimes use pieces of dried fish, dried lung , dried tripe ,
The next step when the puppy will be able to walk beside me and be rewarded for this desired behavior, and the use of a leash.
I recommend this type of education, that is, conduct WITHOUT the leash, must be performed exclusively in safe, fenced areas, e WITHOUT the presence of elements, dogs, cats, children etc, which can distract / disturb the puppy during training. Your own backyard is an ideal place to do this type of exercise, as long as it is well fenced and safe.
But which leash I have to use??
I always recommend using a very long leash that is not too heavy but sturdy and puppy-proof. Personally, I don't like extendable leashes. This type of leash is loud and "snaps", this feature can easily scare a puppy of Piccolo Levriero Italiano. With the extendable leash, the dog must force against the leash to gain space. Consequently what does it associate? yeah: “the more I shoot, the more space I get”, right? I love the leather leads made by my husband Luigi. They are very pleasant to the touch, rustic and indestructible but at the same time very elegant.
As many of you know, Luigi makes tailor-made leashes and collars. For the training of puppies and puppies we use leather leashes thin 8 mm, in leather that weigh very little. This kind of lead wire leather gives a lot of space to the puppy, to be able to teach him to come to us even when he stops. In that case, let's go a few steps away, kneeling and calling the puppy with a treat in hand without ever pulling the leash or "dragging" the dog. The leather lead is very rustic and it doesn't matter if it hangs on the ground or if it gets dirty / wet etc.
You can ask for advice on the leads using the following contact form, or order directly, using the chat or Whatsapp here on the site or send an email to info@lupavaro.com. If you prefer to call me, we are available at. +39 3495118482 (Valeria) or at +39 393 8265109 (Luigi)
