Leash training is crucial for all dog owners. It might look like dogs know how to behave on a leash, but they need training.
Sarah and her Welsh Corgi, Daisy, had a rocky start. Adding Daisy to her family excited Sarah. Yet, Daisy’s leash behavior was a challenge. She would pull and get distracted easily.
Sarah needed help, so she looked for expert advice on leash training. She found great tips from dog trainer Kathy Santo. With new insights, she was ready to train Daisy properly.
Today, Sarah and Daisy enjoy their walks together. Their strong bond shines through their leash skills. Passersby notice their seamless teamwork and impressive manners.
If Sarah can do it with Daisy, so can you! Dive into the secrets to make walking your Welsh companion a breeze.
Key Takeaways:
- Leash training must be learned, even for Welsh companions.
- Advice from experts like Kathy Santo is invaluable for improving leash manners.
- Correct techniques and regular practice can enhance walking experiences.
- Success in leash training comes with patience and dedication.
- Soon, we’ll share essential leash training secrets and tips for your Welsh companion.
Introduce the Puppy to the Collar and Leash
The first step in leash training your Welsh companion involves them getting used to a collar or harness and a leash. Making them comfortable with these items is key.
Start by having your puppy wear the collar or harness and leash indoors for short times. Play with them while they have it on and give treats. This makes collar-and-leash time fun and rewarding.
Remember, the goal is to make your puppy feel at ease and associate the collar and leash with positive experiences.
The collar or harness needs to fit right, not too tight or too loose. It should be snug, yet allow your puppy to move comfortably.
- First, put the collar or harness around your puppy’s neck or body, as appropriate.
- Then, attach the leash and let your puppy explore with your supervision.
- Allow them to walk around the house with the leash hanging, making sure they don’t get stuck.
- Use treats and praise to encourage your puppy throughout this stage.
Introducing your puppy to the collar and leash positively and slowly is important. It lays the groundwork for successful training in the future.
Teach a Cue for Food Motivation
Leash training your puppy can be easy with the right trick. Teaching them a cue for food motivation helps a lot. It makes them focus and like being on a leash.
Pick a cue that you and your puppy like. It could be a sound, a word like “yes,” or even a click. What’s key is being regular and quick with it.
Start in a quiet spot with your puppy on a leash. Have treats ready to go.
Use your chosen cue and watch your puppy react. Reward them with a treat when they look at you. This helps them link the cue with getting a treat.
Do this many times when you train. Soon, your puppy will get excited by the cue. They’ll come to you expecting a treat.
Training takes patience and sticking to it. Your puppy might need time to get the hang of the cue and reward link. But keep at it. Use positive vibes, and they’ll soon master leash walking with food motivation.
This technique is golden for leash training. Try it and see your puppy do great!
Make the Puppy Come to You
Once your puppy gets used to their collar or harness and leash, it’s training time. Teaching them to come when called is crucial. It keeps them safe and lets you control them during walks.
Start by encouraging your puppy to come while on the leash. Take a few steps back and call them by name or say “come”. You can also signal with your hand.
When your puppy comes to you, give them treats and praise. This makes them see coming to you as a good thing.
As they get better, increase the distance you back up. This improves their ability to come to you, no matter how far.
Keep training sessions short, since puppies can only focus for a bit. This keeps them interested in learning. Stop before they get too tired.
Practice Inside
Once your puppy knows how to come to you, try leash training indoors. This step gets your puppy comfortable with a leash. They need to get used to how it feels and looks.
Pick a room with few distractions for leash practice. Make sure it’s big enough for your puppy to move around easily.
First, put the leash on your puppy’s collar or harness. Let them wander in the room with the leash on. Watch them closely to stop any bad behavior or accidents.
Encourage your puppy to come to you with treats and praise. Use the sound cue you taught them. When they come to you, give them a treat and praise them.
Keep doing this, slowly making them walk longer distances to you. Once they’re ok with the leash, start doing short walks inside the room.
Make training fun and short, as puppies can’t focus for too long. End the sessions while your puppy still wants to play.
Indoor leash training helps your puppy feel safe with the leash. It makes them ready for outside walks later on.
Session | Leash Behavior | Notes |
---|---|---|
1 | Puppy shows resistance, tries to bite or remove leash | Be patient and use positive reinforcement |
2 | Puppy walks a few steps with leash on, responds well to cue | Continue using treats and praise as rewards |
3 | Puppy walks confidently on leash, looks comfortable | Gradually increase the distance of walks |
4 | Puppy walks in different directions, responds well to cue | Ensure a positive and encouraging training environment |
Take it Outside
After your furry friend learns to walk on a leash inside, it’s time to go outside. This is key to help them learn about the world outside. They’ll get used to new things they see, hear, and smell.
Outside, your puppy will see, smell, and hear new things. These can catch their attention. Start with short walks and slowly make them longer. This helps your puppy get used to being outside.
If your puppy gets too excited or distracted, use your special sound to get their attention. Then, calmly walk away with them. Give them a treat when they follow. This teaches them to pay attention to you, not the distraction.
Leash training outside is harder because of all the new distractions. Keep calm and use the same training steps you used inside. With time, your puppy will get better at walking on a leash, even when there are lots of distractions.
To show how you’re doing, here’s a table. It lists the steps and goals in leash training:
Leash Training Progress | Description |
---|---|
Step 1: Introduction to collar and leash | Introduce your puppy to wearing a collar or harness and a leash in a positive and fun way. |
Step 2: Teaching a cue for food motivation | Establish a sound cue that signals food is coming, creating motivation for your puppy to come to you. |
Step 3: Making the puppy come to you | Teach your puppy to come to you when they hear the cue sound and encourage them to walk a few paces with you. |
Step 4: Practicing inside | Practice leash training in a controlled environment, focusing on loose-leash walking and building your puppy’s confidence. |
Step 5: Taking it outside | Transition your training sessions to outdoor environments, gradually exposing your puppy to new distractions while reinforcing good behavior. |
Step 6: Troubleshooting leash training issues | Address common issues that may arise during leash training, such as pulling, lunging, or barking at other dogs. |
Step 7: Rewarding good leash behavior | Consistently reward your puppy for walking calmly on a leash, reinforcing desired behavior and encouraging further progress. |
Troubleshooting Leash Training Issues
As your puppy gets older and sees new places, you might face some leash training problems. It’s important to solve these problems for better walks. Doing so also gets your furry friend ready for the Canine Good Citizen test.
Addressing Pulling Behavior
If your dog pulls on the leash, stop it before it becomes a normal thing. Becoming “a tree” by standing still and not moving works well. This shows them pulling won’t get them anywhere and to keep the leash loose.
Dealing with Lunging Behavior
Lunging needs quick action to change your dog’s focus. Carry a treat during walks for this. If they lock onto something, like another dog or a squirrel, use the treat to get their attention. Then move them away. This teaches patience and reduces lunging.
Managing Barking at Other Dogs
Barking at other dogs is another leash training hurdle. Keeping your dog busy mentally and physically can lessen this. Use puzzle toys or obedience training for their brain. For their body, take daily walks or have playtime. Use a treat or cue to shift their attention if they see another dog. This makes meeting other dogs a positive thing, stopping the barking.
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Pulling | Turn yourself into “a tree” and refuse to move until your dog comes back to you. |
Lunging | Redirect your dog’s attention with treats and increase the distance between them and the target. |
Barking at other dogs | Ensure your dog receives enough mental and physical stimulation and redirect their attention before they start barking. |
Using positive ways to train and being consistent helps you face these challenges. This makes walks better for you and your pet.
Always Reward Good Leash Behavior
Rewarding good behavior while leash training your dog is key. Dogs want to do things that get them treats, praise, or new things to explore. Always appreciate and reward their good behavior on the leash.
Give a treat or a happy “good boy” or “good girl” when your dog walks nicely. This shows you see their effort and they’re doing things right.
In the beginning, reward your dog a lot. This makes them love walking nicely on a leash. Over time, you can give fewer treats but keep up the praise to stay motivated.
“Rewarding your dog’s good leash behavior reinforces their positive association with leash training and encourages them to continue exhibiting the desired behavior.”
Always be consistent with rewards. No matter the walk’s length, always reward good behavior. This helps your dog make the connection between their behavior and getting rewards, making them more likely to do it again in the future.
Positive reinforcement isn’t just effective; it’s a kind, fun way to connect with your pet. Rewarding good leash behavior makes training a positive, bonding experience.
Rewarding Good Leash Behavior | Positive Reinforcement Dog Training |
---|---|
Offer treats as rewards | Use positive verbal cues |
Praise with enthusiasm | Provide occasional rewards |
Be consistent in rewarding | Create a positive training experience |
Strengthen the bond with your dog | Encourage repeat behavior |
Never Let Your Dog Walk When They Are Pulling
To stop your dog from pulling on the leash, you must not let them walk while doing so. It’s key to break the habit showing them that pulling won’t get them anywhere. If your dog starts to pull, stop and stand your ground.
Stand still until they come back to you or the leash goes slack. This method teaches them that pulling won’t help them move forward. Keep doing this, and they will learn to walk without pulling on the leash.
Incorporate Life Rewards on Your Walk
Make your dog’s walks better by adding life rewards to them. Walks should be more than just bathroom breaks. They should also give your dog physical and mental fun. Using positive training during walks makes bonding stronger and teaches good leash manners.
Look for chances to treat your dog when they act as you wish on walks. Let them sniff around or say hi to someone new (if they agree) as special treats. This teaches your dog to be nice on the leash for rewards.
Positive training works best. Praise your dog and give them treats when they behave well on a walk. This kind of training makes your dog eager and happy about learning. It makes walking together fun and easy.
Benefits of Incorporating Life Rewards:
- Strengthens the bond between you and your dog
- Encourages and reinforces good leash behavior
- Provides mental stimulation during walks
- Makes the walking experience more engaging and enjoyable
- Enhances overall training success and obedience
Adding life rewards to your walks makes them better for your pet. Always be consistent with your treats and praise. Soon, you’ll have a dog that walks well, making each walk a joy.
Reward Ideas | Description |
---|---|
Treats | Small, bite-sized treats that your dog finds irresistible |
Praise and Affection | Verbal praise, petting, and belly rubs to show your dog that their good behavior is appreciated |
Opportunity to Sniff | Allowing your dog to explore interesting smells and scents during the walk |
Meet and Greet | Allowing your dog to say hello to friendly dogs or strangers (with their permission) |
Playtime | Stopping for a short play session with their favorite toy |
Conclusion
Teaching your Welsh dog to walk nicely on a leash is a valuable skill. To do this, you’ll need to grasp the specifics of Welsh breed behavior. Follow Kathy Santo’s expert advice for the best results.
Using treats, praise, and rewards helps build positive leash habits. Patience, consistency, and rewards turn your dog into a polite walking partner. This approach is essential.
If your dog pulls or lunges, you’ll need to find solutions. Address these problems with the right training moves. With rewards and regular practice, successful leash training is within reach.
FAQ
What is leash training?
Why is leash training important?
When should I start leash training my Welsh puppy?
How do I introduce my puppy to wearing a collar and leash?
What cue should I use for food motivation during leash training?
How do I make my puppy come to me during leash training?
How can I practice leash training inside?
How do I take leash training outside?
What should I do if my dog pulls on the leash?
How can I incorporate life rewards on our walks?
Source Links
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/expert-tips-dog-leash-issues/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teach-puppy-walk-leash/
- https://www.bowwowlabs.com/blogs/news/loose-leash-walking-step-by-step-guide

Carlos is the passionate founder and primary author behind “CorgisCorner.com,” a website dedicated to all things related to the beloved Corgi breed. Born and raised in a small town known for its strong sense of community and love for animals, Carlos developed a deep affection for Corgis from a young age. This love was sparked by his childhood companion, a spirited and loyal Corgi named Toby, who was a constant source of joy and friendship.