Ok, so you've got yourself a dog, you've trained him to go potty where you want to and now you want to take him out for a stroll without having him dash into the street all willy nilly, it's time to learn the leash training dog methodology, a simple process that really works.
When taking this approach there are a few pointers that will help keep you on track, and keep your canine safe and sound.
Firstly, we want to choose a leash that's not too long.
A shorter leash will give you better control over your little bud and keep them on the straight and narrow.
The length of the leash is going to vary depending on the breed, the dog's size, and the dog's temperament.
If your dog is calm and slightly larger, then choosing a longer leash is just fine, but if they are small and like to run wild then a shorter leash is appropriate, use your best judgment.
A lot of folks think that a leash of 5 to 6 feet is generally appropriate, but if your dog is on the calm side and you can train them quickly then you can give them some breathing room with a longer leash.
Training you puppy or younger dog to follow your commands, heel, and walk with you instead of pulling against you is the name of the game.
Have you ever seen that dog that will simply stay put even if a nice juicy steak is put within two feet of them? That's your goal, total command.
And the way to do it is to have a whole lot of tiny treats in your pocket when you start going on your training walks.
Take the lead and get your dog to follow along with you, if they start to run gently pull on the leash to stop them, and then pause and resume the lead.
If they run again, then pull, eventually they will learn to follow, and when they do, it's time for a treat.
Every single time they do something that you want, it's treat time.
Once you have them walking along with you, you can proceed to getting them to heel (stop and stay put) as well as any other commands you like, again, focus on the reward system and be patient and consistent, consistency is key, in the beginning it make seem frustrating but eventually with consistency they will start to "get it" and you'll have some nice breakthroughs.
Choose a comfortable collar for your dog and a leather leash, preferably, if you choose nylon you're risking a burned hand and if you choose a chain link leash then you could hurt your dog, Never ever use a choke collar, that's just plain cruel for most dogs.
Performing the leash training dog methodology correctly relies on us to be consistent, firm, fair, and rewarding, like a good parent.
This is the only way to see good results.