leash training

[mastinson]

At what age would be appropriate to train puppies for a leash? My pups are 7 weeks old and just buckle up and calapse when I try to get them used to walking with a leash. Any tips?

[Tree climber]

first off when they are that young they will not lead,you have to just let them get used to the leash.just keep it on them and when they fall or roll over just let go and wait till they get up and go again.they will get use to it soon enough.patiance is the name of the game.(that is what it is to them ; a game)

[DUCKSTAMPEDE]

Really depends what type of leash and collar you are using. It is recommended that you use a 24-36" poly type leash with a light collar when you first start. Let them walk around with it on without holding it. It should be long enough that you can pick it up but not so long they trip over it when they walk. 8 weeks is about the right time to start-you don't want them to dread the leash as you begin.

[Doc E]

Put a short (6' to 8') lead on them, with semi-heavy (7/8" diameter) rope -- and just let them pull it around as you go for your walk with them.

[jashoffa]

The late Bill Tarant, wrote for Field and Stream and several training books, suggests the use of a whelping box check cord. He advocates the use of a string tied with a non-slipping knot around each puppies neck leaving a "tail" on the end about 4 or 5 inches long. He states that this helps to teach the puppie to give to the lead as the others see the string move they will play with and pull on the "tail".

I have never used it, just passing it along.

[rugerno1]

The book referred above by Bill Tarrant was written with Delmar Smith. It also recommends the "chain gang" for lead training. The book recommends multiple dogs, but I only had 1. I staked an 18" length of chain in the ground and tied my GSP out. She barked and jumped and pulled. You need to water and/or feed the dog throughout the day as you do this. Depending on your dogs' will, the amount of time you need to leave the dog out changes. My GSP was out for 4 hours the initial time, and 2 the second. She walks on lead beautifully. If she starts to pull, she goes back on the "gang". The key is to not let the dog see you unless you are bringing food or water and don't let off until the barking and pulling stops. The other neat thing is that you, the loving master, never had a part in the negative parts of this excercise, only the chain and the stake. You get to be the hero with water and when you let the dog off. If this method interests you, you really should read the information in the book.