We would like to know the proper way to leash train our pups and also to teach the "come" command. Right now we are taking them outside at seperate times with their leashes on and letting them drag the leash around behind them in the yard. We are supervising very closely to make sure they don't get hung up on something. We would also like them to learn to come when called. As of right now they don't pay much attention when we call. Any help or suggestions would be fantastic as we would like to start working on this immediately so we can all enjoy walks together at some point.
Leash training and the "come" command
- Thread starter Missysmom
- Start date
W
dragging the leash is fine, I use a long line 15 feet or so, you can go longer later. I never call if I don't have control over them coming or not. At first I wait till they looking at me, and I call them, they usually come running and I pet praise and treat. Then after they have that down pretty well, i'll wait till they are sniffing something or not paying attention and I'll call their name. If they don't come the get some gentle tugs on the leash, to get their attention and they come running, praise and reward. I never call if they can chose to ignore or leave me and get away with it. It just teaches them they don't have to listen to you if they chose not to. I have zero problems with recalls later. Only use one command, don't keep saying their name or come over and over again, it just teaches them to ignore commands.
We have been using their names when we call and we also crouch down to their level when calling. This seems to get their attention. When they come running we tell them how good they are and they get a scratch and a pet. It seems to work well and they are learning. We usually call when we are in the yard after we have done the potty time. When they have sniffed around a bit and it's time to go in, we call while crouching to their level. With the leashes, we just have really lightweight puppy leashes that are about 6 feet long. These pups are only 2lbs in weight so they can't be expected to drag too heavy of a leash. It sounds like we are on the right road. We haven't used much for treats in training as they seem to be responding very well to praise and we leave the treats for a last resort. Hope we are doing the right thing.