Leash Training a Puppy

Leash training a puppy can be frustrating and time consuming but it gets easier if you use the proper equipment and technique.

Our Lola is irresistibly attracted by any kind of rubbish she finds during our walks and she picks up (and possibly eats) anything she can get hold of.

This morning, I armed myself with a piece of the my best Parmesan cheese, cut it into tiny bits and I tried to turn my little rubbish hound into a consumed gourmet.

I gave Lola a crumble of cheese and, although she just had breakfast, she immediately got very interested in me and the content of my pocket.

I kept talking to her to keep her interested and as soon as her attention faded I said “look at me” in the most convincing tone and fed her a little cheese.

By the end of the walk it was enough to say “look at me” to catch her attention.

I’ll carry on with this technique despite the cost of Parmesan and hopefully Lola will forget why she ever found garbage so appealing.

Collars for Leash Training a Puppy

I use a puppy training collar during our daily walks to the park.

Leash training suddenly becomes easy when you are equipped with the best dog training collar and yummy treats.

Lola keeps her attention on me expecting treats but, should she start hunting for garbage, the collar automatically helps me getting her focused again.

The most gentle training collars are the martingale ones, they are safe and easy to use.

Also dog choke collars, when used judiciously are an effective way to communicate to your puppy any change of direction or call to attention.

They tighten when the puppy goes in the wrong direction but immediately release when your dog walks nicely along with you.

Never pull on a training collar, a very gentle touch is enough to recall the puppy to his duty.

And never, ever use the training collar to choke the puppy for a reprimand or let him run about with it.

Most whippets will learn to heel and walk on leash quite easily but we must always remember they have a very strong prey instinct, incredible speed and no sense of traffic whatsoever.

Whippets will come back quite happily to their owner after a short chase but it is our responsibility to keep them safely away from cars.

It is a wise choice to keep your whippet on leash in any high traffic area no matter how trained and reliable he seems.