Training leash for dogs
The training leash is another of the elements that we must also have very close. But although it may sound a little rough, it is true that it is one of the favorite tools because it will establish a non-verbal connection between the owner and his pet. Hence, you also have to pay special attention to every movement.
But it is something that we will see later and as such, it will help us to understand a little more the basic functions of this product. With the training leash we ensure that our animals are always protected, so we must always choose the best one for them.
What is a dog training leash?
The purpose of the dog training leash is to educate your pet. But it also focuses on controlling them, especially when you go for a walk or perhaps during training. Hence we find that it has a hook to attach it to the part of the dog’s collar and then a good finish at the other end where we can carry it without problem.
So, broadly speaking we can say that its use is focused on improving the behavior of our pets, as well as their safety.
How long should the training leash be?
This is not a question we can answer in a clear-cut way. Why? Because everything will depend on the size of the dog in particular. That is to say, to begin with you need to know both the weight and the size and even the height of your dog. This way you will be able to get an idea of what he needs, because not all dogs are the same, neither in size nor in temperament.
Therefore, it is necessary to say that the dog needs to move freely but also, to leave us comfort, so the minimum length has to be around 5 meters, which are the so-called standard. It is important that if your dog is small it does not exceed this length and remember that it is always preferable that it is a little thin. While if the dog is around 20 kilos, then you do need a thicker leash because we will need more resistance but the length of about 3 meters is enough.
Returning to the medium or small dogs, we know that they are usually more impatient, they like to sniff and frolic at every step, so it is best to go for one that is extensible. While those who pull too much on the leash, it is always better to take them with a shorter leash. Thus avoiding certain pulls when we are careless. For larger dogs, for tracking or to go for a walk in a more solitary place, although they are not the most suitable, you can use the leashes of more than 20 meters which are the extra-long ones.
How to use a training leash to train our dog
As it happens in all phases of life, the training leash also needs some guidelines for our animals to get used to it.
First of all, the best thing to do is to place the leash in a closed place like our house and let him walk with it on.
Do not pull it, but it is better that the animal goes to your calls and with the leash so he can get used to it.
Once outside, you must guide it at all times so that it goes where you say, but avoiding the pulls that we mentioned.
All the steps he does well, you should praise him, while if he jerks or does the opposite, avoid approaching and cuddling him at that moment so that he understands that something is not going well.
When the leash is tense and it is because the dog is pulling, stop and continue when you see it much looser.
We should start the walk with a short leash and if our pet does not pull, then we can loosen the leash a little more. This is a way to always maintain control.
If your dog starts biting the leash, then the best thing to do is to mislead them by changing course or turning on them. He will sense that something changes when he makes that gesture.
Rewarding him with treats every time he does something right like walking next to us and stopping them without a treat when he pulls the leash, are other of the most common things to do.
When should we start using the training leash?
This also happens in our lives and therefore, in the lives of pets could not be left behind. The truth is that the sooner you start, the better. Because you will also see the results you expect sooner. So, with this we advise you that if you have a puppy with a couple of months, start with the training.
It is true that you will do it at home, making him familiar with the leash, etc. But little by little, you will also apply it to when you are in the street and to the commands we mentioned before. You need a lot of patience, several treats or rewards and time to be able to achieve this. But even so, it will be easier than if you start when the animal is an adult.