In some areas, dogs must be kept on a leash. To ensure that the animal remains relaxed, you should start training early.
Dogs are required to be kept on a leash in many areas of Germany, especially during the breeding and breeding season, i.e. from spring to autumn. Anyone who still lets their dog run free in the designated areas must expect high fines. But dogs aren't always happy when they aren't allowed to run to wherever their fine nose promises them the next adventure. However, being on a leash does not have to mean that your dog will be unhappy from now on. Walking your dog on a leash can be trained.
Attend dog school early
Similar to humans, dogs find it much easier to learn things when they are young. It is therefore best to start leash training when the dog is a puppy. Find a suitable dog school near you and practice with your dog every time you go for a walk.
If you want to do a little training on your own, a few tips will help you get started. For example, let your puppy run around a bit before the first round of exercise. At the beginning he is much calmer when it comes to concentrating. Put the little one on a leash and then immediately give him a treat as a reward. Then it can go.
Short training rounds
It is particularly difficult for puppies to concentrate for long periods of time. Therefore, make sure that the practice rounds are only a few minutes long. Even adult dogs' concentration drops after 15 minutes. So make it easy for yourself and your dog and stop training after five minutes.
Now start walking with your puppy at your side. The line should hang loosely. It helps if you direct your puppy's attention away from the exciting surroundings. If he concentrates on you, he stays on his feet. If this works for a few steps, reward him with a treat.
If the dog waits and wanders around, stop and entice him with a treat. If he rushes forward and wants to take the lead, call him to get his attention. Once you have that, turn around and continue in another direction. If he walks casually next to you, it's time for a reward. If he runs forward again, repeat the process until he manages to stay a few steps next to you.
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Hunting behavior cannot be trained
A dog's innate hunting behavior will not disappear over the course of a dog's life, no matter how well you train your dog. The dog, on the other hand, has to learn to control its impulses and not rush off at every little distraction. Dog trainer
Martin Rütter
recommends keeping external stimuli for the dog as low as possible, especially at the beginning of training. So you shouldn't start leash training directly in a crowded pedestrian zone, but instead stay in your own garden or on your own property. The less stimuli the dog is exposed to, the more he can concentrate on his owner.