What Is The Big Deal With Leashes?

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH LEASHES?

So, it’s time to get a dog. Such an exciting time as you and your family begin to dream about all of the fun things you will be able to do that you can include the dog in. Long walks in the neighborhood, sitting outside at local restaurants with your friends as your dog lays quietly by your feet, going camping, the kids’ ball games, traveling and staying in hotels with you. You name it, our dogs can, and often do, go everywhere with us. But, when you get that puppy, how do you even begin to get to your end goals? Well, let’s start right here by discussing one of the first things everyone must do when they get a puppy and how one of our biggest mistakes begins right away.

When you get a new puppy, potty training must begin. You dutifully grab that short 4’ or 6’ leash, put it on the puppy and out the door you go. It never crosses your mind that, likely somewhere down the road in your dreams, you are going to want to walk your nice dog on a short leash as you go about your fun-filled activities. Here you are taking that new puppy out to the yard to ensure potty happens while you stay close with that short leash. Very soon, if not right away, the puppy learns to drag you around the yard with that short leash on. With your eyes and mind wide open, can you now see what you are accidentally “teaching” the dog to do? You are teaching that young puppy to pull you everywhere on the leash. I am all for taking the puppy out on a leash to ensure that you know potty is happening, but there is a better way.

One of the very next activities most people are determined to do is to go for a walk with that baby dog. So, out the door you go again, with the short leash on that young baby dog, and off you go for a walk. Rinse and repeat, over and over, thinking this is certainly what I should be doing with my puppy. THIS is one of the things you have been dreaming about doing eventually with your dog so you start right now to teach your dog to walk on a leash. Well, remember that you have already set the stage for what the dog should be doing on that leash… going outside for potty on that very leash. The dog already knows that it is to pull you all over the place and go potty. Guess what is going to happen when you merely change the venue but everything else is the same? Yep… you are right! Major frustration begins for both you and the young dog, that is only taking its direction from you, but now realizes that a walk is not fun. You are frustrated, not relaxed, and the dog is getting yanked everywhere with absolutely no understanding of what it should be doing. There is a better way.

Let’s keep in mind that eventually you want to walk with your dog on a leash. Hold on to that thought for a long time. Right now you have a puppy that needs to understand what is expected on a leash. Think of a little child. You wouldn’t expect a little child to understand complex mathematical equations at 3 years old, right? You would offer that 3-year-old age-appropriate learning opportunities, keeping in mind the end goal of complex mathematical problem solving, but only when the child is old enough to understand. I am not saying your puppy is a child, but the analogy is a good one for you to picture what you are doing to that baby puppy. There is a better way.

What is the better way? I maintain that when you take your little puppy out for potty, do it on a flexi leash (you know… the extendable, retractable ones that everyone tells you NOT to use). Clip that leash onto the collar (no harnesses please, feel free to ask me why) and let the puppy move about freely to go potty while you maintain a respectable distance away still observing what is happening and NOT being drug all around the yard while it happens. Two things are happening at the same time. You are allowing the puppy to move about to go potty on a leash (which, in and of itself, is a skill most puppies need to learn) AND you are NOT being drug all around the yard on the leash.

Let’s talk about that walk you have so longed to go on. Remember… you have a toddler you are trying to mold and teach. I suggest you consider walking that puppy on that very same flexi leash as you begin making your way around the block. Don’t be thinking you are going for a mile walk right away with that baby puppy either. Think little legs! Many things are happening all at the same time. You are going to enjoy your walk much more because you won’t be fighting with the puppy all the time. The puppy is going to get to run and play. What does a little puppy need more than fun running and playing? You and your dog are enjoying some truly special time exploring together as your puppy bounds along with you all happy and not being asked to learn something it is not mature enough to learn yet. Lastly, you are not accidentally “teaching” your young dog to drag you all over on the leash you eventually want it to walk nicely on (that’s called conflicting messaging).

Stay tuned. There’s more. Next time I will give you an exercise to begin teaching that baby dog to walk nicely on the leash that includes realistic, age-appropriate expectations.