Puppy Training

Many dog owners neglect leash training their dogs. Why? Because they feel that is too much hassle and they feel that leash training is a waste of time. It's not - leash training is widely underestimated by new dog owners. The method of getting your dog used to being on leash is very easy and just takes a little bit of your time. This small investment of properly training your dog to walk the right way is worth it in the near future, especially if your puppy will grow up weighing 50 or more pounds.

Every week I receive a dozen or more questions from new dog owners that ask me about leash training. Dog owners want to know what type of leash is best, what type to avoid, how long they should walk their dog, how to get the dog to stop pulling.

The following information below is a list of a few of the most common leash training questions for your benefit. Don't forget, there is no one best way to do anything so when it comes to dog training, whether it involves leash training or other lesson, it is okay to include in your own training ideas so long as you keep it extremely positive - Negative dog training is never recommended and highly discouraged.

So, here are a few basic leash training questions and answers:

• What kind of material should my leash be made of? When you walk into any pet-specific store you'll discover that most leashes for sale are made of nylon. Nylon is easy to wash and comes in an assortment of pretty colors. Nevertheless, they will burn your hand if the dog suddenly pulls and the leash moves through your fingers.

• I recommend that you buy a leather leash. In fact, a six-foot leash made of leather is a great size and material. It is long lasting you will not experience any type of burning sensation if it is pulled. Plus the grip is firm and your control is increased.

• Should you use using chain leashes? You can, however, chain leashes are just like nylon material, a chain leash can hurt your hands if the dog yanks hard and your grip slips. The benefit of this is that they are practically indestructible and will last a very long time. But injury could be much more severe than a nylon burn.

• How much room should you allow the leash to extend when walking your dog? Experienced dog trainers suggest that your puppy or adult dog does not need any more than 5 - 6 feet of distance to roam when you are walking it. This is plenty of room for you to keep control of the situation, while at the same time giving your dog a chance to sniff out small areas along the way.

• Lastly, how wide should your dog's leash be? This answer is very simple. A leash that is approximately ½ inches to ¾ inches is ideal. Try to avoid heavy, bulky leashes.