Training a new puppy to accept a collar and lease is the real key to successfully training him. This is called puppy leash training. It can be started as soon as he is settled in his new home.
By training your pup to become used to a collar and leash, you are establishing yourself as the one in charge. You'll quickly find out that dogs thrive when they know what is expected of them.
When your puppy learns that he has no choice but to accept his collar and lead, you can then move onto many other aspects of dog training. Here's how to teach him to accept a collar and lead.
Buy a collar that fits your puppy right now. Then adjust it so that you are able to comfortably fit two of your fingers between his neck and his collar. Be sure that it is not any tighter because you'll want your pet to feel comfortable.
When you first begin to use a collar with your puppy, it will feel strange to him. By giving him lots of attention and reassurance you'll help take his mind off it. Be aware that he may not get used to the feel of the collar in a day or two, so give him lots of time. Once he does become used to having it on, you can start to move forward with real training for your puppy. Leash training will be easier if you've given your new pup plenty of time to just get used to having to wear a collar.
The next step would be to attach a short lightweight leash onto his collar. This leash shouldn't be more than around three feet in length. Allow him to pull it around for very short periods of time, especially when you first start this. The idea is to get him used to how it feels to have something connected to his collar.
It's really important to watch him carefully during the time period that he's dragging his lead around. You won't want him to become stuck and then get upset or afraid. That could happen if he gets stuck for any long period of time. You want this part of the training to be only positive for him, so it will be enough for him to feel a very slight restriction for very brief periods. So be sure to free him quickly as soon as he gets stuck.
Within several days or so, he'll have probably become accustomed to the feel of the lead. At this point, attach one end to the collar and then the other end to your belt rather than letting him drag it freely. He should still be able to explore freely just like before and still get stuck. But, this time though, you won't be going to free up his leash.
Instead crouch down and call him by name. Extend your hand and offer him a treat or toy to get him to come to you. Praise him excessively when he does come. Do this for a short time daily. You can detach the leash once he has successfully done what you requested a few times, but don't take his collar off.
You'll know that your puppy leash training has been successful when he routinely comes when he is called after he reaches the end of the leash. With this success, you'll find that the rest of your puppy's training will go so much more smoothly.
After a training session reward your dog with a cozy heated dog bed to keep him warm in the cooler weather or a coolaroo dog bed to keep him cool in warmer weather.
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