Leash and harness training is an essential aspect of training your pup and generally goes easier when it is started very early. There are a number of benefits associated with starting training early in your pup’s life.
A major one is the fact that it facilitates good behavior. Walking on a leash helps your pet to inculcate lessons in discipline, cooperation, and obedience. In addition, learning this early can set the foundation for learning picking up other instructions along the line.
For instance, your pet would likely be more responsive to learning skills like heel, behaving appropriately to other individuals and dogs who are walking together, as well as navigate a crowd with you politely without causing any trouble.
In order to get your pet this well-trained, repetition is a vital aspect of this training. Constant practice with lots of positive reinforcement and praise could go a long way in ensuring that your pet picks up these lessons fast.
Typically, you should not be walking your pup outdoors until they are around 12 weeks old, and have received all the necessary vaccinations. So, if your pup comes home earlier, you don’t necessarily have to start right away. You could wait until they are around 10 weeks old before you begin to leash and collar train.
A flat collar is ideal for wearing everyday and carrying the ID tag, however, many experts recommend using a harness alongside a leash for your pet. This is in the event of situations that could result in your pet pulling on the leash. With the harness in place, they would not experience any major strain against the neck.
Leash and harness training requires a lot of patience as well as a gentle hand. Be sure to praise effusively when your pup is getting it right and correct slowly otherwise.