Puppy Leads

Anyone who keeps a puppy as a pet will know how keen their pooch is to get a bit of exercise, and if you happen to live somewhere with a lot of green fields and not many other animals, letting a puppy run loose can be exhilarating. If, on the other hand, you are not fortunate enough to have access to such wide-open spaces, you will need to keep your puppy on a lead most of the time. As with any other kind of training, it is best to start puppy lead training early so that your puppy develops the best habits; and below, we will look at how best to approach this.
When should you start to lead train a puppy?
It’s easier for anyone to learn good habits than unlearn the bad ones; that’s true for puppies, too, and from the age of eight weeks your pup will be ready to learn how to walk on a lead. There are many areas where it will be illegal to walk your puppy without a lead, so there is really every reason to instil the best habits early on. You can search the stockists for the best lead for puppy training, and then get your pooch used to the experience by placing the lead on them while you are around the house. They may initially find it strange, but it will become second nature before long.
When should you take your puppy out for the first time?
There are two things that should have happened before you begin to take your puppy out on the lead.
- They should be familiar with the lead and understand what it means when you put the lead on them.
- They should have been vaccinated for relevant conditions; if your puppy is going to exercise outdoors, they need to be immunised for themselves and other puppies.
Initially, you may find that your puppy is not as co-operative as you would like them to be. Have you spent a frustrating evening or two trying to figure out how to stop puppy pulling on lead? That is going to be a common occurrence early on, as your pooch is going to be curious about new places and new scents. Sometimes, you will need to be firm with them, and on occasion may even need to lift your puppy and carry them if you cannot persuade them to walk a certain way. Good habits are learned through reputation; you will both get there.
Where is it essential to walk a puppy on a lead?
Puppies prefer to run free, but in the UK, it is illegal to walk a puppy by a road without them being on a lead. Additionally, car parks, children’s’ play areas and some streams and lakes are marked as being areas where puppies can only be present on a leash. This is to protect the safety of others, but also of you and your puppy. As you are sure to have noticed, sudden noises can cause a puppy to react, and this may involve running into a road or snapping to defend itself. Have you ever wondered why it is necessary to learn how to lead train a puppy? Just think about the above, and you are sure to realise it is worth the effort.
Yes, your puppy would prefer to run off the leash for a while, and if you find a place where that can be done it is worth taking them there when you can. If you need to give your puppy a bit of exercise and are pressed for time, however, you are going to need the lead. When this is the case, you will be extremely glad you took the time to train them on it. It is worth researching a few areas where your puppy will be less likely to be exposed to busy traffic, as these will be the perfect places to start outdoor lead training.
What is the best lead for a puppy?
The best lead for a puppy depends very much on the puppy itself. If you have a puppy that likes to walk ahead, and is large and strong, then you will be looking for a sturdy lead with a lot of slack; an extendable leash may be advised. Smaller puppies can benefit from lighter leads, and puppies who like to stop frequently (such as spaniels) will usually suit a shorter leash (not least because it’s a lot easier for an owner to get tangled in a longer lead). All in all, you will find that you respond to your puppies’ needs when it comes to buying a lead, and before long you will know exactly what they want.