LEASH TRAINING YOUR PUPPY PT. 1: mATERIALS & GETTING STARTED

NOTE:  Puppies are not fully protected against Parvo until after the 3rd and final shot at 16 weeks and wait about a week at 17 weeks to take out. Yes, they can contract Parvo before the final shot. Keep them indoors. If you have questions, please speak with your vet, they are a valuable resource and font of information.

WARNING: If it is too hot or uncomfortable when you do a 10-second surface check then it is too hot for your dog.

Introduction: 
Walking a dog is one of the basic pleasures of having a dog. Walking an orderly and obedient dog makes an outing truly enjoyable. How does one get to that Nirvana state with one's dog though?

At one point I taught basic dog obedience many moons ago. The starting points were: ​

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN 06.01.21

LINCOLN, A 2 CUTE HAVANESE PUPPY

your voice, standing position; how to hold a leash; the dog’s position; a dog’s placement to the owner; the leash and collar.  What is your dog like? For this exercise, the example we will be using is a Havanese (7-20 lb). In general Havanese came by their nickname, 'The Velcro Dog' earnestly, preferring to by their people's side. Bright, vivacious, and friendly are the norms for this breed.
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Collar:
Knowing your collar is a start. What kinds of collars are there? There are basic flat collars that go around the neck, a martingale collar, a choke collar, a metal prong or pinch collar, a smart collar, head collar, show collar, and harness. A collar can be braided, leather, plastic, LED, nylon, cloth, metal, brass, neoprene, flat, or rolled and embellished in a million ways. 

And just for fun – what color? With or without a nameplate/tag or I.D. built into the collar some way? Bows? Flowers? Bandanas?  With these choices comes the question of quality, material, and understanding exactly what is needed.

As mentioned before there is a choke collar commonly used for training that comes in a chain, rope style, or leather. The type of chain can affect how smoothly the action of the collar is or if the collar moves in a jerky manner. There are many different kinds of chain choke collars such as a Jewelers or curb link, flat link, thick Cuban link, rhinestone lock buckle cut link, fur saver link, snake link or basic round, simple link collar. In addition there is a vast amount of ornamentation possible with these collars. 
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A martingale collar is also known as a no-slip or limited-slip collar and is a popular choice.  This is our go-to for training until the puppy has been "trained" then they graduate into a harness. A harness offers several bonuses including something no collar can give, a gentler way to quickly scoop up your dog in an emergency like a dog attack scenario.  

Harness: 
If a harness is the buyer’s choice then where the clip is located is critical. I recommend a lightweight mesh harness with a wide chest strap and a clip on the back. It should fit close to the body neither too tight or too loose.  The clip on the back is ideal for Havanese because in an emergency situation there is less damage done to the esophagus or trachea and the spine, neck, laryngeal nerve, fore or hind legs. If the clip chest instead of the back and you have to pull your dog to safety you will create a situation where your dog could bite you due to the sudden chaos of the situation. 

Clasps:
There is a variety of clasps used in harnesses and collars from a break-away clasp, side quick-release clasp, side or slide release clasp, and buckle (prong) clasp. Like collars, clasps come in a variety of materials from rustproof, waterproof, metal to plastic. Usually near a clasp there is the ring where the leash attaches. 

Leash:
A traditional training leash is 4ft.-6 ft. long with a looped handhold at one end and a fastener at the other end. Be aware leashes come in many lengths and multiple widths. Materials include nylon, rope, braid, leather,  flat/ribbon, and other choices, colors or prints. It is possible to buy attractive matching leash and harness sets. I do not recommend retractable leashes. I prefer a 1/2" leash for these small dogs because the leashes carry a weight to the dog's neck area. 

Leash fasteners come in many configurations: trigger snap, bolt lock (most common), bolt snap or round eye bolt snap and bolt snap with swivel head (most popular), double-sided bolt snap hook, lobster clasp hooks, antique brass style bolt locks or simple lanyard hook (strongly not recommended).

Treat Pouch, Tote, or Bag?
A treat pouch is an easier and less messy way to carry training treats. A treat pouch is a bag that attaches to the belt via loop or carabiner clip usually. The pouch ranges from a simple design to an ultra-fashionable material and styling statement with conveniences such as additional pocket(s), zippered compartments or even a hinged opening, etc.!

Treats & Caution
We like freeze-dried dog treats with ingredients that you know and not umpteen syllables in what seems to be, a foreign language. We mentioned in a previous post that when it comes to training we use freeze-dried beef lung and freeze-dried chicken. Make sure that your treats are made in the USA. The pieces should be the size of a blueberry or cheerio. When training, it is better use a set specific treats to give your dog something to look forward to. We say set, because if you mix it up from time to time it keeps it interesting for your dog. 

Frame of mind:
The trainer’s frame of mind, voice, and attitude. Your dog picks up on your emotions and can reflect them back. It is a waste of time if you come into training bothered and not focused on making this time a positive experience for your dog. By positive, or ‘crafted experience,’ I mean to purposely and patiently teach your dog with gentleness and an upbeat attitude. Bear in mind, this is a new adventure for your dog. Make it fun with plenty of praise and age or experience-appropriate responses for the dog with treats and petting to create an experience the dog enjoys. 

Impact:
This enjoyment leads into the next session as one for the dog to anticipate fun versus dread. If it is fun for the dog, hopefully, it is fun for the trainer and the lessons move more quickly and smoothly. Also please be sure the walking surface will not burn your dog’s feet.
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References:
“7 Best Harnesses for Small Dogs [2022 Reviews]: Tiny & Terrific!” K9 Of Mine, 9 Oct. 2019, https://www.k9ofmine.com/best-harness-for-small-dogs/.

Dogcollarsharnessesandleashes. “Types of Dog Leash Fasteners.” Dog Collars Harnesses and Leashes, 18 Apr. 2022, https://dogcollarsharnessesandleashes.com/types-of-dog-leash-fasteners/.

Karen AndersonUpdated by Margeaux Baulch Klein, et al. “The 10 Best Small Dog Harnesses: Your Complete Guide.” The Dog People by Rover.com, 12 Nov. 2021, https://www.rover.com/blog/reviews/small-dog-harnesses/.

Nicole CosgroveNicole is the proud mom of Rosa. “10 Best Dog Harnesses for Small Dogs [Reviews 2022 ].” Hepper, 27 Mar. 2022, https://www.hepper.com/best-dog-harness-for-small-dogs/.

Phenix, Annie, et al. “What to Do When an off-Leash Dog Approaches Your Leashed Dog.” Dogster, 2 July 2021, https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/what-to-do-when-an-off-leash-dog-approaches-your-leashed-dog.

“Spot the Difference: Front Clip versus Back Clip Harnesses.” Andrea Arden Dog Training, 18 Oct. 2016, https://andreaarden.com/dog-training/spot-the-difference-front-clip-versus-back-clip-harnesses/.

Stregowski, Jenna. “Which Dog Collar Is Best for Your Dog?” The Spruce Pets, The Spruce Pets, 21 Mar. 2022, https://www.thesprucepets.com/different-types-of-dog-collars-1118613.

“Understanding Dog Training Collar Injuries.” VetInfo, https://www.vetinfo.com/dog-training-collar.html.

Vuckovic, Angela. “How to Discipline a Dog without Hitting, Advice and Tips.” Petfeed - Pet Care Tips, How-to Guides, Funny Stories, Comics, and Videos, Petfeed - Pet Care Tips, How-to Guides, Funny Stories, Comics, and Videos, 16 Nov. 2021, https://blog.petcube.com/dog-training/.