Walking is something you look forward to when you bring home your new puppy. When walking your puppy on a leash, equipment such as a collar, harness, and leash are necessary. Your pup should feel comfortable wearing these items to ensure successful future walks. Before setting up this equipment for the first time, it should be introduced slowly. By associating the sight of the collar and leash with food, your pup should quickly form positive associations. The presence of the gear predicts tasty treats, creating a positive emotional response to the leash and collar.
Items you will need
- Equipment for the session (leash, collar and harness)
- treats
- Clicker or verbal “yes” marker
Guidelines For Conditioning Your Puppy has Their Eequipment
- Go slowly. The goal is to teach your pup that walking gear predicts tasty treats.
- Timing is everything. Introduce leash and collar first, followed by treats. When the gear disappears, so do the treats.
- Never put on a collar or harness without conditioning your puppy first.
- If they show signs of stress, stop and go back to the last successful step that didn’t cause a scary reaction.
Body language that may indicate stress
- Panting
- lick lips
- look away
- Walk away (pull head back)
- Folded tail
- ears back
- Leave
- Yawn
- Scratching their harness or collar once they are in place
Training sessions should last one to two minutes. Progress at the puppy’s pace and introduce only one piece of equipment at a time. If your pup begins to use the equipment as a chew toy, redirect it by tossing a treat.
Step 1: Place the harness on the floor in front of your pup and sprinkle treats around the harness.
Author and black dog on carpet, presenting the harness
Photo courtesy of Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behaviour), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
2nd step: Once they are done eating, take the harness and place it behind your back. Then go back to the first step.
Photo courtesy of Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behaviour), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
R.repeat these steps until your puppy is approaching and interacts with the harness gladly. you should see ears pointing forward, tail wagging looselyand relaxed body language.