Ep 030 Dog Training Basics: Leash Handling 101

Your dog’s collar and leash work as a system that gives you control over her behavior.

Learn about these two physical tools of control and how to handle the leash to maximum benefit.

In this episode, we switch gears and get back to training. We’re doing this for two reasons:

1. We are going to get into some training conversations for the next few weeks—including homework and quick tips for training.
2. I think it is important to start at the beginning. Whenever I work with a new trainer, I make them master leash handling before they can ever start training a dog.

Main Topic:

The only two physical tools you have in beginning dog training are the collar and the leash.

Types of Dog Collars:

1. The regular snap or buckle collar
2. The slip, chain, or choke collar
3. The pinch collar
4. The gentle leader
5. The martingale collar
6. The harness

The Five Main Types of Dog Leash: 

1. Regular training lead (4-6 feet long)
2. Retractable (why these completely SUCK)
3. Martingale
4. Slip (and the specific reason these two don’t stack up)
5. Adjustable

Other Highlights

• Leather leashes are expensive and well worth the extra money in comfort and durability.
• The leash allows me to correct or control the dog without rewarding her by touching her.
• The first 30 days with a new dog at home, the leash becomes her “Second Tail”, staying on her whenever she’s out of the crate and under supervision.
• The leash is the very basis of all Bennie’s training because it gives owners a physical way to get the dog to do what they want it to do.

Homework

Walking your dog and practicing leash-handling skills!

Call to Action

Go to FamilyDogFusion.com/register to get access to the leash video we mentioned in this episode.

Get In Touch

Check out our show page in iTunes to leave comments and subscribe or send us a message.

Dog Training Resources

Dog Training Definitions

Dog Training Tips and Postulates

Dog Training Rules