leashes?

what is the best way to get a dog used to a leash?

I like to train them to walk on a loose leash by what I call “rout step”. All this means is, I am giving the dog freedom but he has to stay within a certain range.
I like to start out with a 10ft lead. What I am doing is giving the dog freedom to roam from side to side or anywhere around me, within that 10ft range. Anytime that the dog pulls the lead tight, I give a verbal command and change direction. (Example) If the dog runs straight away from me and tightens the leash, I will give the command and do a 180 and go in the opposite direction. If the dog tightens the lead to my left, I give the command and quickly walk to right. After a few short sessions, the dog will start keying in on your movements. Now you can change direction and give the command before the dog pulls the lead tight. By doing this your dog has the freedom to stop and smell the roses but knows that he can’t leave the zone around you.
A word about command and corrections: This is training the dog to walk on loose leash. I should mention that after the 10ft lead, I shorten it a 6ft. The dog will realize that anytime the lead is tight, he has to adjust. For a command I just use “walk”. So when I am training a dog to walk on a loose leash, I will repeat the command “waaalk,waaalk”. It doesn’t matter what command you use just use the same one everytime. When I want the dog to change directions, I give the “here-here” command. That is the command I use in the hunting world. It is telling the dog I want I direction change. A single “here” means come back to me.
For correction, if this is a puppy I would use a flat collar. If it is a mature dog, I would use a pinch collar. After a short time you will be able to drop the lead and let the dog drag it. Now you have a dog that you can walk off leash and stay within your boudries.

Pete Bauer did a few sessions of this training with my dogs. Maybe he can add some insight.

Nicely put Don and thanks for the great info again.

Quote:

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(Example) If the dog runs straight away from me and tightens the leash, I will give the command and do a 180 and go in the opposite direction. If the dog tightens the lead to my left, I give the command and quickly walk to right. After a few short sessions, the dog will start keying in on your movements. Now you can change direction and give the command before the dog pulls the lead tight

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I can only confirm what Don has already stated, and it works VERY well! In a matter of about 3 min Glyder and I were walking without any amount of tug on the leash. When I was going to make a direction change, a simple ‘here-here’ was stated and he followed course. I was in awh at how well this method worked and how quickly the pup caught on to what and how to do it. Shortening up the leash and he followed suit, staying closer but with the same mind set.

Great Advice Don