| The collar is the first thing to get the dog used to. Buy a canvas
or leather collar. The canvas or fabric collars do come in adustable forms, cutting
down the number of collars you have to buy for a growing dog. Let the pup sniff
the collar, but not take it from, then place it loosely around the dog's neck,
praising all the while. If the dog will accept it right away do it up. Size the
collar so that 2 fingers can fit easily between the dog's neck and the collar.
If the dog is hard to convince, try to introduce the collar over several, short
sessions. If the puppy scratches the collar, do take it off, check the collar
to make sure there is no irritating parts to it, and make the periods of wearing
it shorter. If you do not do this, the dog may develop a bad lifelong habit of
scratching at its collar. After the collar is accepted it is time to introduce
the lead. Again let the puppy sniff it, then do it up to the collar. Let the pup
drag it in an open area in your home so that it doesn't become tangled anywhere.
Pick up the end and call the dog to you praising each time. This is an early lesson
in coming when called, but also introduces the lead as a pleasant thing, and indicates
to the dog, the lead means close to you. Walk the dog around talking to
it. Use a small treat if necessary to get the dogs attention. Make each lesson
short and pleasant. Gradually, work up to taking the dog out in the yard, keeping
its attention. Do not take the puppy outside the yard until you have several short
lessons that have been successful in maintenance of attention. If you take the
dog out of the yard too soon, forging and pulling can result. Some dogs,
and some breeds take longer to lead train than others. You have to think of the
breed or breeds that make up your dog. Some dogs were meant for scent work, and
they will need more training on attention. Others are dogs that are meant to pull
things, and same thing, more time. Understanding what the dog was originally meant
to do, will help make you a more patient, understanding trainer. With all
lessons for your dog, skip a lesson if you are not in an understanding mood or
in a bad mood, or not feeling well. It is much harder to undo a bad experience
you gave your puppy, than to miss a lesson and wait for a more congenial time.
They do forgive well, but you can create a training challenge by not thinking
about it first. Watch for next week's obedience article (The Gift Dog Part
IV) where I will discuss barking. -------------------------------------------------
// ------------------------------------------------ Reprinted with permission
by Bonnie Tetlock | 
