Leash Training your German Shepherd Puppy

So you recently purchased a German Shepherd puppy (If you are still in the research phase and are still looking, click here to see current list of our German Shepherd puppies for sale). For most families, crate training and leash training will be first steps in developing basic obedience skills with your puppy. This article will focus entirely on walking you through basic steps of getting your puppy to walk beside you on a loose leash without pulling.

Introducing Your German Shepherd Puppy to the Leash

When you first introduce your puppy to a leash expect your puppy to react. Most puppies will initially fight the leash. The puppy has no idea why this “thing” is pulling on its neck. So it is natural for the puppy to try and get away. No need to scold the puppy. When your puppy pulls against the leash, your puppy is not being naughty. It simply has no idea what is going on. Here at Czech Working Line, our first sessions introducing a puppy to the leash typically are about 15-20 minutes in length. Long enough for the puppy to learn that no amount of pulling gets the puppy away from the leash. But not so long as to exhaust the puppy. During this first introductory session your goal is primarily to help your puppy learn to not fight the leash. For most puppies, after 10 to 15 minutes on leash, they will typically start understanding they can “sort of” walk beside you. For day one, this is progress.

Getting Your German Shepherd Puppy to Walk Without Pulling the Leash

On day two of leash training and over next month or so, a primary goal in leash training ought to include teaching the puppy to walk without pulling. So how to do you accomplish this. First, a word of caution. Puppies at this stage of learning to walk on a leash are not disobedient when they run after that bunny rabbit or squirrel. They are simply curious. Few puppies are going to need any sort of scolding or discipline during this stage.  Your goal during these early days is to teach your puppy one simple task. Pay attention to the person walking the dog and stay close. Go where the person goes. So how do you as a new German Shepherd puppy owner accomplish this task? The answer is surprisingly simple. Take your puppy for a walk. Every time the puppy leaves you (because your puppy is thinking about what he/she wants and is ignoring you), move the opposite direction. If you puppy runs ahead of you, immediately turn and move back the opposite direction. If your puppy moves left, you move to the right. The puppy hits the end of the leash and realizes. Oops, need to go back to my person. If the puppy goes left, you go right. Fair warning. This is work. You will find yourself turning and going back and forth dozens and dozens of times in a short 30 minute walk. The key is consistency. Be consistent and your puppy will start learning very quickly to follow you.

Add Distractions to Proof Your Puppy’s Attention

Once your puppy has that loose leash walking nailed down, add distractions. I don’t particularly care for dog parks. Other dogs roam free. Not only do many of them carry disease, but fights among undisciplined dogs can on occasion break out. I prefer a more controlled environment. I find traveling to a Petco, Petsmart, or even a Lowes or Home Depot helpful. Carry some emergency supplies in care your puppy has an accident in the store. Then get work roaming the halls of these pet friendly stores teaching your puppy to keep a laser focus on you, their person. The time to play is not on the leash. Play time is for play time. While on leash, this is the time for the puppy to be focused on your. The puppy moves when you move. The puppy stops when you stop. Period. Eventually you can really step up your game by dropping some tasty freeze dried liver or other treats on the floor, further proofing your puppy’s focus by teaching your puppy to walk right over that tasty treat without hardly so much a slow in pace or whining to get the treat. If you puppy reaches for the treat, immediately turn and walk the opposite direction. The purpose of the treat is to improve your puppy’s concentration. It is not a reward he/she gets to eat. Perhaps later you give the puppy the treat. But not in this context. Find creative ways to expose your puppy to loud noises. These might include fireworks, gun shot noise or even a band at a parade. Use these opportunities to further hone your puppy’s concentration teaching your puppy in all situations to keep a close eye on you. The goal is for your puppy to go where you go without pulling. Following these steps and you will be well on your way towards developing leash obedience with your puppy. See our website for more information on how you might bring home one of our German Shepherd puppies. Give us a call with any questions you might have.