Littleton is the county seat of Arapahoe County and is a part of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. It runs a council- manager type of government which is why it is referred to as a home-rule municipality. Littleton is the county seat and therefore the administrative hub of the Arapahoe County.
Littleton has a well organized animal control division within its Police Department and there are laid down rues that every pet parent /owner must abide by. One of those rules is known as the Leash Law which states that ‘pets must be on a leash at all times’ unless they are in the designated off-leash parks. The law also specifically states that the leash cannot be longer than 6ft.
You can visit https://www.police.littletonco.gov/ for more details about laws governing animals and pets in the municipality.
Since we have noted that the leash law is taken seriously in Littleton, it means that every dog parent needs to get the right dog training for their dog. In this article, we will share tips on how to get your canine to walk on a leash and also how to find the best trainer for your pet.
4 Tips for Leash Training your Dog
Most people just assume that a dog innately knows how to walk on a leash or respond to commands or instructions on a leash. That is not true; you need to train your pet to learn how to walk properly on a leash and obey commands when you take it on a walk.
While we recommend that you hire a professional to help with the training, you can engage the following tips to train your dog:-
- Introduce your Dog to the Leash – Make the animal start wearing their collar and leash in the house and let them keep it on for a while as you play with them and give them treats. This will make the pet love the collar and leash time because of the fun and food that comes with it.
- Teach Them a Cue – Teach your dog a cue that indicates that you are about to give it food or a treat. Ensure that the cue you use and the method is the same and that you carry out the exercise in a quiet place that is free of distraction. Put the dog on a leash and sound the cue; when it turns to you or looks at you, reward it with a treat.
Repeat this a few times and you will notice that your pet will not only look at you but always come towards you to get the treat. Make your dog come towards you and while it is coming, move back a few paces and let it follow you. When it gets to you, give it a treat.
Carry out this exercise a few times but remember to keep it short. Read this article on Pavlov’s law of conditioning to understand why you have to be consistent with the cue you use.
- Practise Inside – After getting your dog to understand cues, practice walking inside. Get it to walk with the leash and reward it with praises and treats whenever it comes to you with its leash on.
- Go Outside – After practising a while indoors, take the dog outside. Always keep your eyes on it so that you can notice when it is about to wander due to all the distractions around. When you notice that it is about to wander, make the cue sound and move some paces away from it. Always remember to reward it whenever it comes to you.
Read Also: Top 10 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds in the World
Tips for Choosing the Best Dog Trainer
Although we have shared tips to help you leash train your dog, we believe that a professional trainer will be more effective in producing a well-rounded and trained dog. That therefore is why we share the following tips to help you choose the best trainer for your canine:-
- Check for Relevant Certifications and Qualifications– Do not just sign up with any dog academy or trainer. Ensure that the trainer you want to sign up with is duly qualified and certified.
- Find out the Methodology they Adopt for Training – There are quite a number of methods that are adopted for dog training. However, the most widely accepted because of its humane attribute is the Positive Reinforcement Training. This method as adopted by the Sit Means Sit training academy and other reputable trainers entails that the pet is rewarded for exhibiting the desired behaviour.
This method helps the dog to associate particular behaviours with treats, food and praises so they will keep repeating such behaviours. Additionally, it strengthens the bond between the dog and the trainer, making the training process stress-free.
- Read Customer Reviews and Testimonials – It is very important that you find out what past clients have to say about the prospective trainer that you want to hire. Visit their site or even physical space to find out how they operate and also meet people who they are already working with their pets. The testimonials will give you an insight on what to expect and whether to go on with them or not.
- Find out the Extent of Service they Render– Find out whether they have different options such as private lessons, group trainings, drop off, virtual or in-home training. A training outfit that gives you all these option is a better choice than one that is rigid. With these options, you can make a choice that is most convenient for you.
Conclusion
Hiring a professional to leash train your dog is highly recommended because you will get the best and holistic training for your pet. Additionally, it will save you a lot of stress and hassles. More so, you stand to enjoy the expertise of professionals who already understand all that your pet needs and don’t have to go through trial and error with them.
That being said however, it is important to choose the right trainer in order not to traumatize your pet or break them. That is why we have shared tips that will help you make the right choice so bear them in mind as you go looking for a trainer for your beloved pet.
