15/03/2024
Did someone say walk?
Training Goal #8: Teach Loose-Leash Walking
FIRST - be calm and patient
Once your pup feels comfortable wearing a collar, clip on a leash. A Mini Schnauzer can start learning to walk on a leash without pulling you as early as eight weeks.
We suggest that you put the dog on the non dominant hand side of you, Carry the lease in your non dominant hand, for most people that will be the left hand. Consider lease training with a martingale collar. We consider these to be the safest type of collar for lease training and virtually 'escape proof'
Begin in your house, or driveway, walk BACKWARDS with the lease in your left hand and encourage the pup to 'come' - when they do, praise and treat them. Walk in a large circle repeating this process until pup knows that you want her on 'heel'. She only gets a treat when she is at your heel. As she learns, while walking simply turn around. The pup should be at your left heal with the lease in your left hand for right handed owners.
Walk forward giving the cue you desire, (Walk, forward, heel) or say nothing at all. When you stop, the pup should stop and sit - each time that you move forward the pup should stay at heel, if not, stop walking and wait for the dog to 'stop and sit'. Do not move until the dog does what you are telling it to, simply stare at the dog or gently push it down into sitting position. Treat good behavior.
We use both voice and hand signal cues for our crew.
Remember to apply only light pressure on the leash, encourage your Schnauzer to follow you. Walk only a few steps and stop. Reward your pup with a treat and add praise.
Keep training short, 10-15 minutes daily and you will have a walking companion in no time!
ALWAYS REMOVE MARTINGALE COLLARS WHEN THE PUP ISN'T SUPERVISED!
Find cute and inexpensive martingale collars here: https://www.theartfulcanine.com/martingale-