The Dog Bowl Pet Supply and BARF Raw Food Blog

1. Make sure the collar fits. Once buckled, you should just barely be able to slip two fingers inside. Puppies grow fast so check the fit often to see if it needs to be loosened. Breakaway collars are best as pups can get hung up on things as they romp and run.

2. It is natural for your puppy to whine, roll, squirm or pull on a collar when first introduced to it. Rather than punish, distract him with a favorite toy or treat. Before long, he won’t even notice the collar.

3. After the collar is accepted, hook the leash to it, sit and watch. This should be done in the house or a confined outdoor area. Let your puppy drag the leash around for a few minutes at a time to get used to the pull of it. Keep an eye out to make sure the leash does not catch on anything. If he seems very fearful of the leash, place it next to the food bowl awhile to let him get used to it. Eventually, he will come to understand that it is nothing to be afraid of.

4. After the puppy is comfortable walking around the house wearing the leash, briefly pick up the end. Don’t try to walk him yet; simply hold the end of the leash and follow the puppy as he walks around. Avoid allowing the leash to become taut.

5. Play games with the collar and lead. Back up and encourage the puppy to walk toward you. Don't drag him forward; urge him to come to you. When he comes at the slightest pressure, release and praise him. Always strive to make the time spent on the leash as pleasant as possible.

6. After your puppy is comfortable being lead indoors where there are few distractions, try it in a small, enclosed, outdoor area like a fenced yard. Then, progress to places where there are more distractions. Walking around the neighborhood is a good way to introduce your neighbors to the new puppy while giving him valuable experience and socialization.

7. Puppies sometimes develop bad habits like biting or chewing on the leash. Try correcting him first and praising him the moment he stops. If that does not work, apply bitter apple, lemon juice, Tabasco sauce or a similar, non-toxic substance to convince him that chewing the leash is a bad idea.

The Dog Bowl carries a lead that is a collar & training lead all in one! (shown). Simply slip the lead around the puppy's neck & adjust the leather piece close to fit (two finger gap) and positioned right behind the dog's ears. (Like you see the handlers leash the dogs in the professional show rings.) Think about it as a "control the head" = control the pup. Usually where the dog is looking is where the attention is being paid & you want this attention to be aimed at you!