Walking on a leash

Any dog must learn to be walked in leash, even though it is obedient. Nobody issafe of - in city for example - a sudden noise which frightens the dog and diverts it from the road, provoking an accident which maybe regrettably fatal to your companion. In city, in the campaign or still in exhibition, knowledge to walk in leash is a necessary thing. It has so to be a part of the education of the puppy.

However such a learning does not act as itself. Each has the " educational techniques " for it, but there are certain rules which must be respected.

First of all the master must be aware that having a necklace and walking in leash close his master is not spontaneous attitudes to the dog. Learning should be done in the game and the cheerfulness.

The necklace: It does not have to bother or frighten the dog. It is necessary to accustom your Coton from his young age, by associating game and reward to the stake of the necklace. This one must be supple enough and not provoke any pain. You can at first leave it to him some moments in the day. In the beginning be not surprised if he scratches himself, he just tries to remove it.

The leash: it is link among you and your Coton de Tuléar. It allows to steer to limit the movements of the dog. It has to measure a little more than a metre, what imposes on Coton to walk beside her master, without overtaking him. The winding leashes are not a good thing for the education, because it allows a freedom of movements which can be a danger just think about only the fact that a passer-by can take feet inside!).

The harness: It maybe a good alternative, because it prevents Coton to get rid of the necklace which would be too loose. Notice that the harness does not agree for dogs intended for canine exhibitions.

For exhibition, your Coton should be educated so as to walk to your left side.

Educational sessions must be realized without forcing the puppy, playing with him, so that it associates this moment at a moment of pleasure. Do not make at the beginning too long sessions, do not hesitate to squat your leash being slack and call the puppy. Congratulate him as soon as he comes towards you. he is likely to panic and to pull as soon as he will feel some resistance. Do not force him!

Each proceeds as he understands, we asked question to Sandy Lejeune, a young breeder:

Learning of the walking in leash is a crucial moment for a puppy, that it is intended for competitions or simply for the wellbeing of daily strolls . That's why I dedicate to it a lot of attention.
Generally I present the leash of exhibition (only) to the puppy from the age of 3 months, I take him in a place without danger and that he does not know. Afterhaving him let "wander" some minutes I slide him slowly the leash around the neck and the leash to hang behind him while he follows me on about ten metres having only me aspoint of reference. And so take place first 2 sessions.

3-rd session starts in the same way, then I take the leash in hand and continue to move, settling adjusting my speed to him, stimulanting him by calling him. If he refuses to walk, I lead to change stimulation. In that case I opt for a toy, a candy or adult Coton which knows how well to walk.
Sessions owed about one quarter of an hour, they begin and always end in a moment of games and cuddles. What explains the infatuation of dogs when I take out the leash which they do not assimilate only to the "work". I end only on an exercise succeeds.

From 3 to 9 months, I make it twice a week, then I space out sessions according to obtained results. I ask for the participation of a another person so that the puppy agrees to walk with the other persons, to have another point of view on presence and it allows me also to judge when the puppy makes exercise with someone else.
When the dog seems to be comfortable, I modify working environment (cities, park, expos).
The important is not to antagonize the puppy during first sessions by pulling on the leash while he refuses to move; that is why in the beginning it happens that I follow the puppy instead of "driving him with the leash.
The main thing is to settle a confident atmosphere. I think that some puppies should born with an" integrated leash " and there it is ideal, while for the others it is more difficult but patience and sweetness are the main words of the education.

Sandy Lejeune