A Pet Sitter's Guide to Leash Training a Puppy

Puppies are a joy for pet sitters to care for. Many breeds seem to have an endless supply of energy. They enjoy playing with their owners, sitters and anyone else who pays them the slightest attention. As a pet sitter, you may be called upon by the dog owners to help leash train their new puppy. Leash training will help ensure that their furry friend can go for walks under careful supervision, without running off on his own before he is ready.

Start from the First Visit

Leash training can begin right from the first visit with the puppy. There is no need to shy away from starting leash training until the dog is older. As with any new training exercise with pets, starting early on in the pet's life can have a huge impact on the animal's development and prove to the puppy's owners that you are capable of leash training their puppy without the need to hire someone else to do the job.

Introduce the Leash

If the puppy is unwilling to accept the leash to begin with, spend some time gradually introducing the leash and getting the puppy used to it. Bring out the leash and lay it close to the puppy and let him sniff it. Then put it away. Repeat the process of bringing it out and putting it away. Each time you do so, bring it closer to the puppy, or play with the leash until the puppy's natural curiosity takes over and he approaches the leash.

When the puppy is used to seeing the leash and is comfortable around it, fasten it to his collar and get him used to the feel for it around his neck. Do this inside the house and then venture out back before you head out for a walk.

Establish a Walking Routine

Once the puppy is used to the leash, establish a walking routine. Place the leash in the same location each time. When you bring it out, make it clear that the leash means a walk is imminent. Calling out "walkies" or "let's go walking" can attract the puppy's attention as you take hold of the leash and start walking towards the front door. Doing so can build anticipation and excitement in the puppy, as it starts to associate the leash with a fun walk in the park or forest. As the puppy makes progress, reward him with a treat or praise and make a note of what he has achieved, so that you can report back to the dog owners.

Teach the Puppy Manners

Leash training does not stop at getting the puppy to accept the leash. The puppy also needs to learn proper walking manners. As you walk with the puppy, discourage him from trying to run ahead by gently tugging at the leash so he learns he cannot run off and knock the oncoming children off their bikes. If the puppy persists in tugging, stop walking and firmly tell him "no" and stand still until he has calmed down and is ready to walk on again.

Demonstrate the Puppy's Progress

Pet sitters should demonstrate the puppy's progress with the leash training once the dog owners return home by giving them a detailed verbal and written rundown of what the puppy has learned, what he is still having difficulty with and what they would recommend. Leash training comes easier to some puppies than to others, so if the puppy has been slow to respond, it does not mean he has not grasped any of the training you have tried to instil in him.

Leash training is a rewarding skill that pet sitters can impart to new puppies. It takes time, effort and perseverance, but it is worth it in the end for dog owners and for puppies when the puppy takes to the leash and learns how to behave properly during walks.

More from this contributor:

A Pet Sitter's Guide to Medicating a Stubborn Cat.

Pet Sitters: Be Prepared for an Emergency.

A Pet Sitter's Responsibility Toward Pets.