Many dog owners, especially those with large back yards, often do not leash train their dogs. While a no-leash lifestyle may work in suburban areas or homes with back yards, it is still a habit that every dog should learn.

First and foremost, keeping your dog on a leash in public is a huge safety measure for your dog and those around it. When your dog sees a person, squirrel, other dog or any other distraction, it is hard to control him or her without a leash. If they run away, they could get hit by a car, injure/scare someone or get lost. With all of these life-threatening risks in mind, it starts to seem like a minor effort to leash-train your precious furry friends.

Additionally, having dogs that are leash-trained makes it much easier to make changes to their daily routine. If you go out of town, take your dog to work with you, or want him to join the family on your day in town, leash training is a must. You should not expect your dog to automatically be comfortable with suddenly being walked on a leash, especially if it is by a dog sitter and not you.

Finally, leash training is an easy way (one of many) for your dog to learn to respect you. When they have to follow your lead and your pace while walking, they learn that you are the boss of the situation, and they gain an added level of respect.

These are just a few reasons why it is important to leash train your dog. Call us today at Doggie Styles if you have any questions or want to learn more!