Collars and Leash Training on Young Puppies

[DogLuvvr]

I want my pup to start wearing a collar immediately so that he gets used to it. However, it seems like the only kind that would fit an 8 week old pup would be the kind made for toy dogs, which I know he will outgrow at some point (he's a Welsh Terrier), but I was thinking maybe, for safety reasons, I should get one of them while he's a pup so that he has a well-fitted collar on?

What do you guys think?

I also want to start leash training him a few days after he gets here, so perhaps when he is 8 and a half weeks or so. Is that too young? I wouldn't take him outside, of course. I would only walk him around the house.

Finally, is there any significant difference between leather and nylon collars and leashes?

Thanks guys!

 

[corgipower]

I put a puppy collar on from day one. Yea they do out grow it, and as they grow, I get them bigger collars. I like this type - they slide to adjust them, which makes it easier to fit them on a growing puppy than a buckle collar.

I do start with leashes from day one as well, using a very thin leash so it's not too heavy for the pup. I don't have a fenced yard, so I'm not going to risk the pup getting to the road. The leash is there just in case he wants to run off.

As for nylon vs leather, I use nylon for pups - I use a very thin light nylon, and the cheapest I can buy in case they decide to chew on it. When they're old enough that they aren't chewing on the leash anymore and can handle more weight on the leash, I prefer leather. I find it's more comfortable in my hands.

 

[Maxy24]

I agree with the above, let him drag the leash around a few times a day and always supervise so you can interrupt him if he chews it. Why won't you be taking the pup outside?

 

[smkie]

Personally i wouldn't put a collar on an 8 week old pup but i would have one on him with in the month. But that is just me. Letting him drag the leash when he is just a little bit older is a good idea. MAke sure that you check that collar often so that it never gets too tight, they grow so fast at this period in their life.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

My puppies wear collars of some type from the moment of birth.

First it is ribbons. Then by about 5-6 weeks, it is collars. I mainly do this so that I can tell them apart at a glance, but they leave here quite used to having a collar on.

Otherwise, I agree with CorgiPower.

 

[DogLuvvr]

I put a puppy collar on from day one. Yea they do out grow it, and as they grow, I get them bigger collars. I like this type - they slide to adjust them, which makes it easier to fit them on a growing puppy than a buckle collar.

I do start with leashes from day one as well, using a very thin leash so it's not too heavy for the pup. I don't have a fenced yard, so I'm not going to risk the pup getting to the road. The leash is there just in case he wants to run off.

As for nylon vs leather, I use nylon for pups - I use a very thin light nylon, and the cheapest I can buy in case they decide to chew on it. When they're old enough that they aren't chewing on the leash anymore and can handle more weight on the leash, I prefer leather. I find it's more comfortable in my hands.

I was debating between the buckle or the sliding adjustable kind. Good point about the sliding adjustable collars being easier to fit. I'll probably go with that one.

About the leash...so you would let the pup drag the leash around? How often throughout the day do you do this, and at what times would you take the leash off?

I agree with the above, let him drag the leash around a few times a day and always supervise so you can interrupt him if he chews it. Why won't you be taking the pup outside?

I won't be taking the pup outside to walk around until he is fully vaccinated. Dogs are frequently walked in my area, and I don't want to risk him contracting anything.

Personally i wouldn't put a collar on an 8 week old pup but i would have one on him with in the month. But that is just me.

Why not?

My puppies wear collars of some type from the moment of birth.

First it is ribbons. Then by about 5-6 weeks, it is collars. I mainly do this so that I can tell them apart at a glance, but they leave here quite used to having a collar on.

Otherwise, I agree with CorgiPower.

Yes, the breeder currently has a ribbon or collar of some type on him, I believe, so he should be pretty used to having something on his neck.

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

 

[corgipower]

I would let him drag the leash any time he is loose with me.

You should keep him supervised anyway - for housebreaking. Dragging the leash helps him get used to the feel of it, also it gives you something to grab if you need to.

I take it off if he's confined (in a pen, crate) or unsupervised.

 

[Bahamutt99]

http://apbt.info/tiki-index.php?page=Leash+Training

Here's a thing I wrote on collar/leash training. It pretty much covers how I do it.

 

[ihartgonzo]

When I first adopted Fozzie, I got him a harness and a collar. He wore his harness most of the time, because it's impossible to slip out of, and it doesn't put pressure on the neck. His collar was leather and his harness was nylon. I used a thin leather leash for him, just because they are more durable, and a lot less tempting to shred.

DEFINITELY, definitely start leash training now. Take him on short, pleasant walks, don't drag him around on it, and make him think of leash time as something to look forward to. My BIL's Bulldog was never on a leash as a puppy, and even into adulthood, he will not budge if there's a leash on him. D: