How to get my dog used to collars and leashes

How to get my dog used to collars and leashes

 

Getting to take off the leash or collar (especially the collar) seems to be challenging. The dog doesn’t sit still, backs away from the leash or collar, because he has not been properly imprinted in a positive way to be handled comfortably during the event. Since he has been caught, forced and jelled at to hold still when leash or collar needs to go on, he increases his resistance when he can predict the process to start. A lot of times owners just decide to avoid the hustle and leave the collar on their dog. Collars should be removed from the dog at lest every 12 hours as they push on the coat around their neck and damage it all the way to skin infections.
The procedure should be properly trained. It is much easier with a puppy than a fully grown dog to teach the process comfortably for dog and owner.
Make a positive connection between the accessories used (leash, collar, nail trimmer, brush, etc).
To start the introduction positively, show the object and provide a treat. If your dog has been conditioned to the click as a marker, click and treat for any orientation toward the object. Looking at it, moving toward it. Make sure that orientation away from it or being overly active does not lead to click and treat.
Shape the orientation all the way to where he might start moving his head into the collar. Some times it helps to click for this movement and directly reward his head going all the way into the loop. Let him get back out and start the shaping process again. Click for progression all the way to where he holds still when the collar comes closer and finally be slipped over his head. The process should be accepted while siting still.

The shaping process of the procedure should be done quickly in small increments until the final stage where the dog holds still putting the collar on and taking it off.

If you are not familiar with shaping behaviors with a marker, we recommend that you at least classically condition the appearance of accessories in a positive way. That means that every time the collar appears and the dog looks at it, treats will be provided.