They can feel what you think through the leash.
A leash is a tool to communicate between dogs and people and should never be a tool to punish or discipline a dog. Best case, the leash creates a trusting connection between you and your dog. When Maximus came to us a few months ago, he clearly showed that he didn’t have a good connection to the leash. As soon as the leash clicked into his collar, he panicked. He tried to escape or pull himself out of the collar.
If the leash is as negatively loaded as with Maximus, it is important to take the pressure off and start again from the beginning. With him, I playfully and gently confronted him with different leashes. I wanted to arouse his interest in working with me and gave him space to help determine the pace at which we work – no expectations of going for a walk straight away. I petted him with the leash, hooked the leash on and off and praised him a lot when he showed interest or at least didn’t react with panic or withdrawal. I wanted him to understand that he has a right of co-determination and that things go at his own pace. When I see him being comfortable walking with me and trusting me, I started walking him outside in my yard.
Only 3 weeks later Maximus reacts with great enthusiasm when I take out the leash. He knows we are going for a walk and he also understands now, the leash is just a rope that provides a tether to his caregiver.
