How to Leash Train a Hunting Dog?

Written by HLRBO - Alex Carter| 1/13/2023

Hunting dogs are known to love walking and exploring. But when a leash is involved, it can be a different story. There are times on your hunt when your pup will need to be leashed, so why not learn how to leash train a hunting dog now before the next hunting season? Keep reading for HLRBO’s expert tips on how to leash train a hunting dog.

Steps to Leash Train a Hunting Dog 

Step 1. Introduce the Dog to the Leash

To start, let your dog sniff the leash so they can “get to know it,” and make the first contact — a very important step.

Start the adjustment process with a necklace that you put on your pup’s neck while they’re playing, eating, or during any other activities they enjoy. After that, hook the leash to the dog’s collar and let it hang a little. Give Fido a treat, and then take it off. Repeat this process several times to give your dog a chance to build a positive association with having a leash around its neck.

Next, walk your dog around your house. Try to avoid rooms your dog may be unfamiliar with, so he can become less scared of leash walking by doing it in a familiar and safe environment. Take a few laps around your dog’s favorite rooms until he’s walking happily with the leash.

Step 2. Get Outside

Once you’ve mastered indoor leash walking, it’s time for the real deal: the Great Outdoors. Start small by walking in the yard or in front of your building so the dog can get used to the leash while outdoors.

Once your pup starts feeling more comfortable being on the leash outside, you’ll notice his curiosity will peak, and he’ll grow eager to explore. This is the perfect time to start your leash walk outside of Fido’s circle of familiarity.

Experts also recommend doing your first few outdoor leash walks in the early morning or evening when there is less traffic to startle your dog. If your dog does get scared, squat next to them, greet them, and then pat them until you can see they’re relaxed and feeling secure in the environment again.

The final step is to bring your pooch to your hunting lease or park to get them familiar and comfortable with the area before your hunt.

Choosing the Right Leash

If you want your hunting pup to get the hang of leash walking, you have to choose the right leash. Keep these two tips in mind:

1. The leash must be comfortable. Make sure you find a leash that fits your dog’s weight and size to avoid the dog forming a negative association with the leash because it’s uncomfortable.
2. The leash must be the right length. The ideal leash length with fluctuate as your dog gets more comfortable on the leash. But to start, you should take the shortest leash so you can fully control your movement. As time goes on and your dog starts leash walking in his sleep (hopefully not literally), you can buy a long leash.

Leash Walking Difficulties 

On your quest to leash train your hunting dog, you may run into the following difficulties — here’s how to solve them.

Difficulty #1: Pulling

When a puppy pulls her leash while walking, it’s usually because she’s full of energy and can’t wait to explore the world around her. Avoid this by making sure your dog gets enough exercise through several walks per day.

Difficulty #2: Dog Refuses to Walk on Leash

Does your dog start a game of freeze tag every time you put him on the leash? Some dogs may flat-out refuse to walk in the open air. This usually happens because they are scared. To get them moving, you will require some extra patience — with them and with your training. Keep practicing walking at home on a leash and around the yard and block until they feel comfortable. Reward them for their good behavior and keep training, and eventually, they will come out of their shell and start walking with ease.

If your dog is comfortable walking on the leash inside but is scared of the noises and smells of the outside, gradually introduce him to the outside environment before you start taking him on outdoor walks. You can do this by hanging out on a deck or patio with them, carrying them outside and sitting on the grass and sidewalk with them, and leaving the front door and windows open so they can get used to the smells and sounds of the Great Outdoors.

Do you need a hunting dog before you can start leash training them? HLRBO can help. Read HLRBO’s Guide to Choosing Your First Hunting Dog here.