How old is your dog?

Pre-Puppy

What’s better than puppies? That’s right: your own puppy. So, what do you need to know before you take the plunge into pet parenthood?

0-2 months

Welcome to the world little one. It’s all grow-grow-grow for your puppy right now, so there’s many things to prepare.

2-3 months

Your puppy is ready to come home and turn your world upside down. It’s time to put your preparation into practice – and remember to take it all in!

3-6 months

You’re entering a period of immense growth, lots of learning and new adventures. Bring on the play date with the big wide world!

6-12 months

Your fur-baby is nearing adulthood. Can you see their grown self coming through? Sigh…they grow up so fast, don’t they?

12-18 months

Your puppy has turned one and they might not be so little anymore. Make sure to book their first annual check-up.

18 months - 3 years

Your dog is one an established family member now. Enjoy who they have become and the bond you now share at this special stage.

3 - 8 years

Your dog is a full-grown adult now. They understand where their place is in your home and the wider world.

8+ years

Just like many senior citizens, senior dogs have some extra needs. Learn to look after your best friend and support their health as they grow older.

How to Train your Dog to Walk on a Lead

Dr Jess Beer - Pet Behaviourist

BVSc MANZCVS

Dr Jess is a fully qualified Veterinarian with more than 17 years of experience in companion animal clinical practice. She has worked in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, as well as donating her time to charities in India, Greece, Portugal, Thailand, Panama, Mexico, Romania, Rarotonga and Gibraltar.

How to Train your Dog to Walk on a Lead

The essence of training your dog to behave while walking on a lead, is to work on socialising them and perfect the art of getting your dog to focus on you.

By training and rewarding your dog to focus and pay attention to you, they're learning that paying attention to you is more rewarding than doing other things. Things such as leaping, lunging, or just pulling on the lead.

While you're doing this training you're building a relationship with your dog, who wants to do more things with you. You should never rely on techniques that are punishing - as these types of things damage your relationship.

Step-by-Step Clicker Points

Step 1: Start in your own home or backyard, with some training treats in your hand.

Step 2: Spend some time getting and keeping your dog's attention, to show that paying attention to you is more rewarding than looking around or leaving your side.

Step 3: Take a few steps away from your dog, call their name, and reward when they come to you. Do this a few times so that you're reinforcing this good behaviour of keeping their attention focussed on you.

Step 4: Now it's time to take your dog out onto the footpath outside of the house or yard, where there's going to be a few more distractions. Cars, noise, other people etc. Walk a few steps and then stop, call their name to ensure the focus is on you, and then reward. And then repeat this for ~20 or so metres along the footpath. And then repeat this daily to build this behaviour.

Good luck!