The meaning of “LEAD-ership”

“And that’s when I fell for, the LEAD-er of the pack!” … What? Ok, bad pun but who doesn’t like a bad pun? Any way, don’t under estimate the importance of the lead, it connects you to your pooch literally 1-2-1. It’s a key tool in developing an emotion communication bond. It isn’t just a device to stop your dog from wondering off into the road. Using subtle gestures being fed up and down the lead, you start to tell your dog what you expect from them in a given situation, from walking calmly, stopping at the curb, leave, settle, come etc… All important when first getting to know each other, be it teaching a puppy or adopting a rescue.

You should be talking to each other through the lead. It’s a great indicator on how you two are listening too by being literally connected, the pooch has to be paying you some attention or they can find themselves suddenly pulled in another direction as you’ve gone left and they right, and you too or your wrapped round a lamppost.

It’s also vital in management, great as it is to have a responsive and obedient pup but there’s always situations when you need to have them on the lead, no matter how good they are, horses, sheep, nervous dogs don’t know that. And that’s also why it’s also important to have the right lead. An extendable isn’t good if you have a excitable 35kg Labbie, or a short rope lead for pull-y pug. Think about what you expect from your pup when out for a walk and how you speak to the. Walking a dog isn’t just about step count, it’s also about talking and enjoying to each others company.