Having a dog on a leash in the house is a good way to keep her out of trouble.

Not, only that. Having a dog leash controlled in the house also increases bonding, provided it is done right.

Prior to TV trainers, the general use of a rope/lead was to prevent the dog from running away. In addition it was, and sadly still is, used as a correction tool; to pop the choke collar fitted pooch into heel position; into a sit position; into a down or a forced come. Hardly anybody, prior to Trainer TV, had the pooch tied to oneself in the house.


That has changed, and now dog owners ask me frequently what my take is regarding umbilical cording; clipping the dog on, and looping the leash around the waist.

Well, here it is: I have dogs because I want them near me, want to enjoy their companionship. And socially normal dogs want to be with their humans. Some puppies, or newly adopted dogs, are very curious and investigative, and in addition might not be socially bonded yet to their new owners. Umbilical cording the pooch in the house leaves him no other choice but to be with you. And that is a good idea. I want to know where my puppy, or my new companion is, and what he is up to. I don’t know him yet and need to keep him out of trouble. More importantly, I give him ample opportunity to bond to me.


The key to bonding is that when your pup/dog is “made” to follow you because she is tied to you, that it is natural and positive; a happy time, and not a forced one-hour-each-day “you do as I say” tense training event.

One hour a day makes absolutely no sense, because bonding, training, raising and teaching a pup or new dog is a 24/7 event. If you kick your dog into the yard for a couple of hours, put him in a crate away from you for a few more hours, then give him free run of the house for some time, and then suddenly coerce her to follow you, you teach your dog that she is on her own and in control of herself mostly, and whenever you have a leash in your hand, you become this erratic person on an alpha trip.

Instead, keep your pup or new dog close to you as much as you can, have him move with you when you change places, or have him in a stationary down (and reward that) beside you when you work on the computer, eat dinner, or watch TV. Increase his freedom away from you gradually. Chances are though, that if he experiences that being close to you is good news, that he’ll never be far away – regardless if leashed or not.


Leash managing also accelerates housetraining. You are right there when the puppy becomes fidgety and can take her out quickly.