Leash Training a Puppy

Request: Leash Training a Puppy

I have a 4 month old Standard Poodle pup named Prince. He is a wonderful dog. I am just having the most frustrating time getting him to walk on a leash. We would only get about one maybe two houses down the street and then all of a sudden "boom" he just stops, looks around and refuses to move.

I do have to admit I made the mistake of trying to pull him the first day. When my wife saw me she corrected my bad behavior really quick (it didn't hurt that much). So I searched around online a little bit and saw something about just waiting for the dog to move and then starting back on your journey. But when I tried that it took me an hour and fifteen minutes just to walk to the library at the end of my block.

I am at my wits end. The dog does everything else OK. He uses the bathroom outside when he is supposed to and he is not overly aggressive. So is this something that will get better over time, something that can be corrected with training; or I am going to have to take a very expensive loss (stand in front of Comerica park and give the dog away to some lucky family). I just got rid of something just sitting around the house. My son just left for college.

I just want to go on some nice peaceful walks with my beautiful apricot Standard Poodle. And eventually get another one (white). So if you have any suggestions, please let me know what I should do. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

By Doggy Dave from Detroit, MI

Feedback:

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

Is it likely that the ground surface is too hot to walk on and the pup's paws are feeling it? My daughter has a "chi" and she never thought of how hot cement and pavement can be as people usually wear shoes and may not think about it. Try walking him in the shade of grassy park for awhile and see if that helps or you notice any difference. If the pup started out on the right foot of the walk and ended up sitting down on the job, it could be too hot where he's walking and he feels the heat off the walkway and is made uncomfortable. (07/07/2009)

By Lorelei

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

Try getting some little bite size treats. Let the pup smell the treat but keep it just out of his range. As soon as he takes a step or two toward the treat, give it to him. Repeat this process, making him go a few more steps each time to get the treat. You are trying to show him that the idea is to keep moving forward. He'll catch on soon enough. The post from Lorelei is a good one too -- make sure the ground is not too hot for his little paws. Grass is a great starting point for this training. Good luck and don't give away your new baby. If all else fails, a professional trainer should be able to show you a quick fix in a lesson or two. (07/09/2009)

By Rchinaberr

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

You need to buy a good 'dog training' book and follow it to the recommended letter. Some of it may sound quite cruel, but within just a short time, your walks will be so worth the effort, some pet shops have economical training classes, and are worth every $ spent. The habits you instill in this puppy now will be great rewards as the dog matures. Keep us posted! (07/09/2009)

By Lgoff15

Request: Leash Training a Puppy

Any ideas for leash training? Every time I try to walk my puppy she just lays down. The first walk was great, it was with me and my husband. She was running and doing really great. But when I try to walk her by myself she won't walk.

Janessa

Feedback:

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

If she won't walk, then pick her up and carry her about half-mile from home, where she won't recognize her surroundings. Just stand there while she looks around, and when she starts to move, follow her. Soon you'll guide her some, but the joy of adventure is what motivates her to keep moving. If you know of any fenced area where you could have her off-leash, just toss a ball around, then that would help her understand that being outside with her is a special time to play and go places fun! (04/06/2008)

By kimhis

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

A harness is best for training and safer for a puppy. A short leash which you hold at a point only long enough between your waist and the puppy with one hand (hand on side puppy is walking) and the other hand holds the handle of the leash. In this manner the puppy simply cannot roll over or lie down because you hold the leash firmly with no slack.

It helps to wrap the leash once around the hand closest to the puppy for complete control. Firm low-tone commands, kindly spoken, but without ending on a high note (like when someone asks a question). You are in control. Keep small treats in your pocket on the side away from the puppy, you can give them periodically with that hand while keeping the leash snug, while saying "good walk" once calmly and then immediately start walking again. With puppies, one-word commands work best...good sit, good potty, etc.

If puppy is struggling, whining, barking and such keep walking. If puppy is good for a few steps - treat and praise. After 3 treats in a row give puppy free range to sniff, pee, trot ahead of you for 30-60 seconds, then start the controlled walk again. After a few walks like this you should have a fairly obedient puppy.

As a side note, never hit, yell at, or scold a puppy. You want a puppy to feel safety, love, and self-control from you at all times. If puppy misbehaves, one sharp sound is sufficient (the sound people make when they wag a finger at a child, enh, enh, enh - but only one and firmly but not with anger or a questioning tone). And more often than not, simply redirecting the puppy to a good behavior is better - such as biting, give the puppy an approved toy with no scolding.

Teach a puppy to sit and you have the ultimate in redirection: jumping, tell puppy to sit and give love; barking, tell puppy to sit and give love, and so on. It's surprising how easily they are tamed in this manner - really they only want to love and please you. Let them. (10/11/2008)

Request: Leash Training a Puppy

Thank you for answering my last question, you were really a great help. If i may bother everyone one more time about my pit bull pup. I am trying to leash train him, but when I start I always hold it above his head so he can't see it. But somehow he still manages to roll around and bite it (I think he thinks it's a toy). Should I spank him? And also he has a problem with biting clothes and growling! I just do not know what to do exactly with him. Please answer my questions again. Thanks,

Michael From Carolina

Answers:

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

Michael, Here's a link to a site that might help you & I both train our puppies: http://www.dog-play.com/leash.html. Best of Luck Marla http://www.forgetmenotaromas.com - Our fragrances leave lasting impressions. (03/11/2005)

By forgetmenotaromas

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

You should never hurt your dog, especially a puppy. Why would you want the dog to fear you, & especially a puppy. They don't know what to do, you have to show them. The pup is just trying to play. Maybe the site given will help you. (03/11/2005)

By Vicki

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

Never hit the dog, he loves you and sees you as his master but should never be afraid of you. I suggest you go to a professional trainer. The dog is a pit bull they do have a bad reputation. A trainer with knowledge and experience in handling different types of dogs would be helpful throughout the dogs life. (03/11/2005)

By sandy

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

For leash training, try a Halti or Gentle Leader training collar. All pet stores have them and they are GREAT! Since your dog is such a handful and he's only a pup, I think you should take him to an obedience class. If you don't teach him proper behaviors now, it will be much harder to break bad behavior when he is bigger. (03/11/2005)

By Linda

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

He's only very young yet - persistence will pay off. Every time he displays some behavior you don't want say 'NO!' in a growly voice to get his attention. Be consistent - don't make a game of it sometimes and then don't allow him to do it others. All pups can be bitey and chewy - not necessarily an indication of their future nature. He should learn to respond to your voice and there won't be any need to spank him. If he responds well to you, which in such a young pup would be just pausing and paying attention, pat and praise. He will grow out of the chewing and biting if he learns this is not acceptable behavior. Leash training is covered in dog training books - haven't you bought that book yet?! Regards Jo (03/11/2005)

By Jo Bodey

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

Never ever hit a dog - or a puppy - it will make all problems worst - POSITIVE training only - seek a trainer or go on internet and find "positive" training. (05/21/2005)

By Jeanne

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

For our 8 week old pug's 1st day of leash training she rested and dragged the leash around, just to get use to it . (01/22/2007)

By blkpug

RE: Leash Training a Puppy

Michael, it sounds like your puppy thinks the leash is a toy. Blkpug has a great solution. Obedience school can be really good if you haven't trained a dog before. I think it's more about training the human than the dog. Just be careful about where you take him to school. Some classes are great and other schools are more into tough love. Positive training only. Sure a big human can hit a little dog. But that doesn't make it right. And dogs are so smart that especially with a muscular breed like a pit bull he may well learn from being hit or hurt himself that aggression solves problems. You don't want that. (07/09/2007)

By Sheraone