Leash Training Nightmare
At just under 12 weeks, Bowie is SO smart and good... he's completely potty trained (and has been for awhile!), and he knows "sit" and "down." One thing I can't seem to do is leash-train him... which is something vital because I live in an apartment complex where dogs need to be leashed.
I've looked up videos and tried many things. I started with just his collar and a retractable leash... he freaked out and jumped around and hurt his neck. It was traumatic for both of us. So I went out and bought a regular leash and a harness. I've tried letting him just wander around the house with the regular leash dragging behind him... but once it's on he becomes immediately depressed and refuses to move. He just lies down and looks sad and defeated. Even with food... I literally put a treat right under his nose and he wouldn't eat it until he was off the leash. With the harness, same activity... he'll walk places he wants to go (occasionally), but typically he just lays down and refuses to move.
I'm not sure what else to do... even with treats and little to no restriction, he won't work with me. I'd love to be able to take him for walks, but it's simply not happening. I hope it doesn't stem from our first short, traumatic leash session. He's very stubborn and strong-willed, but he's a smart man and a fast learner. Help?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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How long have you had the leash dragging behind him? Sometimes it takes a few days for a puppy to get used to wearing a collar and using a leash. I personally would use a lightweight collar instead of the harness.
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Permalink Reply by Andrea on
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I have a collar on Ein 24/7 since it has her ID tags. Our trainer loves and prescribes almost all of her students with Easy Walk harnesses. The deal with them is that if they pull it throws their center of gravity off. Which then makes them walk nicely. Another option is a head lead. Same deal, just for some dogs easier to fit. I think a good harness is vital. But, this is my opinion. Also, good to see you stopped using the flexi lead. Lots of trainers and vets have told me they are one of the #1 causes of dogs getting injured. They almost all suggest a good sturdy nylon leash (6' being preferred) or, even better, a leather leash. Leash training is rough. Most dogs take a good long while to learn it. Ein has made huge improvements just with proper training, classes, and a good harness. She is far from loose leash walking though. GL
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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I would also start with a light weight collar and it would just stay on him. Put it on and forget about it, he will adjust. Don't coax him or anything, just act normal and go about your business. I would not attach a leash until he has forgotten he even has a collar. Next step is kneel down, to call him to you, tell him to sit, put your hand gently but firmly into the collar, give him a yummy treat and let go of the collar. Repeat often until this routine is establishes and he's cool with it. The leash comes next. I personally would not have him drag it as this can spook some puppies ( the enemy is after me and I can't get away from it...) I would also avoid the flexi for now. A regular leash is best. Snap it on and coax the pup to follow you, if this does not work, pick him up and go outside then let him adjust to the environment. Use patience, he is neither stubborn nor hardheaded, he is simply unsure and worried and wisely "freezes" under these conditions. You say he is potty trained. To me that means he is trained to do his business outdoors, is that what you mean? If not, he needs to make this next step as soon as possible.
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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I agree with others that you should use a collar. Franklin hated both collars and harnesses as a puppy but when I just left a collar on him 24/7 he adjusted to the collar. Retractable leashes are an accident waiting to happen. I can't tell you how many dogs have run away, been hit by cars, etc because owners dropped the leash and the leash "chased" the dog.
Remember your puppy is not protected from Parvo at 12 weeks old. Working around the house is fine but he should not be going on walks until 16 weeks and fully vaccinated. Parvo is highly contagious and areas with a lot of dogs are breeding grounds for the disease.
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Marie on
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He's been wearing a lightweight collar for a few weeks now actually, he's totally used to it! Thank you for all of the other advice too, it's definitely helpful.
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Permalink Reply by Tze Peng on
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I experienced the same thing with Walnut when we put a collar on him. He freaks out. It was terrible the first time. He was depressed as well. He was scracthing his neck trying to get the collar off. When he was at the park with the collar and leash, he will just laid on the floor, trying to bite off the leash.
We gave in for the first couple of times. My husband and I were too heart broken seeing Walnut in depression. But after reading tonnes of tips from the internet, we just leave him alone when he was depressed and freaking out. We will only take out his collar when he stops his "freaking' behaviour. You need to have patient when u train them on collar and leash. We do not collar him when he is at home. We just collar him when we are bring him out. it was pretty bad the first couple of times, eventually, he will start liking it because he knows that, if i am to go out, i need to be collared and leashed.
We still need to sort of struggle a little when we put him his collar, but he no longer freaks out. we is just fine walking with the collar and leash in the park now.
Good luck to you!!
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