I know she's young (just a little past 8 weeks, Scottish Terrier) but, she was walking dilegently behind me when I walked her with her leash for the first four days. Now whenever I walk her, she stubbornly puts out her front legs in protest, or just lies down completely.
I tried gently tugging the leash then giving the leash some slack, and saying "come" but she doesn't.. just pulls back. I even tried pulling until she gives, but she just pulls back.
I feel she's too young for a leash training device, however, she's so smart that I feel she's just manipulating me to carry her (which I don't want to get her used to being carried and want her to follow me on the leash.. HELP!!
2006-08-12 01:08:55 · 15 answers · asked by bunka24 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It sounds like she's just trying to assert her independence -- a way to combat the digging in is to move the collar up higher on her neck, so that it sits closer to her ears. That area is more sensitive, so you'll get less of a fight. Also, instead of pulling straight forward, pull forward and up at an angle, so that you 'force' her to move forward.
I have a Silky Terrier -- relatively the same size as a Scotty -- and usually he is very good at walking. Every once and a while he gets stubborn, and synching up on the collar does the trick every time.
Your girl may protest a little verbally, but that's all it is, a protest. As long as you're not strangling the dog or forcefully yanking her forward, she'll be fine. And you'll see that she quits quickly, too.
A lot of times, especially with smaller breeds, people are afraid of 'breaking' their dog, so they go easy on the discipline. But every dog needs it to be happy.
One thing you can try, to teach her "come" is run backwards away from her. When she plays and runs after you, repeat "come" and when she catches you, heap on lots of praise and maybe reward with some food. She'll start to associate come with coming to you. Also, if you carry around her favorite treat and reward her with one every time you tell her to come, she'll start coming really quickly - because she'll know she's getting a treat for her trouble.
Also, on walks carry around her favorite treat in your pocket -- the smell of it will motivate her to follow you :)
2006-08-12 01:24:52 · answer #1 · answered by Elisa D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like she is afraid of something. Did she have a bad experience on one of the walks that would make her reluctant to go out again? When a dog gets hurt or frightened at a young age they develop a pattern of behavior to avoid repeating the experience. Why don't you try training her in the house on the leash and then see what happens when you start to head out the door?
2006-08-12 08:17:34 · answer #2 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called "baiting". Entice her to follow you with a treat or a toy. Hold the bait near your head, so she looks in the direction of your face when she follows it. When she has her eyes on you and she follows you, stop and give her the bait as a reward. Do not reward her if she doesn't behave perfectly.
Keep these training sessions short, but do them often. Above all, resist the temptation to pick her up. That'll only teach her that you'll be her legs for her when she needs to go somewhere.
It shouldn't take very long, but be patient. She'll learn.
2006-08-12 10:37:31 · answer #3 · answered by Ginbail © 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do the opposite of whatever she's expecting. she sounds like a smart little stinker that needs some variety. whenever she stops, just make it uncomfortable for her [steady pressure behind her ears, flicking pebbles at her, squirting her with a spray bottle, etc...] don't get mad, never get mad at animals, they don't interpret anger coming from people as anything but dangerous. don't try to drag her, just do whatever you can think of to make the experience uncomfy. then when she does do something you want, make it a good experience. also, maybe you could bring treats with you so she'll think you're worth listening to.
but, you should also take into account that she is super super younge and going on long walks might be too tiring, or maybe you go over areas that hurt her feet. where does she stop? gravel? asphalt? i don't know, but it sounds like she might be protesting because you're asking something above and beyond what her body can handle. for a puppy to not want to get out and see new things is a little strange. she might be trying to tell you something important.
2006-08-12 08:53:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lead her around your living room with treat, and eventually she will learn to walk right beside you, hopefully you won't get what I got right now, she's is what I call a velcro dog, she is stuck at my hip the entire time I am at home she is afraid she's going to miss something. But starting leash train at 8 weeks is fine. Just try to take it one step at a time don't go too far and get to her level if you can and call her to you and work your way to showing her the treat and tell her to "watch me" and she should follow, it might take a couple of weeks you might want to do this in the house where she isn't too distracted with all the sights and sounds of outside.
2006-08-12 19:00:43 · answer #5 · answered by ~Kricket~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually give it a couple of weeks so the two of you can bond and let her gain some trust in you. Then take a bag of doggy snacks with you and hand it down to her but dont let her take it right away and tell her to come on. Lead her with it for a bit and then tell her good girl and give it to her. She will get the idea. Works every time. But you will have to do this for a few days at least. The quickest I ever had one of mine to train was three days.
2006-08-12 09:07:39 · answer #6 · answered by 420girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep trying, she's a bit young but you want her used to the leash. When she's hungry, dangle the food in front of her and have her walk to get it, the reward at the end is dinner...
If she would normally follow you around, get someone else to lead her while you walk in front of her.
2006-08-12 14:18:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she's too young for leash training, why try to train her now then? Try a different route, or perhaps contact your local pet store for suggestions.
2006-08-12 08:15:27 · answer #8 · answered by shire_maid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use dog treats and give lots of positive attention when she comes. She should believe the only safe fun and good place in the world is with you
2006-08-12 08:20:41 · answer #9 · answered by lvtaride 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is only 8 weeks old she probably hasn't gotten to know you yet. She is still trying to adjust to her new home....give her some time to learn that you are her new best friend and that she wants to go where you go.
2006-08-12 09:28:51 · answer #10 · answered by gardnerclf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋