Dog won't walk on the lead?

Question

Hi everyone. A quick question for all you animal lovers out there. I have a 16 week old puppy (Jack russell/shetland sheepdog). She has had her boosters and is now ready to venture out into the great wide outdoors. The only problem is she blatantly refuses to walk on the lead, struggles furiously and wimpers. Does anyone have any suggestions other than dragging her along. All help would be appreciated. Thank you everyone xxx

Answer 1

Most puppies fight the lead at first. First, is she comfortable with wearing the collar? You want to be using a light-weight nylon collar for a young puppy, not any kind of a choke collar.

When you take her out, take a few treats along, Walk a couple of steps and encourage her to come along - call her in a happy voice, pat your leg to coax her along, whatever works. You need to take it slow and be patient. Reward her for coming along even for a couple of steps - both lots of praise and treats.

Don't drag her - if she stops, you stop and coax her along again.
In the beginning, let her choose where she wants to go and you follow along - you're not trying to obedience train her yet! She'll catch on really quickly with gentle coaxing that her walks are a fun time.

Answer 2

Try walking with leash inside the house. If that's successful, give her a really special treat and praise, praise, praise. She may be intimidated by the big scary world out there, so I'd introduce the leash before the outside.

When she's accepting the leash, I'd venture out. Not too far the first time. Maybe just to the end of the driveway and back, going just a little further everytime you have success. Keep your really special treats handy and reward her progress.

It's important not to nurture her fear. When she is protesting, or acting fearful, it is not the time to coddle her. Speak confidently to her, the more confident she senses you are, the more she will trust you. I wouldn't force her by dragging her around, but at the same time, let her know that you mean business when moving forward. If you stop when she stops, she will think she's in charge.

Take small babysteps to the outside world, don't expect her to take it all in at once. Be gentle but firm.

Good Luck!.

Answer 3

Start with a long lead 20 to 25ft. in an open field no distractions,and limit exercise to 10 minutes. walk aimlessly, giving quick snaps if if she is at the full length of the lead. everytime she comes within heel give a treat with lavish amounts of praise. As you walk around the field pull in 5ft every 2 minutes all at once. As the dog is pulled in closer change direction more frequently. When dog is at heel only praise once then give stop command sit command praise reward. The trick is to become a habit so it must become regular part of life. soon she will heel without a lead and in an open dog park your dog will even come check in every few minutes.

Answer 4

Put the leash on the pup in the house and let him drag it around. Be sure to watch him so that he doesn't get caught on anything. After a couple of day of his feeling comfortable with this pick up the leash and let him lead you around. Then take him outside and let him lead you around. Once he is comfortable leading you around you can start to exert some control and get him to go where you want.

Answer 5

Well my eight week old Rot did the same thing she did not want it on her at all she fougt with me and everything eventually i put it on her every time we went out side but i let it go out of my hands and walked away from her. she looked at the leash and then looked at me. finially after a few days of that she ran to me ith is still on. After a few days of that i kept it in my hands and walked a few steps away, again she fought with me i just kept on her now she does not care.

Answer 6

When they have any kind of shot they just want to be left alone. By tomorrow that dog will be back to normal. Just let the dog rest.