how can i leash train my dog?

Question

He's a puppy. i just got him. He's 14 weeks. And it seems like he doesn't like the leash. when i put it on him to take him out to pee or poop, and i put his leash on, he won't budge and won't walk. he tries to get out of his collar. how can i leash train him?

btw, hes a goldendoodle

and whenever i try putting the leash on him, he always tries biting it or my sleeve. and he lays down when i put it on. he absolutely hates the leash.

Answer 1

I would go with a harness which is harder to get out of than a normal collar and doesn't cause him pain when he pulls. Also, depending on the breed (if he is very small especially) a collar is not necessarly appropriate. If he is a larger breed a prong collar might work (a very slight quick pull from you to get him with you and then just walk along without the pressure, it shouldn't be pushing on his neck the whole time) and then you just need to practice, practice, practice.

With my dog, we took a bit of a treat or two with me on the walk and kind of hold in front of me as we walk or a toy he likes alot too. We would walk a little bit, and of course he would heel and walk along because he wanted the biscuit, at the same time I would give lots of praise and then after a bit I would give it to him. Then we would go longer and longer before he got the biscuit and finally we'd do it without the biscuit but with the praise and eventually he got it.

Remember that being on a leash is not innate to the dog, it's a learned skill, so be patient and helpful and kind and it will all work out!

Good luck!

After your edit: Get a chain leash, then there isn't much to chew on, and if he keeps doing it get a bottle of bitter apple spray and spray the chain with it. Its a solution that just tastes icky to the dog and so keeps them from mouthing it.

Answer 2

You just got him so you may need to wait a couple of weeks to let him learn where home really is. Once you feel certain he knows where home is, try taking him out without the leash and then putting the leash on him. Then just drop the thing and let him drag it home. You can enhance this by getting into a routine where he gets some kind of reward, such as food, games, liked grooming -- whatever, when he comes back from the walks. This will prevent him from wanting to win a battle or patience with you by simply not budging with the leash on.

A more direct approach depends on the type of collar you are using. A chain collar that goes tight when you pull the leash is my preferred leash training collar. You can pull on a fixed size collar all day long and never get your dog's attention. If you tighten the collar uncomfortably by pulling, or if you cut off his air supply, you start getting his attention. A momentary air interruption is all you should ever purposely subject your dog to, so don't pull and keep on pulling.

A chain collar is most effective when used to jerk your dog. It does not feel good to the dog, and they will eventually modify their behavior to avoid the jerk. You can jerk them up, jerk them back, or jerk them to follow. The goal should be for them to walk near your left side while you control them with your left hand.

If you don't like the idea of the normal chain collars, there is another type that uses a double chain arrangement to lessen the effect the dog experiences. It will still work, but it might take more time.

Something else you might try is keeping the leash on the dog just about ALL the time until he has accepted it. Do not do this with the chain collar because then choking becomes a real hazard.

My dogs are never without a collar. If they ever get lost, that collar has their ID and my number on it and may be the only thing that gets my dog returned.

Expect these little trials. Both the Golden and the Poodle are smart breeds. Until your dog completely understands you are Alpha and it is not, it will try to make you please him and not the other way around.

Good luck.

Answer 3

No choke collars! No pronged collars! You guys are nuts. Your dog is obviously afraid of the leash so you don't want to amplify it. Get a Gentle Leader Head collar. It looks like a horse halter but is allot more humane. Walk your dog for about 30 min. keeping him directly by your side. Encourage this with treats. Then when you are done with the walk and he is a little tired bring him into the backyard or someplace large and with no outside distractions. Tie a long rope to his collar and call his name (if he doesn't obey grab the rope and slowly pull him towards you) Give him a treat once he reaches you. Keep doing this over and over, the first few times will be rough. But after a while you will see that he will start coming each time you call. Now you have established yourself as the leader and the one to trust. After some time getting him come to you to put the leash on and to walk with you will be allot better for both of you. Keep up a routine, if you don't all this time you both put in will be for nothing. Good luck

Answer 4

Most dogs learn very quickly that they must sit while the leash is being attached to the collar. They usually tremble with excitement, ready to explode into a frenzy as soon as this phase is accomplished. If your dog bolts toward the door, dragging you behind, then the situation is still out of control. Simply hold onto the leash, stand still and let your dog dance, ricochet and bounce around at the end of the leash. It may take 5 minutes or more, but she will soon realize that you are not going anywhere and will begin to calm down. When this happens, praise her for being good. After another minute or so, take your first step, but NOT towards the door. Instead, walk your dog around your house, garage or yard to give her a chance to practice her 'not-pulling' skills. Every time she pulls, lunges or strains on the leash, simply stand still again. When she calms down, talk to her, praise her calmly and quietly. Try to keep her attention on yourself instead of the door that leads to outside. When you feel that your dog is in control and she is walking nicely without pulling in your house or yard, then it is time to proceed to the great outdoors.

Answer 5

Start with a short nylon leash and clip it to him when he's inside. Let him drag it around the room as he goes. If he chews on it you could spray it with some Bitter Apple. Once he seems to get used to dragging it around inside, try picking up the end and walking around with him inside. Then repeat the same thing outside until he adjusts.

I do not suggest a choke collar and control - you don't have a dog that's pulling on the leash or generally being agressive. He needs encouragement to get used to the leash, not punishment.

Answer 6

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aL2Os

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 7

What i had to do as advised by a friend was to let the dog walk around the house and garden so that they get used to the weight of the leash. Moving outside with her got easier. When she remembered whilst walking that she was on the leash she would stop, i gave her some encouragement and a treat and we would carry on walking. It will come with time.

Answer 8

Ask your local vet or look online for a product called the 'no-pull' harness. It is a small harness type leash that secures around the neck and behind the front legs. Very un-obtrusive. I used one when my Weimeraner puppy hated his leash and this totally solved the problem. I then graduated him to a regular collar and leash and have had no problems since...good luck.

Answer 9

No choke chains ! - he's too young and they can do serious damage to the throat. and you want him to like the lead, not hate it! At 14 weeks he should be impressionable enough to teach - but you must start now. Ignore the advice about being to young, that is really not right. He is cleverer than you imagine! Just get a good soft collar and lead and a little box of chopped garlic polony and cheese (small pieces) . get him to sit, attach the collar and praise him for sitting and give him a polony piece. Then sit again and attach the collar, and treat. You could let him drag it around til he gets used to the feel of it, but i would forget that and start walking. Get him to sit on your left side, polony at the ready and say (cheerfully and happily) Heel! lets go! and he'll either rush headlong into the distance, or sit down. either way, keep cheerful and hold polony near the knee level to encourage him to keep near you and not pull. and keep practicing, 20 mins a day is what trainers say - and he'll get it. Might not seem like it, but he will.

Answer 10

I would start with very short intervals. With rewards of treats. Put the leash on and the second he doesn't act up give him a treat. Keep repeating this but do not do this for long periods at the start. So as to keep the experience positive.