I have an 11 week GSD pup, that's just started to go for walks on a leash now that he's fully innoculated. Thing is, he doesn't like it. He's always lagging behind and whimpers every now and again. Sometimes he sits and just won't move at all. And will only do so with much coaxing with a treat. Is my pup abnormal? I expected him to be pulling on the leash. Not me having to slow down to he can keep up with me.
The only time he does speed up and start pulling is when he see's home.
Thanks for any advice in advance.
2007-02-28 14:53:51 · 5 answers · asked by Beefy 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Your pups behavior is normal so don't worry.
Put the leash on him and let him drag it around the house several times a day.Don't leave it on him for long tho.
I usually start them out by tossing the leash in the floor next to me when I'm playing with the pup.I get the pup interested in playing with a toy and put the leash on him for a few minutes.They usually sit down and look at me in confusion as soon as they realize it's attached to them.Then I coax the pup to focus his attention on something other than the leash.A toy or treat and after I succeed in doing so I make the pup follow me dragging the leash to get the treat or toy.It takes several tries daily for a few days for the pup to realize the leash is no threat.Then we start walking on leash in the house using the toy or treat reward and making a game of the leash being on.Within a week he's ready to go outside and walk in the yard usually.
I had no idea gsds were so intelligent and found that what would have taken a week with any other dog I've trained only took 2 days with our first gsd.
We got him when he was 12 weeks old and by 13 weeks he was climbing all over me when he saw the leash in my hand.He'd get so excited he'd pee.Be ready for that.
The first few walks out of the yard you'll probably find easier if you carry treats with you.It's a great big world and your pup will be easily intimidated by a mailbox,litter,a stick laying on the ground,large rocks.Basically anything that moves no matter how slight.Let him check these things out rather than force him to walk past so he can see there's no threat.And don't try to go too far from home at first.
2007-03-01 00:35:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not abnormal in my personal opinion. I got my German Shepherd when she was 10 weeks old. About two days later I decided to try walking her on a leash for the first time and basically got the same response from her, we got about six or so houses down from ours and she was just DONE lol.
What i did was take her out into the back yard and walk around while she was following me, keeping the leash in very obvious sight the entire time. The whole time I was talking to her and playing with her and a ball or something of that sort so that being out and "walking" seemed like fun. I did this a couple of days then took her to a nearby school yard and did the exact same thing for a few days in a row.
After a few days of this she did not seem to be apprehensive of being around the leash anymore so I leashed her and just walked her to the end of my street and back home, eventually making our walks a bit longer slowly with time.
As with all things related to puppies, be patiet, and when you are running out of patience, be patient some more :) Do things such as play or use small bits of treats to reinforce your desired behavior. ANd most of all have fun! German SHepherds are absolutely wonderful dogs as they age, and will add a great companion to your life.
2007-02-28 17:03:56 · answer #2 · answered by Paul S 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Could try a harness. Maybe he isn't comfortable with the collar around his neck. Do you have another dog you could also walk with him? The other dog could lead by example.
You say he speeds up when he sees home. He could just be uncomfortable with the route you are taking. It may take some time for him to get used to it.
2007-02-28 22:02:25 · answer #3 · answered by Tiffany 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-02-16 08:45:30 · answer #4 · answered by Christopher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do no longer stress him into the cage, supply him something to charm to him into it, like a manage a toy or nutrition, get him thinking the cage is a marvelous element, bypass away the door open the 1st few circumstances he is going in to instruct him it fairly is not a catch, then slowly close the door for longer and longer classes of time, by skill of doing this your letting him slowly adjust to the cage without scaring him.
2016-09-30 01:11:38 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋