Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy (9 weeks) won't walk on a Leash?

Question

I am at my wits end with the walking on the leash thing. I haven’t lost my temper with him, but I do everything…I act like a plain fool on the sidewalks…cheering, jumping up and down, waving toys or treats…when he doesn’t want to move, he won’t move. He has had plenty of opportunities to practice & learn as we have had him for a week and I take him out no less than 15 times a day to potty…I will give him gentle tugs on the leash and try to get him motivated, but he doesn’t care. It is incredibly frustrating. I know hound dogs are very sensitive, so I can’t lose my temper, get mad, or violently drag him…I feel like he doesn’t care about praise (being really happy and excited saying “good boy”) and he isn’t really motivated by food or treats. To me, this is very odd. I have tried the Iams biscuits and the Bil-Jac Liver Treats…he seems to enjoy the liver treats, but he won’t work for them while on the leash.

Answer 1

Change to a soft harness, so it removes the fear factor. ( I prefer the step-in type, you can get at Walmart) and have him wear it around the house, with leash attached, while being supervised, so he doesn't get caught on things. Give him tugs frequently, and offer the treats and praise if he even takes one step towards you..Take him about 30-50 yards away from home, put him down and he will be likely to walk much better heading back home...
Continuing in patience will really pay off, as TRUST is the most important issue between dog and master.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have only tried to walk your puppy on a leash while outside. Why haven't you tried walking your puppy up and down your hallway indoors where he is more comfortable?

He's only 9 weeks old and it's a big ole' world out there and it can be extremely scary if I had no idea what the heck it was all about. I'd plop my butt on the sidewalk too and refuse to budge! If you're really wanting to start leash training immediately, here's some tips that you can do.

For the love of pete, DON'T tug on that leash!!! If your puppy isn't going to move, then DON'T force it to!!! When your puppy freezes and refuses to move, sit down 3 feet or so away from the puppy. Eventually the puppy will come to you. When he does, gentle praise and a reward is given. Yes, you will look silly to the neighbors but it won't be anything worse then what you have been doing before.

Treats as a reward won't work if your puppy isn't hungry. Make sure your puppy's belly isn't full before you begin leash training. If the liver treats are his favorate, then make a short line of them on the ground and let the puppy walk himself down the line of treats, eating as he goes.

Also, check your puppy's feet. Make sure that there isn't a physical reason why the puppy won't walk like broken nails or torn pads. Something else you can try is to walk the puppy on a surface other then a sidewalk. The feeling of cement may be making puppy uncomfortable.

Make sure that you aren't carrying him anywhere! No puppy will ever see the purpose of leash training when he has you as a personal shuttle.

I would highly recommend attending a puppy class at your local dog club. The instructiors would be ready and able to help you with your new best friend. Your veternarian can give you a recommendiation. Also, you can contact the breeder you bought your dog from and ask for some tips and advice.

If all else fails, have your vet check out your puppy's eyes and ears for problems that bay be the cause of him being so unresponsive to you.

Answer 3

Leave the collar and leash on him all the time for a while.
By dragging it around the house, he gets used to the feel of it without any negative concequences. He will feel more comfortable about the whole thing if he gets used to it at home first.
After a day or two, still in the house, still on the leash, pick it up then put it down. Do this a few times a day, and praise him. Let him see you doing it, but don't make a big fuss.
Eventually you holding the leash will not be stressful or scary, and he will learn that you want him to walk around when you are holding the leash.
When he gets comfortable, lead him outside. Praise bravery, ignore fear.
Get a puppy weight leash. If you bought one thinking he will "grow into it" it might be to heavy for his little neck.
Ridgebacks are amazing dogs, but they need lots of training. Get a book or look into some classes.
Has he had shots? He shouldn't be leaving your yard until he's had all his puppy shots. You risk Parvo and other puppy killers.

Answer 4

I'm no dog trainer, but 9 wks. is still pretty young don't you think? He may be a pretty big dog right now, but that doesn't mean that he's ready for leash training. What does he do, in the yard, while he's OFF the leash. Does he run around in circles, different directions and toward people? If so, then he's still doing the puppy thing and has absolutely no interest walking down the street in a straight line,.. much less attached to a leash. It should be fine to go ahead an start working w/ him in the yard w/ a leash, but keep the sessions short and with enduring patience.

Answer 5

Haha...I have a Rhody too. They are extremely independent dogs with a mind of their own. A week isn't that long and a leash is a very weird thing to get used to if you think about it. Don't drag or scold him, but actually give him time to feel the whole thing out and become comfortable. Remember for the first year of a dog's life, everything is new and can take time getting used to. My Rhody is almost 2 years old and is great on the leash now. Be patient...you'll be loving every second with your Ridgeback in no time.

Answer 6

Congratulations on being gentle with him... but "plenty of opportunities" to learn? Please be patient. He's only 9 weeks old, and you've had him only a week. Do you keep a loose leash on him in the house? I would try that, so he gets used to the weird string he's attached to, and will associate it with "all the time" and not just on a walk.

I guess you're taking him with you lots of places to see all varieties of people and things? I would think that at least one of those exciting places or things would take his mind off the leash and send him scampering toward it... like maybe a pond or an ice cream stand. Good luck!

If you haven't already read it, get Brian Kilcommons' GOOD OWNERS, GREAT DOGS. Terrific book.

Answer 7

First off, puppies hate leashes...I have a 10 wk old shih-tzu/yorkie mix who hates it. Are you using a collar? Harness? Gentle Leader? Try using those things in conjunction with the leash/collar.

Also, before walking, get him used to the idea of having something around his neck. Put the leash/collar on and give him a treat. Take it on and off several times. Then leave it on for 5 min, treat, then 10 min, treat, etc. Then try taking him out for a 2 min walk, let him sit, relax, then treat again. Positive reinforcement is the key.

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

Please do not drag him. He is not just being stubborn and dragging him will only hurt him and make things worse. At 9 weeks he doesn't yet know how the leash walking works. You are going to have to teach him. The best advice I have is to put some peanut butter on a spoon and hold it out in front of him to slowly coax him along.

Answer 9

Sorry to say it, but a 9 week old puppy is not the most willing student. The best thing to do is to just go in the back yard and walk around with the puppy, wherever he goes. Once he matures, he will learn to do it. If you want to do alot of work go to a puppy training class, and professionals can help you.

Answer 10

try taking him to a basic puppy training thing for this you dont want to punish or lose your temper so youve been doing good in this area. also mabey walking him with anither dog would help too. youve also got to consifer this

1. youve only hafd him for one week he doesnt know you that well yet.
2.mabey hes scared of outside or even the leash.

try walking him inside a few times i know it sounds weird but it may get him used to the feel of using a leash. also try using a retractable leash this way he wont notice as much that hes on one. here ill leave you with a couple of websites that help you train your new puppy. Good luck on this and remeber every living creature needs time to lear even human babies, just give him time and relax dont jump up and down and act crazy act normal like its an everyday thing. by jumping up and down and acting all crazy its probably scaring him a bit or making him shy just take it slow and easy and allow him to walk were he wants at first on the leash of course. it will work out no stress nessasary. for any more help feel free to email me at [e-mail] im also including a list of good puppy treats and a list of foods that are toxic to dogs.

http://www.dog.com/information/basictraining.asp

http://www.dogtraininghq.com/

http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dtoxin.html

Good treats

pupperoni
scooby snacks
puppy bacon
pig ears
peanut butter flavor bones
kongs (promotes good chewing habits)
nylabones
pupcorn

basically chewy treats (best for praise)
chewing bone (helps save your furniture)
and etc

good toys

ropes
squeaky toys
tennis balls you can buy the regular tennis balls they work just as good
and of course sticks (great for fetch)

ok good luck again for more tips or info email me