He doesnt mind walking on a lead in our yard and hes full of energy but once we step out the gate he just sits and wont move..is he too young to go for walks?...
2007-06-26 18:27:52 · 12 answers · asked by shaggster 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
No hes not too young, hes just like every other pup out there. At first they are inexperienced and a little fearful of the big wide world beyond the small comfortable areas they have known their whole lives. It takes some time and patience to get a young pup to walk on a leash at first. As soon as they realize its an enjoyable and stimulating experience they stop being hesitant. All you do is go to the dollar store buy a 20ft nylon lead and use that when you take your pup out next. Basically you are his comfort zone, when you get 20ft away from him give the lead a little tug and call him, he should come right away. Make sure to walk away purposefully and dont cajole him, or spend time coaxing him... walk to the end of the lead confident that he will follow you, call and tug and he should come. You have to show him by example what you want him to do and show by your attitude of fearless confidence that there is nothing to be afraid of when leaving the yard. A 20ft lead is just the perfect way to still have control over him and yet make him feel as though you are leaving and he has to follow. Once he sees you are leaving, and he is supposed to follow, he will start to get better at walking with you. Pretty soon you will have the opposite problem, he will be pulling you around on the leash!
2007-06-26 18:36:59 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't bother with walking at that age. He's a baby still. Just let him play. Get him used to a collar and leash around the house and play in it so it's not a shock to him when you finally do it though. But no, you don't need to walk him. Just take him outside and let him do his puppy thing. Getting him to go further, make it a 'fun-time' game. If it isn't play at this stage, he won't be interested. But - the odds are in your favour - you have a lab puppy so it's super easy to bribe him to do anything you want as well - they'll eat anything :) Oh - right - trainers call this 'rewarding'. I'm personally not into using food as a way of rewarding good behaviour, but like I said, at his age everything needs to be more fun than anything else.
Surf the net a bit and look up search terms like "puppy stages", "puppy development" and there are a number of good sites that can give you a 'what to expect'. Also, look up Labrador retrievers to find out more about breed specific tendencies. I had a lab, so I know that they're real mouthers and use their mouth like we do a hand and they're terrible thieves. Gosh - they're fun dogs!!!
There are a couple good books I highly recommend:
"The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete
"Good Dog!" by Deborah Wolf
"How to become your dog's best friend" by the Monks of new Skete.
"Dog Tricks" for dummies (really good book actually)
2007-06-26 19:03:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your puppy is far too young to take out yet. It is usually recommended that you wait until after he/she has had their second vaccination anyway. He should have one at 8 wks. old and then again at 10 wks. old. About 10 days after the last jab then you can take him outside but only for a few minutes at a time to get him used to the big wide world out there and let him socialise. Keep him on the lead at all times if you are on the road. Rule of thumb is 1 minute walk for every week of their life. e.g. 10 wks. old = 10 minutes. If you over exercise him he could end up with hip or joint problems.
Your best bet would be to enrol him in a puppy socialisation class. That way you will get plenty of help and advice on how to train your puppy to come back to you and help him to learn social skills..
Labradors are renowned for being scatty so do make sure you get him trained as soon as possible. In a couple of months he will be very strong and difficult to control.
Good luck with your pup.
2007-06-26 19:46:08 · answer #3 · answered by Fields of Gold 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He may be a bit young for a walk, but that doesn't mean you can't start training him. Look for puppy obedience classes to take with him. Petsmart and Petco (I think) and some cities through Parks and Recreation offer classes. I took my dog for an obedience class and she loved it. She liked seeing other dogs and getting treats for doing well.
BTW, it sounds like your pup is scared of the great big world. That will get better as he gets older and gets exposed to more new things. Good for you for being a responsible pet owner.
2007-06-26 19:26:23 · answer #4 · answered by sassy sarah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he is probably scared since you are outside of his gated in area. he is probably used to the gated area if he is out there a lot doing his buisness. give him time. also, if you just got him he could be scared because he is not with his mom anymore. when i got my yorkie at 8 years old she would just sit in the middle of the house not moving, but other time she would bounce around. if it doesn't get better in a couple weeks, talk to your vet.
2007-06-26 18:40:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if he is 8 weeks he is still very young to be taking for walks he is still a baby i would concentrate on just teaching him toilet things and playing with him , wait till he is a few more weeks older every thing at that size and age is super large to him he is frightened
2007-06-26 18:37:31 · answer #6 · answered by Sunny 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe, but it could just be that he is scared. Be patient with him and try to find ways to coax him to go out of the yard. Showing him that it's safe, and OK. Maybe it has something to do with how he was treated wherever he was before you got him.
2007-06-26 18:32:45 · answer #7 · answered by Ch33kS_x00x 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes.. Just wait until he is like 3-5 months,
2007-06-26 18:35:05 · answer #8 · answered by sarah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes the little guy needs to rest a lot , just let him play . the walking bit will come later ,
2007-06-26 18:32:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
whait till he gets a bit older take him on minny walks in your backyard
2007-06-26 20:04:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋