Lead training

CharliesServant · 01-05-2011, 07:39 AM

Charlie hates being on a lead. he also hates having a collar on. Weve started putting the collar on him everytime he goes into the garden so that he associates it with going out and good things rather than just an annoying thing on his neck but he still isnt happy with it. The lead is his pet hate though.

The moment we fasten the lead to his colar he will not move. You would literally have to drag him around to get him to move and thats just not going to happen. Any advice on how to get him to adjust better?

We want to get him out a bit more, go for walks, take him to the park, get him used to traffic and people and stuff. He is getting interaction with another dog already from the neighbour so thats good.

So... lead training advice please.

Erin251 · 01-05-2011, 08:36 AM

i think you should just leave the collar on him he will hate it for a little while but he will get used to it alot faster then if you take it off. as for the actual lead itself, maybe he would be more comfortable using a harness for his walks, so he doesnt have something tugging on his neck. i would still have him wear the colar anyway though, if only for his tags and even if he doesnt have any yet it would be harder to get him to like it when he is older. Bo actually hate having his colar off now, it must make him feel naked

. just keep working on it.

Doreen · 01-05-2011, 08:37 AM

It has been many many years since I've had an actual puppy!! so it is hard to remember. Just as long as you make it a positive experience, I'm thinking. Never negative. Have it on him even inside while playing with him with a stick or something that doesn't involve him leaving you far from the lead, just so he gets used to it being on him and not pulling.

Scooby · 01-05-2011, 08:41 AM

Oh I remember the first day I put a leash on Shenzi. She flipped out! She still hates collars to this day, always tries to scratch them off (though I keep them on her anyways).
To get her used to the leash, I just clipped it on, and let her drag it around the house/yard. I'd pick it up when she wasn't doing anything in particular and just kept it loose. Whenever it got tight, she would freak out, but after a couple days, she realized I wasn't going to give up on this leash concept, and now she gets excited when I bring the leash out as it means we're going on a walk

Just takes being persistent, I think, as with anything having to do with a puppy!

bruinsBoxers · 01-05-2011, 08:52 AM

What I do is to let them get used to the collar first .
Then I would attatch a light weight leash to the collar and let them drag it around ( in the house) . They will get used to the feel of having something attatched to the leash .
Then after they are used to the leash let them guide you around . Let them walk and you follow without putting any resistance on the leash .
Then when they are good with that I will put them on leash and guide them to walk / follow me by using a treat .

It will take some time but it will work .

Doreen · 01-05-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruinsBoxers

What I do is to let them get used to the collar first .
Then I would attatch a light weight leash to the collar and let them drag it around ( in the house) . They will get used to the feel of having something attatched to the leash .
Then after they are used to the leash let them guide you around . Let them walk and you follow without putting any resistance on the leash .
Then when they are good with that I will put them on leash and guide them to walk / follow me by using a treat .

It will take some time but it will work .

This is the idea I had in my mind, but it came out so much better the way you put it, LOL......

Ron · 01-05-2011, 10:13 AM

we found a harness worked really well for Newman. It instantly corrected his pulling. He still bites at the leash when he gets excited though

CharliesServant · 01-20-2011, 04:36 AM

Little update on this.

Charlie literally ate his colar so we had to replace it with the leather one we had for him. It just needed one hole put into it so it would fit him poperly. With this colar he doesnt moan at all he its on him constantly. maybe the other one irritated him where this one doesnt.

With the lead training things are also improving. We want to get him out to the park but hes scared of the traffic on the road so he gets put on the lead and taken to the edge of the estate to look at the cars. Hes brave until the trucks come past then he runs for home as fast as possible dragging dad along. Still its progress, no longer sits there and refuses to move. he actually enjoys it now.

Erin251 · 01-20-2011, 07:52 AM

good boy charlie! im glad he likes his new collar, its very possible that the other one irritated him. just keep it up, im sure he will be chasing those trucks in no time

Doreen · 01-20-2011, 05:54 PM

awwwww.....