frustrated with walks

[bea'smum]

Bea and I are having a really difficult time on our walks together. I really love her, and I know she's still a pup (almost 6 mos) and still learning, so I am trying to be patient but I also really wish that our walks could be more enjoyable for both of us. Things usually start out fine, she is a little excited so she doesn't exactly heel, but she also doesn't pull my arm off. After we've been walking for about 10 minutes or so, though, she starts acting crazy! She starts jumping up on me, biting the leash, tugging it, sometimes she lays on the ground, it's as though she is saying "I don't want to do this anymore". I usually get a treat out of my pocket and do some of the loose-leash walking exercise that we learned in puppy kindergarten (walking with treat in hand on as a lure and praising as she walks beautifully alongside of me). But as soon as I finally give her the treat, she starts her craziness again. I'm not looking for perfection. I am not looking for perfection from her - I don't care if she heels all the time or pulls a bit now and then, but this is more than that and I wonder what more I could be doing.

I've also been wondering if she is cold outside. Temperatures around here have been in the low 40s...I have started bundling up more - should I get her a sweater?

 

[Jan]

A sweater certainly wouldn't hurt. Maybe after 10 minutes she is getting cold and start acting silly to warm up.

 

[lillys7]

guinness does the same, he is 6 months... I just got a harness for him, he doesn't quite have the hang of it yet...and I'm not saying he is perfect on walks but it has helped...

 

[Anna Begins]

Luka is 4 months and nearly chokes himself in the first few minutes of our walks. It's horrible. His tounge sticks out, he chokes, coughs... we have puppy school coming up in Jan. and I try to work on it (stopping when he pulls, saying "No pulling"- I say that because he knows "No" really well) but nothing seems to help. It is particularly bad when I come home for lunch- he is just so wound up he can't control himself. :(
I think I see a Gentle Leader in our future... perhaps under the Christmas Tree...

 

[Grimmja]

i just want to say i think i know exactley what you're talking about. there are times, and i can predict exactley when they'll happen, when riley just starts wiggling adn biting the leash. i've figured it out that what he's saying is "time to play right?!!!" i find this happens if i've recently been on a spell of going off leash and playing fetch at the exact same spot each walk, and same time...then he does this to ask for that. i just tell him a firm "no," and "stop it" and he usually quits very quickly. i also usually make a note that he needs some more exericise, so AFTER he stops begging, and if there's time, we'll then do what he wants: off leash running and chasing balls!

 

[bea'smum]

thank you

Thank you all for your advice. I also spoke with a friend of mine who is a trainer yesterday. She said that Bea is basically a pre-teen and that some of this "crazy behavior" is to be expected at her age. She also felt she is trying to tell me that she wants off leash. Since I don't really have a safe place to let her off leash on our walks, she suggested that I try a few shorter walks instead of a longer one so that maybe I can avoid the behavior and reinforce the good part of our walk. She also felt that the method I was taught in puppy kindergarten for heeling (using a treat as a lure and giving lots of praise) was a good technique. So, I guess I'll try these things along with the suggestions you have made and see how it goes. Thanks again!

 

[Angie K]

I would suggest a short lead. Maybe one with the second handle at the collar area. Hold that and they have to stay next to you. I would also suggest watching The Dog Whisperer on the National Geographics Channel. Check it out on the web for your area listing. This guy basis alot on how you walk the dog. He is great and alot of people on his show have the very problem you are talking about. Alot of it is getting through to the dog that you are taking them for a walk not them taking you. Also alot of being the true alpha position in the pack. Check it out. You'll love it. He is just amazing.

 

[tasillo]

Nina is only 16 weeks but i had a couple of days dealing with the same issues ...of pulling.
I resorted to getting a harness...and used it for one day...and returned it.
After doing a great deal of reading how to nip this issue in the butt....i knew that the answer lies in ME.....no treats..as i dont want her to rely on reward..just LOTS OF PRAISE
I am teaching Nina what IS and what is NOt acceptable behaviour.....kinda the same thing as with kids(and i have 3 aged 7..5...nd 3)
Anyways what i did and it took 2 days of doing this....is whenever she pulled i STOPPED DEAD in my tracks until she sat beside me and was looking at me...then i would proceed to walk again....we did this at least 50 to 100 times each time we went for a walk....This tought her that if she pulled ...we went NOWHERE!!!and in 2 days she was a changed dog
No special leash or harness needed....I LOVE taking her for walks now...there is a free leash loop between us...Nina now pays attention to how fast or slow i walk and is right by my side....dont get me wrong ...when she sees a child on the street...she is ready to pull...and what i do...is tell her Nina i know you want to hug but SIT and STAY...and we wait till the child passes by...this keeps Nina calm and prevents her from jumping and licking the kids( as not every child is prepared for that)LOL

 

[Anna Begins]

Anyways what i did and it took 2 days of doing this....is whenever she pulled i STOPPED DEAD in my tracks until she sat beside me and was looking at me...then i would proceed to walk again....we did this at least 50 to 100 times each time we went for a walk....This tought her that if she pulled ...we went NOWHERE!!!and in 2 days she was a changed dog

I can totally second what you are saying. As I said above, I started doing this with Luka (Same age as Nina). Yesterday was the last straw as he gagged himself and his tounge stuck way out.
Anyway, I started this yesterday on every walk we went on and today on our noon walk, he did much better. He seemed to understand "No Pulling" and knew when I stopped walking that he was pulling. I hope I'm not just being optimistic and he really is getting it :D

 

[tasillo]

My personal view on any behaviour issues with a dog are...that we are there to teach them what is acceptable...YES it does take some time and work to get them to undertand what we want them to do....but i dont belive in any special leashes or harnesses....or even treats for thet matter.
I did do treats for RIGHT behaviour initially ...and then i realized she was EXPECTING them.....so now i just reward her with kisses and BIG hugs...as well as ...YOU ARE A GOOD GIRL NINA!!!!
Onlookers must think i am nuts....but at only 16 weeks Nina is amazing us everyday...her behaviour is excellent....she is a true joy in our home!!