All of the leash threads are about pulling (that I saw). I'm having the opposite problem. My 12 week old doesn't seem to want to go outside or go for short (to the end of the block and back) walks. Any advice? Does this come with age? He has occaisionally walked and seemed to enjoy it, but more often I do the "puppy drag" a few feet and give up!
Opposite problem with leash
- Thread starter kflanaga
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Scrapper's Mom
Boxer Insane
At 12 weeks of age your pup is too young to go on walks. You can do a search on here and will find there are several threads regarding the detrimental effects of "forced" exercise on young dogs' growth. He will get all the exercise he needs playing in the yard with you. If you want to work on leash manners and heeling, in the yard a little, that would probably be fine, (you can use treats to get them to follow along at the right place by your left knee) but don't plan to be taking your little pup out for walks for a long time unless you are carrying him. I know it's tempting to take him out so everyone can see how cute he is, but it's better health-wise to wait.
Boxer_21
Boxer Insane
I'm sure you've probably already read this, but at 12 weeks old, your pup is to young to be going for long walks. When Riley was that age, we basically did short (and I do mean short) strolls up and down our street at HIS pace (my pace would be no more than 10 minutes). If he wanted to stop to sniff something for 10 minutes, that's what we did. I didn't pull him because I wanted him to have fun just thinking and exploring new sights and smells.
To get him used to walking on the leash, I first let him walk around the yard with the leash dragging behind him. Of course, I supervised him because I didn't want him to get caught on anything. Once he was comfortable with this, I picked up the leash and again let him go and I simply followed.
Eventually we got to the point where he had to learn how to walk normally. For that, I used some treats to bribe him. Every few steps forwards he was rewarded with a treat. Being a smart boxer, it didn't take him long to catch on that.
Just keep working with your pup on short walks (I personally would not go any longer than 10 minutes at this age) and keep it fun and rewarding (to your pup). Don't drag him because I highly doubt that would be his idea for fun. Be sure to have plenty of yummy treats on hand as well, it'll help. Good luck!!
To get him used to walking on the leash, I first let him walk around the yard with the leash dragging behind him. Of course, I supervised him because I didn't want him to get caught on anything. Once he was comfortable with this, I picked up the leash and again let him go and I simply followed.
Eventually we got to the point where he had to learn how to walk normally. For that, I used some treats to bribe him. Every few steps forwards he was rewarded with a treat. Being a smart boxer, it didn't take him long to catch on that.
Just keep working with your pup on short walks (I personally would not go any longer than 10 minutes at this age) and keep it fun and rewarding (to your pup). Don't drag him because I highly doubt that would be his idea for fun. Be sure to have plenty of yummy treats on hand as well, it'll help. Good luck!!
bustermom
Boxer Insane
It's just too new for him. Let him drag the leash around (supervised) to get used to this thing hanging off him and lure him around with treats.
Just let him drag the leash on the ground while you hold a treat down by your knee and lead him around "by the nose", so to speak. :D
Pups can get scared/rebellious when this strange force pulls on their collars (for all they know this tentacle dropped out of the sky and is trying to drag them into some monster's gaping maw), so as soon as he plants his front feet and won't move, squat down, lure him over a few steps with a treat, and give him lots of praise.
Treats and patience - in no time at all you'll be doing searches for "pulls on leash"... :D (Although, this is of course the perfect opportunity to master loose leash walking...get him walking by your side following a treat (with the leash dragging) and keep increasing the distances covered, add a command like "heel" and soon the leash will be just for "appearance's sake" and to keep him from bolting if he gets surprised.)
Just let him drag the leash on the ground while you hold a treat down by your knee and lead him around "by the nose", so to speak. :D
Pups can get scared/rebellious when this strange force pulls on their collars (for all they know this tentacle dropped out of the sky and is trying to drag them into some monster's gaping maw), so as soon as he plants his front feet and won't move, squat down, lure him over a few steps with a treat, and give him lots of praise.
Treats and patience - in no time at all you'll be doing searches for "pulls on leash"... :D (Although, this is of course the perfect opportunity to master loose leash walking...get him walking by your side following a treat (with the leash dragging) and keep increasing the distances covered, add a command like "heel" and soon the leash will be just for "appearance's sake" and to keep him from bolting if he gets surprised.)
Brookelynn
Boxer Pal
kflanaga - I feel your pain!! My 10 week year old Fletcher also refuses to walk 100 yards outside. I carry him out, he goes pee and then makes a B-line back to the apartment before we can try to coax number 2 with a little walk halfway down the block. I understand the other members posts, but in NYC, you have to walk em a little....at least to get them to go, and letting him drag the leash is impossible given the environment.
I have found the treats help....a little, but would love to hear if you have found something that works as well. I have to believe that the warmer weather will help as well.
I have found the treats help....a little, but would love to hear if you have found something that works as well. I have to believe that the warmer weather will help as well.
conn
Super Boxer
Do not worry. As everyone said he is still young. Our pup who we got at about 14weeks had never even seen a leash or a collar for that matter. We got him used to the collar first and then attempted the leash..ha ha ha I can't help but laugh...you should have seen it...he just sat there and looked up at my husband and I like what?? we tried treats to no avail. really what worked for us was letting him drag the leash around for a little everyday until it wasn't such a big deal for him, we did this inside the house so even NYC you should be ok. He is five months now and walks really well on the leash so don't give up hope it will just take a little work
Oh, we still have to carry him out the doorway sometimes...it is really strange but he seems to be scared to cross the threshold to get to the outside sometimes but we are working on it!! good luck!
Oh, we still have to carry him out the doorway sometimes...it is really strange but he seems to be scared to cross the threshold to get to the outside sometimes but we are working on it!! good luck!
Treats don't do a lot for Simon. He'll be trucking along the sidewalk happy as can be for about fifty yards, and then just decide, "Nope. I'm sitting now." It helped a little today when I took him to the dog park for the first time. Now he sees there is fun stuff outside.
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