I *tried* to take my pup (~8 months) on a walk this morning but it was like having a bratty child in a public place! She pulled so much I ended up with bruises on my hands, she jumped so much I had to re-change before work and she almost pulled my pants down (haha). I've tried stopping and turning away from her with my arms crossed to ignore her but then she bites the backs of my legs and arms. I've tried just stopping and saying NO but she only answers with loud sounds and more nips, which I take to mean "Don't YOU tell ME!" She also takes her leash in her mouth and thrashes it from side to side. I've gotten a harness but that doesn't seem to work much better. With spring/summer weather coming I want to be able to take her out for walks in the morning but if this gets any worse I don't think I'll have the physical strength to. I am very jealous of those dog owners who go out for walks with their pup trotting serenely beside them...
Pup + leash = mayhem!!
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RockyCody
Completely Boxer Crazy
This sounds silly - but has worked in the past with my fosters. When I get a dog out of the shelter and they are around 1 - or old enough that they are strong - they pull....bad. Most of the dogs are pit mixes so they are REALLY strong.
I just had a few who were obsessed with biting their leash. I gave them another leash to carry in their mouth while we walked, and they left the leash I had hooked to their harness alone.
I agree- an easy walk harness would be beneficial and then maybe if they still won't leave the leash alone give them their own. I've only had to give them a leash for like 2-3 walks and then they don't need it. Just something for them to "do" while walking. It gives them a job - to carry the other leash.
Just an idea...
I just had a few who were obsessed with biting their leash. I gave them another leash to carry in their mouth while we walked, and they left the leash I had hooked to their harness alone.
I agree- an easy walk harness would be beneficial and then maybe if they still won't leave the leash alone give them their own. I've only had to give them a leash for like 2-3 walks and then they don't need it. Just something for them to "do" while walking. It gives them a job - to carry the other leash.
Just an idea...
smudges mama
Boxer Pal
same boat
Hi there - I am pretty much in the same boat as you are - at least you seem to have a sense of humour about it (pulling your pants down comment)! I struggle with this as I am not seeing the funny side these days! I got some really helpful replies to my post (just a little ways down the list - "help with loose leash walking"). One of the people posted some links to some articles that have been really helpful and I have been following the training program in one of them. Step 1 is to get the puppy to follow you nicely around the house off-leash (for treats of course). Step 2 is to do the same in the backyard. Now I need to get to Step 3 which is to get her following with the leash on. I'll try to go find the link and then post it here for you.
I was taking my pup to a fenced-in off leash park to burn off some energy which helped but we can't go there right now because her contagious facial warts (ha! that sentence made me laugh for once!) are back.
Good luck and hang in there! I am encouraged by this forum as it makes me realize that I am not alone and that my pup is not insane - she's just a boxer puppy!
Hi there - I am pretty much in the same boat as you are - at least you seem to have a sense of humour about it (pulling your pants down comment)! I struggle with this as I am not seeing the funny side these days! I got some really helpful replies to my post (just a little ways down the list - "help with loose leash walking"). One of the people posted some links to some articles that have been really helpful and I have been following the training program in one of them. Step 1 is to get the puppy to follow you nicely around the house off-leash (for treats of course). Step 2 is to do the same in the backyard. Now I need to get to Step 3 which is to get her following with the leash on. I'll try to go find the link and then post it here for you.
I was taking my pup to a fenced-in off leash park to burn off some energy which helped but we can't go there right now because her contagious facial warts (ha! that sentence made me laugh for once!) are back.
Good luck and hang in there! I am encouraged by this forum as it makes me realize that I am not alone and that my pup is not insane - she's just a boxer puppy!
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