Should I start....

[Whiteboxerma]

lead training our twins?? They are 8 wks old, they are use to their collars but boy do they put up a fuss if we put the leads on them. Should we wait until they are a bit older??

 

[kljarvis]

We did, we started walking Hank on the leash at 4 mo's, now when we even get up to get it, he knows it's time for a walk. I'm sure everyone else will give you good advice on here, that is just my own preference. Hank is now 7 1/2 mo's old.

 

[Whiteboxerma]

Thanks... Bully never put up a fight like the Twins do. They won't even follow him if they have their leads on ( they normally follow him everywhere!!) I guess we will just have to keep trying.

 

[gmacleod]

Personally, I'd start leash training them straight away. There is no point in waiting That doesn't mean you've got to have them out and walking round the block though! LOL Just around the house and in the garden is more than adequate for teaching them about being on a leash.

The easiest way to start is just to put their leashes on, and let them get used to dragging them around. Then you can pick up the other end, and then start encouraging them to follow you.

There are some good ideas for puppy socialisation experiences at www.boxerworld.com/puppy/education and www.boxerworld.com/puppy/socialisation

 

[trucker1954]

Personally, I'd start leash training them straight away. There is no point in waiting That doesn't mean you've got to have them out and walking round the block though! LOL Just around the house and in the garden is more than adequate for teaching them about being on a leash.

The easiest way to start is just to put their leashes on, and let them get used to dragging them around. Then you can pick up the other end, and then start encouraging them to follow you.

There are some good ideas for puppy socialisation experiences at www.boxerworld.com/puppy/education and www.boxerworld.com/puppy/socialisation

I agree with early recognition of the lead training, but I would like to suggest that allowing a dog to wander with a "dropped lead" is not in the best interest of the dog.

I much prefer that a dog come to rest, either in sit or down when the lead is dropped. This can be very handy when unlocking a door to enter a building or vehicle, or when exiting one.

Training to do this can be accomplished by having a weight on the handgrip of the lead. Carry the weight until you want to "drop the lead". Then drop the lead and give the sit or down command. If the dog continues to walk, he or she will feel the weight the as the lead pulls taught. The drag will indicate to the dog that the lead is no longer loose, and should stop, and wait until the lead is loose again.

As an aside, I also prefer my dog to stop and sit when reaching a curb, then proceeding to enter a street in the heel position.

 

[Whiteboxerma]

Thanks for your replies, I will give it a go while they are in the house. however Cleo is a major drama queen at times... I have to try not to giggle when she does start throwing herself all over the floor!! LOL!!!