trying to leash train new pup

[spacevwbug79]

......Zeb bucks around like a bucking bronco trying to get the collar and lead off him......

Dixie does that too. She is a little over 4 months old. I put her on a lead to go out to the bathroom that is tied to the front porch for her to get used to it - hoping that it would get her used to the leash when needed. I orginally put her on it b/c the neighbors dogs run into the street and get hit (they have lost 2 dogs since I have lived there) and she loves to play with them but I am afraid that she will learn 'bad habits'. She still bucks like a bronco when I am going a direction that she does not want to go. She is okay if we are going the way that she wants to go. Any thoughts on how to correct this or is it just normal?

 

[ehayes21]

......Zeb bucks around like a bucking bronco trying to get the collar and lead off him......

Dixie does that too. She is a little over 4 months old. I put her on a lead to go out to the bathroom that is tied to the front porch for her to get used to it - hoping that it would get her used to the leash when needed. I orginally put her on it b/c the neighbors dogs run into the street and get hit (they have lost 2 dogs since I have lived there) and she loves to play with them but I am afraid that she will learn 'bad habits'. She still bucks like a bronco when I am going a direction that she does not want to go. She is okay if we are going the way that she wants to go. Any thoughts on how to correct this or is it just normal?

This worked with Rowdy when he wanted to go his "own" way. I carried treats with me and when he started to go the other way I would say "lets go, lets go!!!" in a really cheesy happy voice - which would get his attention, when he would start to come with me I would give him the treat him and PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE! Every couple of steps I would say "lets go!" and give him another treat. This teaches them that following you is fun and it's WAY better than dragging them! Make sure you use the same word every time. She'll get the hang of it.
Also, I had Rowdy leash trained at 10 weeks, my trainer instructed me to have him on a leash, attached to me anytime he was out of his crate. While this makes you move a TAD slower throughout the house, it gets them used to the leash with a quickness. For about 2 weeks I had Rowdy attached to my belt loop. You also slim down on those nasty little accidents with them being at your side.

 

[AlanaJ]

We have also been getting Baxter used to the leash (he is 10 weeks). At first he leaped and jumped around like a bronco but we didn't force the issue. We have taken him on a few walks off the leash and today my bf took him on the leash and he apparently just walked along next to him happy as larry. I know that its not always an option if you've got leash only rules but I think he liked his off leash walks and learnt to follow and now he does this with the leash attached. He loves going for walks but I'm not sure how many and for how long is ok for him? At the moment, its just one walk every few days for around 10-15 mins (off the leash) and a bit less on the leash. Oh I just want to gloat about our sitting and dropping training, he sits so well now and he is learning to drop too, at the moment he creeps forward for a treat but he keeps his bum on the ground. So cute. He really does seem to be a smart little puppy!

 

[Nina Burgers]

It might not just be the leash that makes her not want to walk but the surrounding could also be intimidating. Nina used to scared around traffic, garbage trucks, and other loud noises. I used to bend down and have her come to me (on leash still) and pet and comfort her.

Also, I know this is kind of wierd but when she was really little I would go for walks with her in my backpack and just her head and a paw sticking out. She really liked it. I think it made her feel safe and she got a birds eye view of the terrain before she had to walk it herself.

 

[Coopster2208]

Bauer does the bucking thing too! And he is 10 weeks. If I want him to come with me, he will stand his ground... but if Cooper is out, he will follow him everywhere!!
I had him on his leash going into Petsmart, well he decided he didn't want it on him anymore 1/2 way across the street and starting pulling back...

 

[Kobers]

Bring with you treats or a small toy that will fit into your pocket. Let your puppy know that you have it and must walk with you to earn it. I found that treats are great, because you can give them small pieces as they walk with you. It can also be a saver if stray dogs approach and you don't want them bothering you, you could throw the treats away from you! Best of luck with the leash training.

 

[BXRBESTFRIND]

Coopster
if your puppy likes to follow your other dog for walks you might wanna try leading both of them. With you staying in front dictating where you are going this will help establish you as the Alpha and help your puppy realize that you make the decisions in all aspects of his life. (thanks to dog whisperer for that Idea)

Hopefully this will transfer over to when you walk the puppy solo

 

[HennessyXo]

I couldn't get my Laila to go anywhere on a leash, until yesterday. She had too much energy and was getting a little agressive through the fence with the neighbor's beagle. I let her out of her kennel after a time out and she just sat by the window looking at everything and watching everything that went by. So I hooked her up to her leash and we went outside.
We went 1/2 block east of my house then a 1/2 block west before coming back home. I used lamb treats to keep her interested when she stopped and wanted to pull (I just have a plain collar atm). When we got back inside she just went back to the window, so we went on a 1/2-3/4 mile walk. She did very good until we got to a group of 10 kids and an older dog, it looked like a greyhound. She was too excited to be interested in me so after some petting from the kids I carried her for a little bit then went back to walking.
I had tried almost everything I had read her trying to get her to be good on a leash, but I suppose she just had to be ready. She's 10 weeks today btw.