Help! She tears up her back paws when she is on her leash! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

UmbeandYudi · 12-01-2009, 02:53 PM

My 3 1/2 year old Yorkie doesn't stop pulling on her leash, to the point that she tears her back paws. When she is with just me she takes her time and doesn't pull as much or sometimes not at all. When my boyfriend or his kids are around she gets so excited that she tries to run, but since she is on her leash she gets to the point where she is standing on her back paws jumping still trying to pull. After the first time this happened where she started to bleed I called a trainer. She came out and mentioned that when I walk her I need to stop and wait until the leash is loose. I've been doing that for the past 5 months now, but for some reason whenever the kids or someone else is with me she snaps and the pulling starts. It's as if she has a glazed look in her eyes and just goes to a place where she hast to get the kids. If the kids are on there bikes she starts again and on top of that starts to yelp, so loud that it sounds like I'm killing her. I just don't know what else to do. I put boots on her and they just fly right off. I want to be able to walk her with the kids and her paws to be fine. This past weekend she did it again and now she is limping everywhere and I had to put a cone on her to keep her from licking. I need some help!

Yorkiedaze · 12-01-2009, 03:21 PM

That is a new twist. I've never heard of this problem in my entire life! Don't you wish you could get Cesar out to help train her? Your trainer did mention stopping and waiting till the leash had slack, but I'm sure the minute you started again she would do it again. My only suggestion is either put her on a treadmill each day or try giving her 4 drops of Rescue Remedy about 45 minutes before the walk, and keep up with the stopping and starting. Sooner or later she has to give up I'd think. Also walk her at a park or somewhere with grass, and not on the asphalt till she's trained.

capt_noonie · 12-01-2009, 04:13 PM

Uni is the same, but 100% of the time when the lead is on. She hasn't made her paws bleed, but I think that's only b/c I have given up before she has. She has never once walked on a loose lead. but as soon as I take it off, she listens to me and looks at me for guidance.

I have tried, but can never get her to calm the freak down! Her bark is just so loud and piercing there's only so much I can take. If I make her stop and sit, she will just sit and bark and yelp at me. Then if I say quiet, she will just do it quieter, but not stop. Then once I say ok let's go, in a nanosecond she's at the end of the lead again. She will not even walk on a loose lead in the shop or home b/c as soon as she sees the harness or leash she thinks she is going outside, and will bark and complain until we do.

I know this is the absolute thing I am NOT supposed to do, but I've been thinking about getting those retractable leads. Maybe she will think she's not tethered down to me and walk like she does when it's off? I swear, all you out there that think Uni is well behaved and smart? You haven't met her in person yet! Ha! It's like she even forgets her name or something.

capt_noonie · 12-05-2009, 05:45 PM

Ok bumping this, b/c today,..... she pulled until one of her back toenails bled. It bled so much it looked like she dipped her foot an inch into a bucket of red paint.

Anyone else have any other suggestions?

LittleJade39 · 12-05-2009, 06:08 PM

I use a retractable leash for Gizmo bc he was doing the same thing. Its not AS bad but now he just has further to go and if you're not walking fast enough he starts to pull and hop like a little rabbit! He will also bite on the leash and pull it to make me go if I stop and he did that until it snapped right off one day and off he went! At least I was in front of my house so I went to my car and told him we were going for a ride so he ran back and jumped right in! Now I have to find a leash to attach to the retractable leash that he can't bite through!

Britster · 12-05-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleJade39

I use a retractable leash for Gizmo bc he was doing the same thing. Its not AS bad but now he just has further to go and if you're not walking fast enough he starts to pull and hop like a little rabbit! He will also bite on the leash and pull it to make me go if I stop and he did that until it snapped right off one day and off he went! At least I was in front of my house so I went to my car and told him we were going for a ride so he ran back and jumped right in! Now I have to find a leash to attach to the retractable leash that he can't bite through!

Honestly - I find the retractable leashes to be nothin' but trouble. The only time I use one is in my backyard for walking (we live on 3 acres, not fenced) so it gives him a bit more freedom when he's not loose. It's a nice thing to have but not for regular walking, or in stores, etc. I'll use it for him on a beach too. Generally speaking, they make things worse... it teaches them that pulling harder gives them more freedom.

I want to highly recommend a Premier Easy Walk harness (Chattiesmom also makes the Walk Nice harness here on YT) where the D-ring is on the front (chest) of the harness, and it kind of re-directs them back towards you and stop the pulling. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but I do think it's a worth a try. Jackson was never a terrible puller but he did pull... the first day he wore the Easy Walk, all pulling stopped right away. He's learned to always walk beside me even with a regular harness now. Of course, sometimes I give him some slack and let him sniff, etc, but he's very very calm on the leash most of the time and once in a blue moon will pull. Also, sometimes a harness (even though better for their necks) brings out the sled-dog in dogs and encourages them to pull more because of the position it's in (on their back). That's why I like the Premier one but you can find other training no-pull harnesses as well.

Besides the harness, just get a short (4 or 6 foot nylon leash) and keep it up real tight. Don't give them any room to walk in front of you while in training. Even if they're pulling, continue holding the leash as short as it can be to where he's walking right beside you. There's another game people can play with may make you look a bit ridiculous but when you have him on the leash... suddenly go left, then quickly turn right, then backwards, then forwards, then start running, just look like a total fool and act crazy and it should make him want to follow you... he'll be looking at you like, "what are you doing?!" It almost entices him to follow you in a way.

capt_noonie · 12-05-2009, 06:25 PM

*sigh* the front d ring harness didn't work on Uni. She just kept pulling and had the lead under her armpit and kind of leaned into that shoulder to pull more. We use a 6ft lead now. I also tried the act the fool method also to no avail. She doesn't care WHERE she goes, just as long as she goes SOMEWHERE IMMEDIATELY! Ugh.

zenzele · 12-05-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UmbeandYudi

My 3 1/2 year old Yorkie doesn't stop pulling on her leash, to the point that she tears her back paws. When she is with just me she takes her time and doesn't pull as much or sometimes not at all. When my boyfriend or his kids are around she gets so excited that she tries to run, but since she is on her leash she gets to the point where she is standing on her back paws jumping still trying to pull. After the first time this happened where she started to bleed I called a trainer. She came out and mentioned that when I walk her I need to stop and wait until the leash is loose. I've been doing that for the past 5 months now, but for some reason whenever the kids or someone else is with me she snaps and the pulling starts. It's as if she has a glazed look in her eyes and just goes to a place where she hast to get the kids. If the kids are on there bikes she starts again and on top of that starts to yelp, so loud that it sounds like I'm killing her. I just don't know what else to do. I put boots on her and they just fly right off. I want to be able to walk her with the kids and her paws to be fine. This past weekend she did it again and now she is limping everywhere and I had to put a cone on her to keep her from licking. I need some help!

I have a yorkie that's sometimes skittish around other people. I don't have problems with her walking on a leash, but sometimes she will pull away on the leash if approached by others (especially if they are hyper or noisy, which kids tend to be around cute dogs). My suggestion is that you don't walk her on the leash when you are walking with others, but maybe put her in a carrier when walking with others and let them give her treats periodically during the walk so that she can start associating them with a positive and then gradually work up to walking next to them. Let us know how it works out.

YorkieTherapy · 12-05-2009, 09:20 PM

Brister! I agree completely that regular harnesses and flexi leads increases a dog's compulsion to pull. I recommend captnoonie, stick with the easy walk harness and the 6 ft. leash. Add to that, instead of using treats try peanut butter on a long wooden spoon (so you don't have to bend with the smaller dogs.

) They say in training when learning heeling- lead the nose and you'll lead the dog.

capt_noonie · 12-06-2009, 02:24 PM

Uni is not that food motivated, and when the harness/leash comes out nothing will distract her. her favorite food (which I don't give a lot) is cheese, and even with that she will not pay any attention to it if she knows we are going for a walk. Even boiled chicken, egg white, cucumber, those are also high on the fave list. Yesterday at a meetup she did not even LOOK at the cucumber, but at home or work if she sees it she goes crazy!

mimimomo · 12-06-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Ok bumping this, b/c today,..... she pulled until one of her back toenails bled. It bled so much it looked like she dipped her foot an inch into a bucket of red paint.

Anyone else have any other suggestions?

I have the same problem w/Turbo. Whenever we go out for a walk, we come back w/his back midde two nails bleeding on both paws. We don't take him out anymore. I seriously need to take him to a training class...he thinks he's a sled dog.

capt_noonie · 12-06-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimimomo

I have the same problem w/Turbo. Whenever we go out for a walk, we come back w/his back midde two nails bleeding on both paws. We don't take him out anymore. I seriously need to take him to a training class...he thinks he's a sled dog.

LOL I guess his name suits him in more ways than one! It sucks b/c I think I don't take Uni out ENOUGH, that's why she is way too excited when we do. I'm looking into boots now. They will protect her feet and nails, but will they give her even more traction to pull?

I'm thinking about the Epiks boots.

Britster · 12-06-2009, 06:49 PM

For Uni, maybe you should get her into a totally calm state of mind before even putting the leash on her? I know, it probably sounds impossible right now, but if you have a free day to devote even 30 minutes-1 hour making a slow attempt to get that leash on her. Let her learn she's not going to go for a walk or get that leash on without being in a more calm state of mind. It will take up a lot of time and patience, but the first time is always the worst. Since in your case... the leash is more of a treat than food, maybe you can use the leash AS a treat. Get her relaxed and calm, and start putting the harness on, once she starts to get all excited again, take it off. When she gets back into that excitable state.. no leash/walk for her. I understand if she's gotta potty, that much time isn't gonna happen but when you know she doesn't NEED to go outside, you're just going for fun... I'd give it a shot. Maybe take her to a park, let her run around a lot or put her on a treadmill, anything to drain her energy...then come back inside and practice the putting on the harness/leash. Starting in a more tired state may help.

UmbeandYudi · 12-15-2009, 08:56 AM

I think its great that i'm not the only one that deals with this type of thing. its just so odd that when she is with me she is fine. doesn't pull and just takes her time. But once the kids are in sight the switch happens. I can have the kids walk right next to me and be calm but it doesn't change anything. she starts going nuts. I don't use a retractable leash because i feel that it just makes it worst! I think i need to get a doggy treadmill and have her on there so she is pooped by the time the walk happens.

12-01-2009, 02:53 PM	#1
UmbeandYudi Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 69	Help! She tears up her back paws when she is on her leash! My 3 1/2 year old Yorkie doesn't stop pulling on her leash, to the point that she tears her back paws. When she is with just me she takes her time and doesn't pull as much or sometimes not at all. When my boyfriend or his kids are around she gets so excited that she tries to run, but since she is on her leash she gets to the point where she is standing on her back paws jumping still trying to pull. After the first time this happened where she started to bleed I called a trainer. She came out and mentioned that when I walk her I need to stop and wait until the leash is loose. I've been doing that for the past 5 months now, but for some reason whenever the kids or someone else is with me she snaps and the pulling starts. It's as if she has a glazed look in her eyes and just goes to a place where she hast to get the kids. If the kids are on there bikes she starts again and on top of that starts to yelp, so loud that it sounds like I'm killing her. I just don't know what else to do. I put boots on her and they just fly right off. I want to be able to walk her with the kids and her paws to be fine. This past weekend she did it again and now she is limping everywhere and I had to put a cone on her to keep her from licking. I need some help!

12-01-2009, 03:21 PM	#2
Yorkiedaze My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca. Posts: 12,228	That is a new twist. I've never heard of this problem in my entire life! Don't you wish you could get Cesar out to help train her? Your trainer did mention stopping and waiting till the leash had slack, but I'm sure the minute you started again she would do it again. My only suggestion is either put her on a treadmill each day or try giving her 4 drops of Rescue Remedy about 45 minutes before the walk, and keep up with the stopping and starting. Sooner or later she has to give up I'd think. Also walk her at a park or somewhere with grass, and not on the asphalt till she's trained. __________________ AZRAEL RAZAEL JILLI ANN

12-01-2009, 04:13 PM	#3
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Uni is the same, but 100% of the time when the lead is on. She hasn't made her paws bleed, but I think that's only b/c I have given up before she has. She has never once walked on a loose lead. but as soon as I take it off, she listens to me and looks at me for guidance. I have tried, but can never get her to calm the freak down! Her bark is just so loud and piercing there's only so much I can take. If I make her stop and sit, she will just sit and bark and yelp at me. Then if I say quiet, she will just do it quieter, but not stop. Then once I say ok let's go, in a nanosecond she's at the end of the lead again. She will not even walk on a loose lead in the shop or home b/c as soon as she sees the harness or leash she thinks she is going outside, and will bark and complain until we do. I know this is the absolute thing I am NOT supposed to do, but I've been thinking about getting those retractable leads. Maybe she will think she's not tethered down to me and walk like she does when it's off? I swear, all you out there that think Uni is well behaved and smart? You haven't met her in person yet! Ha! It's like she even forgets her name or something. __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

12-05-2009, 05:45 PM	#4
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Ok bumping this, b/c today,..... she pulled until one of her back toenails bled. It bled so much it looked like she dipped her foot an inch into a bucket of red paint. Anyone else have any other suggestions? __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

12-05-2009, 06:08 PM	#5
LittleJade39 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hamlin, NY Posts: 664	I use a retractable leash for Gizmo bc he was doing the same thing. Its not AS bad but now he just has further to go and if you're not walking fast enough he starts to pull and hop like a little rabbit! He will also bite on the leash and pull it to make me go if I stop and he did that until it snapped right off one day and off he went! At least I was in front of my house so I went to my car and told him we were going for a ride so he ran back and jumped right in! Now I have to find a leash to attach to the retractable leash that he can't bite through! __________________ Mom to Gizmo Dexter and Jetta

12-05-2009, 06:25 PM	#7
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	sigh the front d ring harness didn't work on Uni. She just kept pulling and had the lead under her armpit and kind of leaned into that shoulder to pull more. We use a 6ft lead now. I also tried the act the fool method also to no avail. She doesn't care WHERE she goes, just as long as she goes SOMEWHERE IMMEDIATELY! Ugh. __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

12-05-2009, 09:20 PM	#9
YorkieTherapy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 499	Brister! I agree completely that regular harnesses and flexi leads increases a dog's compulsion to pull. I recommend captnoonie, stick with the easy walk harness and the 6 ft. leash. Add to that, instead of using treats try peanut butter on a long wooden spoon (so you don't have to bend with the smaller dogs. ) They say in training when learning heeling- lead the nose and you'll lead the dog. __________________ "What I do is wag my tail and lick your face until you feel better!" Guinness and Penny:

12-06-2009, 02:24 PM	#10
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Uni is not that food motivated, and when the harness/leash comes out nothing will distract her. her favorite food (which I don't give a lot) is cheese, and even with that she will not pay any attention to it if she knows we are going for a walk. Even boiled chicken, egg white, cucumber, those are also high on the fave list. Yesterday at a meetup she did not even LOOK at the cucumber, but at home or work if she sees it she goes crazy! __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

12-06-2009, 06:49 PM	#13
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	For Uni, maybe you should get her into a totally calm state of mind before even putting the leash on her? I know, it probably sounds impossible right now, but if you have a free day to devote even 30 minutes-1 hour making a slow attempt to get that leash on her. Let her learn she's not going to go for a walk or get that leash on without being in a more calm state of mind. It will take up a lot of time and patience, but the first time is always the worst. Since in your case... the leash is more of a treat than food, maybe you can use the leash AS a treat. Get her relaxed and calm, and start putting the harness on, once she starts to get all excited again, take it off. When she gets back into that excitable state.. no leash/walk for her. I understand if she's gotta potty, that much time isn't gonna happen but when you know she doesn't NEED to go outside, you're just going for fun... I'd give it a shot. Maybe take her to a park, let her run around a lot or put her on a treadmill, anything to drain her energy...then come back inside and practice the putting on the harness/leash. Starting in a more tired state may help. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

12-15-2009, 08:56 AM	#14
UmbeandYudi Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 69	I think its great that i'm not the only one that deals with this type of thing. its just so odd that when she is with me she is fine. doesn't pull and just takes her time. But once the kids are in sight the switch happens. I can have the kids walk right next to me and be calm but it doesn't change anything. she starts going nuts. I don't use a retractable leash because i feel that it just makes it worst! I think i need to get a doggy treadmill and have her on there so she is pooped by the time the walk happens.