Does it take a while for all yorkies with leashes? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Siara28 · 01-24-2007, 11:21 AM

Scruffy is scared of this "thing" on his back (harness w/ leash) and he tries the fastest way back to our door because he doesn't like the leash. He is just over 10 weeks, but I have been trying about 5-10 minutes every day and right now I am thinking he thinks it's more of a punishment, even though when he walk just 20 feet nicely he gets a treat.

Thanks for any leash advice.
Maybe is he too young?
Heidi

chachi · 01-24-2007, 11:29 AM

I think he is a little young yet. You can get him used to the leash by putting it on him and lletting him walk around pulling it. He is too young to be walked outside yet. You need to ask your vet when you can take him outside for walks. With My Vet it was after their 3rd set of shots but some vets dont want them anywhere but your yard untill they have had all their shots

MissiesMommy · 01-24-2007, 12:48 PM

Missie's 8 years old and still hates her harness (she only wears it when we go out of the house), so I imagine it's pretty normal. Have you tried different types of harnesses to see if maybe one is more comfortable for him? I've heard others here mention vest harnesses being better.

For now I would just do sessions with harness and leash inside (depending on what your vet says, like Chachi said). I would use desensitization techniques with the harness and leash off first, so he associates their presence with something positive rather than scary. Then put the harness on for short intervals throughout the day and give lots of praise (and a few treats) once it's on. After he's able to remain calm with the harness on I'd put it on every time before he eats so he associates it with good things and can focus on something else while it's on.

Then do the same with the leash. Pull it out often and praise him for sitting next to it or touching it. Lay it by his bowl while he eats. Once he's got that then clip it on and repeat what you did with his harness.

Time and patience will work wonders.

My other little dog, a Chi mix, loves his harness so much he can't contain himself when I open the drawer it's in! He associates the harness with walks and car rides, so he'll do everything he can to HELP me put it on. So that's what you're aiming for--a positive association to the harness and leash. Good luck!

Lexi Rae · 01-24-2007, 01:35 PM

lexi use to run under the bed when i wanted to take her for a walk and
we would have to drag her out.. now, she comes to us.. she knows..
believe me, he will get used to it in time, dont worry... he is just
scared right now.... everyday , put it on him for a little while... good luck

FirstYorkie · 01-25-2007, 12:28 AM

Sierra, try getting him used to one thing at the time. If he isn't used to the harness, start with that. Put it on right before you feed him. Make a fuss about how handsome he is. Play with him (if he will) while it's on. When you take it off, ignore him for a few minutes. You want him to get the association that "good things happen when I have this blasted thing on".

Once he's used to the harness, then repeat with the leash. When you start with the leash, let him drag it around. Don't put it on him and immediately restrict his freedom!

He's young yet. He'll get used to them. Don't worry.

Abby's Mom · 01-25-2007, 07:40 AM

Do you have another dog? If they see another dog, they want to follow and forget all about the leash.

lsforte · 01-25-2007, 07:10 PM

When we got our Yorkiepoo Kobe (now 16 weeks), he refused to walk on the leash, or wear his harness, or a sweater without a fight. But we kept working with him a little bit every day and now after about a 6 weeks, he's used to wearing the harness, leash and sweater.

Now he will every now and then reach up to grab the leash, but he enjoys going outside more!! I think it just takes time and patience.

-lsf

Gracie2006 · 01-25-2007, 07:42 PM

With Gracie, I started as soon as I got her at 8 weeks by putting a harness on her and leaving it on during the day when I could supervise. After she got used to the harness, I added the leash and let her drag that around. I think it was all of two days after that that she was walking on the leash. She still tugs and pulls if she is excited and wants to get to something or someone, but after I wear her out a bit she walks like a pro! Just go slow and make it fun!

Siara28 · 01-27-2007, 06:27 AM

Thanks for all the responses, they have all helped me a LOT!!!

Scruffy is now really used to the harness, and he is slowly getting used to the leash, thanks to all your advice!!
We did take ONE walk around the block, since there is snow around, we basically stayed on the side of the street (I live in a big cul-de-sac with very little traffic) so it was easy to keep him focused on the walk instead of sniffing etc...

Here is my new small dilemna (it's always something, isn't it??) He will not walk with me guiding the leash. He will let my daughter walk with him on the leash as long as I am in the lead. SO it's ME in the front, then Scruffy right behind me, then my daughter in the back with the leash. we are all in a straight line. If I have the leash he sits down and refuses to walk, but with my dd, he just cruises along like a trooper (as long as I am in front of him).

Thanks again for all the advice, and good luck with this second dilemna, is it common??

01-24-2007, 11:21 AM	#1
Siara28 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 151	Does it take a while for all yorkies with leashes? Scruffy is scared of this "thing" on his back (harness w/ leash) and he tries the fastest way back to our door because he doesn't like the leash. He is just over 10 weeks, but I have been trying about 5-10 minutes every day and right now I am thinking he thinks it's more of a punishment, even though when he walk just 20 feet nicely he gets a treat. Thanks for any leash advice. Maybe is he too young? Heidi

01-24-2007, 11:29 AM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I think he is a little young yet. You can get him used to the leash by putting it on him and lletting him walk around pulling it. He is too young to be walked outside yet. You need to ask your vet when you can take him outside for walks. With My Vet it was after their 3rd set of shots but some vets dont want them anywhere but your yard untill they have had all their shots __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

01-24-2007, 12:48 PM	#3
MissiesMommy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA Posts: 84	Missie's 8 years old and still hates her harness (she only wears it when we go out of the house), so I imagine it's pretty normal. Have you tried different types of harnesses to see if maybe one is more comfortable for him? I've heard others here mention vest harnesses being better. For now I would just do sessions with harness and leash inside (depending on what your vet says, like Chachi said). I would use desensitization techniques with the harness and leash off first, so he associates their presence with something positive rather than scary. Then put the harness on for short intervals throughout the day and give lots of praise (and a few treats) once it's on. After he's able to remain calm with the harness on I'd put it on every time before he eats so he associates it with good things and can focus on something else while it's on. Then do the same with the leash. Pull it out often and praise him for sitting next to it or touching it. Lay it by his bowl while he eats. Once he's got that then clip it on and repeat what you did with his harness. Time and patience will work wonders. My other little dog, a Chi mix, loves his harness so much he can't contain himself when I open the drawer it's in! He associates the harness with walks and car rides, so he'll do everything he can to HELP me put it on. So that's what you're aiming for--a positive association to the harness and leash. Good luck! __________________ Adopt a Yorkie~ Save a Life

01-24-2007, 01:35 PM	#4
Lexi Rae Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY Posts: 10,455	lexi use to run under the bed when i wanted to take her for a walk and we would have to drag her out.. now, she comes to us.. she knows.. believe me, he will get used to it in time, dont worry... he is just scared right now.... everyday , put it on him for a little while... good luck __________________ Gina & Lexi CLICK HERE for our Photo Album ...

01-25-2007, 12:28 AM	#5
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Sierra, try getting him used to one thing at the time. If he isn't used to the harness, start with that. Put it on right before you feed him. Make a fuss about how handsome he is. Play with him (if he will) while it's on. When you take it off, ignore him for a few minutes. You want him to get the association that "good things happen when I have this blasted thing on". Once he's used to the harness, then repeat with the leash. When you start with the leash, let him drag it around. Don't put it on him and immediately restrict his freedom! He's young yet. He'll get used to them. Don't worry. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-25-2007, 07:40 AM	#6
Abby's Mom Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MO Posts: 79	Do you have another dog? If they see another dog, they want to follow and forget all about the leash.

01-25-2007, 07:10 PM	#7
lsforte Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: laurel, md Posts: 17	When we got our Yorkiepoo Kobe (now 16 weeks), he refused to walk on the leash, or wear his harness, or a sweater without a fight. But we kept working with him a little bit every day and now after about a 6 weeks, he's used to wearing the harness, leash and sweater. Now he will every now and then reach up to grab the leash, but he enjoys going outside more!! I think it just takes time and patience. -lsf

01-25-2007, 07:42 PM	#8
Gracie2006 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sequim, Wa Posts: 4,541	With Gracie, I started as soon as I got her at 8 weeks by putting a harness on her and leaving it on during the day when I could supervise. After she got used to the harness, I added the leash and let her drag that around. I think it was all of two days after that that she was walking on the leash. She still tugs and pulls if she is excited and wants to get to something or someone, but after I wear her out a bit she walks like a pro! Just go slow and make it fun! __________________ Gracie loves Bailey. Holly loves Tucker. Proud member of the YT Gracie Girls.

01-27-2007, 06:27 AM	#9
Siara28 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 151	Thanks! Thanks for all the responses, they have all helped me a LOT!!! Scruffy is now really used to the harness, and he is slowly getting used to the leash, thanks to all your advice!! We did take ONE walk around the block, since there is snow around, we basically stayed on the side of the street (I live in a big cul-de-sac with very little traffic) so it was easy to keep him focused on the walk instead of sniffing etc... Here is my new small dilemna (it's always something, isn't it??) He will not walk with me guiding the leash. He will let my daughter walk with him on the leash as long as I am in the lead. SO it's ME in the front, then Scruffy right behind me, then my daughter in the back with the leash. we are all in a straight line. If I have the leash he sits down and refuses to walk, but with my dd, he just cruises along like a trooper (as long as I am in front of him). Thanks again for all the advice, and good luck with this second dilemna, is it common??