Issues with our daily walkings

[Shadow32]

We had our yorkie shadow for about a month now. He's about 17 weeks now. I take him on daily walks for about 30 minutes. But there are some issues that I try to correct.

1. He tends to pull on the lead every chance he gets.

2. I can't put him on the grass since he'll just lay there and eat it.

3. Anytime someone walks by he'll try to run to them, or gets really wild.

What are some good ways to correct these problems.

[kjc]

Hi and Welcome to YT!!!

1. He tends to pull on the lead every chance he gets.
Hopefully you are using a halter and a 4-6 foot leash. Gather the leash until he can only walk next to you. Sometimes this slows them down, and you will have more control with a shortened hold. Or you can stop until he stops pulling, and only progress forward when he's not pulling. Don't pull against him constantly, do a pull, release, pull, release. Praise him when he does what you want. Or you could turn and go the opposite direction each time he pulls. You may get dizzy, but eventually he'll catch on.

2. I can't put him on the grass since he'll just lay there and eat it.
It won't hurt him as long as you are sure the grass hasn't been treated with anything ie: pesticides or fertilizers. I wouldn't let him eat a lot of it at one time, but a little here and there should be okay. In a few days/weeks he will get used to it and won't want it as much.

3. Anytime someone walks by he'll try to run to them, or gets really wild.
If he's on a shortened leash, you should have more control. If the person is okay with meeting him, walk over to them and let him greet them. He's just trying to make new friends. Eventually he should calm down, because of your encouragement and he'll know that he gets to greet people. Good socializatiion skills are important.

What are some good ways to correct these problems.
Be consistant, and remember he's just a baby, with a whole new world to learn all about. Be patient, praise the good, ignore the bad. He'll catch on.
You can also try adjusting your pace. Sometimes walking faster can help keep their attention. Also, puppy classes are great for teaching them how to be around other people and dogs/puppies. Most importantly though is to praise him when he does good, so he'll know what you expect.

Best Wishes and Good Luck!

[Shadow32]

We use a harness, and a 4' nylon lead. I think i have to be more consistent. Every time he pulls I make him stop for a bit and then begin to walk. But it doesn't seem to work. Maybe it just needs time.

As for the grass. I live in an apartment. So I don't know what is put in the grass. The times that he did eat a quite a bit of grass he threw up, and there was chunks of grass in the vomit.

When people or dogs are coming our way, I make him sit, but that only works until the person is directly in front of us. Maybe I can try to distract him with some treats.

What would be the best way to socialize Shadow? We just started our Petsmart training class. Hope this would help with that.

[JoeyP]

He's just a new little guy
Everything is new and needs to be explored and eaten
They are like little toddlers
If it's there ..... then it goes into the mouth
Unfortunately the responsibility for what's good and what's bad falls on
your shoulders
as far as the grass
for now avoid it ... young pups can be very sensitives to chemicals
fertilizers and pesticides esp
later on when you're training him with the Leave It subject then you can
climb that hill
Him pulling
Do not let him lead you .... you have to lead him
and you do this by keeping the lead short and right by your side
where he is walking right Next to you not in front of you
and while you are walking with him in the correct way
talk to him and tell him Good Boy... Good Boy!
The getting excited when other people and other dogs are around
Of Course!
New things to be explored..... the possibilities!
You need to distract him
when you see a dog down the block you stop ... you block his line of sight
and have him look at you
you do this with a toy .... a treat or anything you know of that will grab his attention
and keep doing this until the distraction passes

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Shadow32

We use a harness, and a 4' nylon lead. I think i have to be more consistent. Every time he pulls I make him stop for a bit and then begin to walk. But it doesn't seem to work. Maybe it just needs time.

As for the grass. I live in an apartment. So I don't know what is put in the grass. The times that he did eat a quite a bit of grass he threw up, and there was chunks of grass in the vomit.

When people or dogs are coming our way, I make him sit, but that only works until the person is directly in front of us. Maybe I can try to distract him with some treats.

What would be the best way to socialize Shadow? We just started our Petsmart training class. Hope this would help with that.

Sounds like you're on the right track. And you said it: It just needs time! Also, all dogs are different. Don't interpret his failure to do something as your failure. Just be consistent, patient, and if one way doesn't work, try another. Enjoy his silliness while you can! They grow up fast! You could ask your apt manager about the grass treatments. Again, a little clean grass won't hurt. Or Kitty Grass you grow indoors! Repetition ...and don't expect perfection, but look for improvement... better today?.... and allow him to have a bad day now and then...

Originally Posted by JoeyP

He's just a new little guy
Everything is new and needs to be explored and eaten
They are like little toddlers
If it's there ..... then it goes into the mouth
Unfortunately the responsibility for what's good and what's bad falls on
your shoulders
as far as the grass
for now avoid it ... young pups can be very sensitives to chemicals
fertilizers and pesticides esp
later on when you're training him with the Leave It subject then you can
climb that hill
Him pulling
Do not let him lead you .... you have to lead him
and you do this by keeping the lead short and right by your side
where he is walking right Next to you not in front of you
and while you are walking with him in the correct way
talk to him and tell him Good Boy... Good Boy!
The getting excited when other people and other dogs are around
Of Course!
New things to be explored..... the possibilities!
You need to distract him
when you see a dog down the block you stop ... you block his line of sight
and have him look at you
you do this with a toy .... a treat or anything you know of that will grab his attention
and keep doing this until the distraction passes