I need advise in how to use a leash

[Marie]

We havent take Gucci outside on a leash as of yet. First because she was on treatment for the ringworm and the vet told us to keep her inside. Also she uses the pee pads so i dont need to take her outside. The times we took her outside to go to the vet etc she was inside her carrier. Anyway, the vet gave us the clear to start taking her outside but now Gucci refuses to use the leash. I have try offering treats but she will not move and she starts barking at the leash. Also I used the leash with the harness and she pull on the harness until she took it off. Probably I put it too loose. I want to start taking her for walks when the weather start gettign warmer so I will appreciate any advise.

[amy hori]

Before I took little Paris outside I put her leash on in the house and walk around. For ten or fifteen min at a time. And then I would walk out of the house little by little and she got use to it. It took me long enough to get her to wear her collar but this really worked for me. I hope this is helpfull.

[Marie]

Thank you for the advise. Well i have to try to practice using the leash inside the apt b ut as long she has the leash on she wont move or even stand up. I even tryoffering a treat but she wont stand up if she has the leash on. She evens barks and bites the leash. I just wish I can afford puppy classes but at the moment is not an option.

[Carters Mom]

Carter refused to walk out of our grass or across the ditch in our yards. Concrete walking was out of the question!

When we went to the trainer, I couldn't believe that we were able to get him to "heel" with me walking down her sidewalk. I held his leash in my left hand giving him the "heel" command while she tempted him with a small cutup piece of hotdog. He's much, much improved.

Attempt to get your pup to walk with the aid of a 2nd person. It may help.

[yorkipower]

People are surprised to learn that many dogs will not simply take to walking on a leash, their first time out. Here are some tips to help you on your way!
1) The suggestion of wearing the leash around the house is an absolute MUST for a puppy. Think of it this way, everything is new to a puppy. Even the weight and the “newness” of having something around your pup’s neck is something she needs to get used to. I’d take the lightest, thinnest leash and collar I could find (I use a show lead) and let my dog wear that around the house (just let it hang from her neck, don’t hold it or put any pressure on it at first). Do this only when she is suprivsed. You don’t want her getting hurt and associated the leash with a bad experience. Make putting the leash on her a big game. I give my dogs tons of cheese and hotdogs the first time they wear a leash and then give them a piece of cheese each time I put the leash on. I’d also put the leash on when I take them out, even if they are going to be in a carrier (this only applies if your dog enjoys trips and going out) so that they begin to associate the leash with trips and time spent with mommy.
2) When your puppy begins to accept the leash, you can begin holding the tip, very gently, with as little or no pressure as possible. Don’t try to get her to walk with you at this point. She let her get used to it being around her neck and being connected to you. At this point, you’re going to let her walk you.
3) I put up a long post a few months ago regarding training with a target stick. If you must work alone, this is a great method for training a dog to walk with you. Once she is used to the feeling of the leash, she will begin to ignore it. You can then “bridge” your training by combining holding the leash with asking her to touch the target stick. She will be so focused on trying to touch her nose to the target stick to get that “click” or “praise” that means food, toys, and goodies, are coming that she will forget all about the leash and move forward, towards the stick you are holding in front of her nose (please refer back to my post about target sticks for more info on this).
4) Once you have her leaning forward in an attempt to touch the stick, you can then begin to take a few steps at a time, challenging her to walk forward, along side you.
5) She will quickly catch on at this point to the whole concept of the leash. Once she is doing this reliably in the house, you can then transfer the whole shebang outdoors.

[lickthestar]

walking on a leash is tricky when it's for the first time. I took archie out right away after we first got him, and he was a little nervous about what to do. After a while he started running everywhere but now, I keep him on a short leash and he follows me along although he does try to go after birds and squirrels. My advice is to try and walk your dog up and down the block at first just to get used to the smells, etc.

[Marie]

Yorkiepower and everyone, Thank you so much for all the advise. I will defenitely will try living the leash on in the apt. and the target stick. I will post my progress. Thank you all. I love this side cause everyone is so helpful.

[yorkipower]

Very welcome! Good luck!