Puppy won't walk with harness
 

I bought a harness for my Leilah (she's Ten weeks) and was so excited about all the new things she would see on her first walk. Last week, I put it on her for a little while so she would get use to having it on. I did this a few times during the week and then one day took her outside with it. The moment her paws touched the ground she dug in, so i let her just sniff around with the leash on her but didn't make her walk. A day passed and I tried to take her out again and this time she was a little more into it but as soon as I started taking the lead she dug in and basically was being dragged not walked. I had my daughter bring out my Golden Ret. who is the best darn walker on a lead you could ever meet and she was very into walking with him but still a bit stubborn about taking my lead. She wanted to walk right under him but this is too dangerous so we ended that session with at least a little progress. So today is a beautiful day out and I decide to take her out so she can watch the kids play and stuff and she was stubborn at first but her curiosity won out and she was walking here and there very interested in everything going on......but as soon as I took the lead she dug her paws in and would not budge without being dragged. I noticed that going in one particular direction, away from the house, she was worse!! Once we began walking back toward the house she picked up and walked without resistance. Sorry this is long BTW, I just have never seen a puppy that did not want to walk. (Only on TV) It's usually the opposite and you have issues with pulling!! She's not food motivated or play either so I am at a loss on how to entice her. As the weather gets warmer we will be taking our Golden out at least 2 times a day for walks and I would love for her to come with us.

Any Suggestions or advice?

Keep at it, a little at a time, and your pup will eventually get it. Maximo was about 14 weeks when I started him and he did the same thing. Every surface -- grass, concrete, brick, pavement -- required coaxing. Then he wanted to walk in between my feet.

A note of caution -- check in the health section for info on vaccinations and whether or not it is really safe for your dog to be out at that age. I was advised that I started way too early.

First of all.....that face!!! Maximo is gorge! lol. But really?? She is up to date on her shots and she will start puppy classes next week. We observed a class and all the pups her age walked in on leashes. They start classes at ten weeks but she'll be 12 so that she can have her second set of vacc before hand. I will definitely ask my vet what he thinks. THANKS

I just started with the leash walking in the house first until she got use to it and then once it was warm enough she went outside and the first few times it was all new to her but she is getting the hang of it. 10 weeks seems a lil young to me. I really didn't start until Pixie was about 4 months.

Thank you for the compliment -- Maximo is blushing. :)

I didn't want to alarm you about the shots -- different people have different opinions. Some don't like to take their dogs out until they have had the rabies vacc. A quick call to the vet sounds good.

all puppies/dog that has never been on a leashed walk will do this.....and you puppy is 10 weeks old? I would be scared to take him/her because he/she has not have all the puppy shots....most likely only had 1 out of the 3.....it doesn't matter if she/he is up to date on shots...but being a puppy they should not be expose to outside and all the germs until they have completed their full puppy vaccination...hope that helps

It just means she's a normal pup starting out like most all of them do. Give it time, she'll get more interested. She's pretty young to figure out what all this new stuff is all about. Imagine you being 10 weeks old, going outside & being overwhelmed with how big it is out there & trying to understand it all. Roxy used to be much more cooperative walking in the direction of home too. She was getting back to her safe zone. Keep at it & be patient.

All puppy classes in my area begin working with socialization at 10-12 weeks, as this is the most crucial time for puppies to socialize....at least that is what they say. My vet didn't seem to think it was a problem either, but I do appreciate your advice.

I guess I should have mentioned that we aren't going anywhere further than the front and side of the house. I was just trying to acclimate her to the leash and walking and was wondering if anyone else had this problem in the beginning. I am going to continue working with her.....I love being able to come to YT for advice! :love::love:

I was told the same thing by my vet. That 10-12 weeks is crucial for socialization. She's had her first two sets of shots and they've assured me that she'll be ok to at least go for little walks around the yard/local neighborhood. So many conflicting things I get so worried!!! On your subject, Lucy chews at her harness or scratches at it sometimes. I think it just takes a little getting used to :)

:heart toKandi

If you can take treats with you. Try to hold them in front of her while trying to get her to walk. When she does it, give her the treat. Sometimes you have to go for the stomach. lol

My Pixie was the same way with a leash. I took some of her favorite treats with me when we went out side and the worked great. Also Pixie's puppy training class was at 6 months old. That is when they start them where I live. Pixie is now 19 months old and loves going for walks on her leash.

I'm one to use treats. I just got a new "puppy" purse and Bella doesn't like being in it, so I have been putting a treat in the far side of it. She has to get in to get the treat. At first she jumped in grabbed and jumped out. Now is taking more time. But I haven't taken her anywhere in it yet. I think that might help once she realizes she's with me. And I will keep treats with me to reward her.