I cannot walk my puppy

aarons87

Hi all,

I have had my staffy for 3 months today and he is my favorite thing but i cannot walk him. I attempted to walk him for the first time last night and he just will not walk he will jump everywhere bite the chain leash try to pull backwards.

This is my first dog so its new to me however he can sit, stay and use the outside as a toilet without being told too its just the walking

Any help?

Curbside Prophet

Welcome to our forum!

http://www.dogforums.com/3-dog-train...ing-using.html (Loose Leash Walking Using Positive Reinforcers)

jesirose

Why didn't you try to walk him at all during those three months? He's probably REALLY in need of a workout!!

MegaMuttMom

My dog was a rescue and didn't go for his first leash walk until he was 6 months old. His foster mother said he bucked like a bronco the first time she put on the leash. It will just take time and patience. Use the link the curbside prophet posted and, good luck.

mom2kdg

My dog also from a rescue at 2+ years was awful on a leash. I agree with Mega patience and practice. Now we rollerblade, jog and walk we have a blast.

Puppy & Dog Forums

 

wabanafcr

Go slow, take it easy, lots of praise. The first time I put a leash on my puppy, Jack, he decided he was paralyzed and refused to budge no matter what I tried. He was born and raised here, but we never had a leash on him at all until he was 4 months old.

Patience and praise and really yummy treats. You'll get there. Remember, you are both new to this!

PeppersPop

How do you get him outside to use the toilet?

If he's never been on a leash, then you might want to just clip the leash on his collar and let him roam around in the house.... so that he gets used to the feeling of it. Then spend some time in the house with him while he wanders and you hold the leash.... take him out to the bathroom on the leash. He'll catch on.

Best wishes,
Sid

aarons87

He is not. He has a routined diet which is very healthy. He gets daily laps of our yard with me as he will just chase me if i run. I run till he likes to sit down. Not to mention his assortment of toys which burn his energy.

He went to the vet today for his second shot and he was assesed as perfect.

So, i think me and my dog are doing a good job

Durbkat

Dogs need more than that, they need to get outside and go for walks and see and smell new things and meet new people for socialization. Since you haven't started on it already you may find it hard for him not to be fearful around new things since he wasn't exposed to it. Plus a dog can't get properly exercised in a fenced yard, how would you like to just stay on your property your whole life and never leave, you'd be bored wouldn't you?

britishbandit

You don't have to necessarily leave your home to teach leash manners. You can practice walking on leash even in the yard to help him get used to it. Even having him just trailing a leash indoors can help (always under supervision of course, or he might get caught up in it). Just remember that if you do that, he's a pup and will likely try to chew it, at least in the beginning. If he does, draw his attention away from it with either a toy, just calling him over for a pet, or a treat....etc.

I'd also stay away from areas that have a lot of distractions until he's walking better on leash. As he gets better then start adding more distractions.

Lyka_01

Right..dog really need a work out for their health too...also for their behavior...

britishbandit

I can't say I agree with this. I personally don't feel comfortable enough walking pups until they've had at least their 2nd set of boosters. Since the first booster is usually done between 6 and 8 weeks, that leaves the second one to be done between 10 and 12 weeks (approximately). I don't feel after just one booster that they are protected enough from contracting diseases. I'd rather wait to start walks off of my property until then, than risk them becoming sick.

But that doesn't mean I don't start leash training before then though.

wvasko

bandit
I got to say you are 100% correct. Murphy's law says anything can happen anytime, anywhere. I do know a lot of owners are getting their pups out into the world earlier though, it's choices everybody got to do what is correct for them. But it is a good warning reply.

aarons87

My dogs heakth and fitness is great you have no idea about my fenced yard as you said. He is not allowed to go for walks until his final injection has been done. You should know that !

jesirose

Just because you can't go very far doesn't mean you need to wait to start walks until after all shots are done.

My point was if you suddenly start doing something after 3 months of not doing it, of course he is going to resist it. You could have been gradually getting him used to walks during that time. In your fenced yard and home.

Dogs aren't born knowing how WE as humans want them to act on a leash. If someone suddenly came up and attached a chain to you, I'm sure you'd calmly walk along with them without fighting it at all *eye roll*

Willowy

Also, chain leashes are not so great for walking. They make noise, and that can scare some dogs, plus you can only hold the handle, because grabbing the chain will hurt your hands. A good nylon or leather strap leash is best for walks. Also make sure you have a strap collar, too, for when you're not training (you can walk him on a training collar or harness), because training collars can easily get caught and strangle the dog.

wvasko

Why should we know that, when you are on forum longer you will find out to take nothing for granted.

dre2142

Bullox. His health and fitness may be great, but obviously there is a problem, as you started this thread asking your questions.

If youre so scared of taking him outside your yard for a walk on a leash, do it in your yard, or your living room, etc.

ACampbell

I suggest a nylon lead...they are cheap, easy to handle, and if he tears it up or chews on it, you'r eout what, $2? Leather ones are nice, but more expensive, and more tasty (think leather is made from animal hydes...=tasty treat!)
He'll get used to it, if he's only 3 months old he's not that big yet...so the advantage is in your court. I, by no means, mean to yank him around, but as being much larger he won't be getting lose from you (which is like a treat to him if he doesn't like whats going on...I'm loose so therefore I won and it's ok to do now kind of thing)
I'd start in the living room, let him get used to the leash by doing a "drag line" with it to start with...this is how we trained young horses (who by 3 months of age are larger than a human so a bit different but still) by using a drag rope in a large pen...they step on the rope and learn that "gee this thing is strong" and they learn to respect it instead of racing off like a kite on a string.
He's a puppy, be patient and you will be rewarded!

dre2142

The Gentle Leader worked wonders for my puppy on walks.

Puppy & Dog Forums