Dog turns into Tasmanian devil on leash

la_stella_celeste · 02-05-2008, 08:06 PM

I have a 1-year old wheaten terrier who is a really good-natured dog until I put her on the leash. For the first few minutes, she goes psycho - grabs the leash and shakes her head violently, growls, pulls, etc. Once we get out the door and half-way down the driveway, she's fine for the rest of the walk. I understand its probably a dominance thing, but I don't know how to stop it. It seems to have gotten worse since we got a new puppy a few months ago (mini schnauser). She and the schnauser are crazy about each other.

Anyway, I've tried being stern with her, and I've tried taking the leash off her and telling her 'no walk', but when I come back a half-hour later we go through the same thing again.

I make her sit and stay until I put the leash on her, but as soon as I get it on, she grabs it and goes through the psycho dog routine. I tell her 'no walk' until she settles down, but she just keeps it up. Worse yet, she's taught the schnauser to do it too, but I can tell the schnauser 'no' and she'll stop.

Any ideas?
thanks!

Curbside Prophet · 02-05-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by la_stella_celeste

I understand its probably a dominance thing

Not likely. It's more a training thing.

Quote:

Anyway, I've tried being stern with her, and I've tried taking the leash off her and telling her 'no walk', but when I come back a half-hour later we go through the same thing again.

How have you taught her to walk on lead? The 1/2 hour timeout is really a waste of time IMO. You'd better spend your time actually training the dog how to walk on a loose lead than offer a punishment that's not very instructive.

Quote:

Any ideas?

Possibly. I'd teach the dog how to walk on heel without the leash, then I'd use the leash as something to target, and then I'd I'd condition the leash with something positive - two seconds on, the dog gets rewarded - increasing that interval as she progresses.

Annamarie · 02-05-2008, 10:40 PM

can you carry her to the end of the driveway?

la_stella_celeste · 02-06-2008, 04:15 AM

She does just fine walking on the leash after we get out of the house and down the driveway. She knows how to heel and does not have any problem with that. It's just the initial minute or so when I put the leash on that she goes crazy. I generally carry the schnauser to the end of the driveway - otherwise the wheaten is grabbing her leash too and shaking her head all around with it.

Annamarie · 02-06-2008, 01:21 PM

why not carry the wheaton instead?

la_stella_celeste · 02-07-2008, 06:34 PM

Well, she's 35 lbs, but I guess I could give it a try.

Dogsareme · 02-08-2008, 04:27 AM

When she grabs the lead and does this, drop it (still clipped) and go sit down until she calms down. Appraoch them again and grab the leads, if she grabs them and starts playing again, drop the lead and go sit down again. Do it again and again and again until she gets the point and stops. This has been going on for some time so do not expect her to just stop the behavior after a few repititions. Maybe you won't get to go for a walk for the next two days .. and if that is what happens she will learn. Don't say no before you drop the lead, just drop the it the SECOND she starts tugging. She is only doing this behavior out of excitment and thinks its acceptable as she has been reinforced for this behaviors by being brought on a walk right after it.

wvasko · 02-08-2008, 07:55 AM

Out of every ten dogs I train at least 1 or 2 will have the lead biting program. I deal with it quickly with a no-nonsense type of approach. 1st ten minute session 90% gone end of 2nd session all gone and we can move on to other stuff. These are pup from 4.5 months to sometimes 18 months old.

spotted nikes · 02-08-2008, 02:34 PM

Go to a pet supply place that sells horse products. Buy some Raplast. (pronounced "wrap-last"). It is a Capsacian spray that dogs will not even try to mouth. Spray the leash.

Then have dog sit, and put the leash on. They will only try to grab it once, but probably not even make contact. I would make the dog sit, at the door, and not go out until he is calm. Then walk out.

Also, make you you aren't encouraging the wound up behavior by asking "Do you want to go for a walk???!!!!" Just quietly have the dog sit, clip it on, reinforce the sit, then go out.

tamaraleigh · 02-08-2008, 03:08 PM

Just a thought but have you tried having a little session of play before the walk. I know one of my old dogs would go retarded over the leash if he wanted to play. To him it was a giant game of tug-a-war. But if I played with him for a bit prewalk he would be a bit tired out before hand and didn't really want to tug.

goldenhaven · 02-08-2008, 09:40 PM

I agree with Dogsareme. The dog is excited about the walk, she knows what it means and taking her on a walk after her unacceptable behavior encourages her. =) When she starts misbehaving drop it, sit and ignore her until she settles down and repeat for as long as it takes.

I'd try the spray spotted nikes mentions as more of a kind of last resort thing.