Ok so I have a 11 week old American Bully named Boats that I got when he was about 6 weeks old. The first 2 weeks I got him we would go on walks and jogs and he would have the same style harness and exact same leash I TRY to walk him on now. But after the 1st two weeks he all of a sudden stopped wanting to walk, and now he just holds his ground, I was told by my vet just keep trying which it's weird he will walk anywhere else with nervousness and a little hesitation but at the house he basically has to be drug to leave the front yard. My vet said let him drag the leash around the house which I do now and he doesn't even bother it nor seem like he even notices it, but he won't walk out of the house and off the front lawn. Idk what is causing the behaivor, a neighbor who also has a Bully said hers did the same and she got him a choke collar and forced him to walk and it helps with the training, I don't want to do that unless I have to, I love my Puppy I don't want him to be in pain. Any suggestions?? On Monday he will be 3 Months
Dright21
I would definitely suggest NOT jogging on leash with a 3 month old dog. Way too much repetitive stress on their developing joints. Especially that goes for dogs from breeds known for joint problems and from dogs who don't have parents tested for joint problems.
Grab some yummy treats and take it slow. Don't drag him around on a choke collar, that is both stressful and risks damaging his throat.
It might be that he feels he isn't supposed to leave the yard without permission, which isn't a bad thing per se, so maybe a command like "Walk on" to exit the house/yard combined with some chicken or cheese will let him know its alright.
The world can be a scary place for a little pup, so you want to build his confidence in striding about town rather than make him feel pressured to just get out the front door
Grab some yummy treats and take it slow. Don't drag him around on a choke collar, that is both stressful and risks damaging his throat.
It might be that he feels he isn't supposed to leave the yard without permission, which isn't a bad thing per se, so maybe a command like "Walk on" to exit the house/yard combined with some chicken or cheese will let him know its alright.
The world can be a scary place for a little pup, so you want to build his confidence in striding about town rather than make him feel pressured to just get out the front door
I think the Choke collar is gross, I would rather have control of him in a harness, but he doesn't follow the treats or toys or anything, they are the same treats and toys we use in the house and in the yard but when it comes to leaving it, be just doesn't and he is blind in 1 eye so I figured since he doesn't have the best sight I knew he wouldn't be comfortable with everything right away but he was fine for 2 whole weeks and then just stopped, if I take him off the leash he will walk wherever I go but with the leash on he just holds his ground
Some ideas
If he is happy to go in a car, then drive him a short distance away and walk home.
Try going a different direction leaving the house, as in, turn right instead of left or exit via the back yard if that is possible.
Take it even slower with the treats. Sit on the sidewalk with some chicken or something else of high value and have him on a leash and feed him. Then inch down the street and continue. Or start in the yard and move to the sidewalk gradually. I had a fearful foster puppy that I sat in my driveway with for a few hours total but it did help.
Try a very lightweight leash if it seems he is fine walking near you but the leash stresses him. At only 3 months, a small dog leash should still be able to stop him if needed but he probably wouldn't feel it dragging along.
If he is happy to go in a car, then drive him a short distance away and walk home.
Try going a different direction leaving the house, as in, turn right instead of left or exit via the back yard if that is possible.
Take it even slower with the treats. Sit on the sidewalk with some chicken or something else of high value and have him on a leash and feed him. Then inch down the street and continue. Or start in the yard and move to the sidewalk gradually. I had a fearful foster puppy that I sat in my driveway with for a few hours total but it did help.
Try a very lightweight leash if it seems he is fine walking near you but the leash stresses him. At only 3 months, a small dog leash should still be able to stop him if needed but he probably wouldn't feel it dragging along.
For a puppy who isn't terrified, the is merely trying to stop and put pressure on the leash, I will wait them out. I just stand there putting light pressure on the leash (really the dog is applying the pressure) and I don't move at all. The second the dog moves forward and releases the pressure, I mark it with "yes", praise, and give a treat. I teach the puppy that leash pressure means to come with me.
I wouldn't do this if the puppy was afraid, or lying down and refusing to move for some reason. If that's the case, you need to figure out why your puppy is afraid and work on that first. But for puppies who are just confused about the leash and pull back because that's natural behavior, I've found that waiting them out works well.
I wouldn't do this if the puppy was afraid, or lying down and refusing to move for some reason. If that's the case, you need to figure out why your puppy is afraid and work on that first. But for puppies who are just confused about the leash and pull back because that's natural behavior, I've found that waiting them out works well.
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
