[pinkdaisy]

I have a Shih Tzu (no idea how old, maybe 8-9 but acts younger & looks younger, this is just based on her teeth.) who was an ex-breeding dog until I rescued her. Because of that they did not take good care of her, so we can't really tell how old she is by her teeth.

Anyway, she spent her life in a cage and has never walked on a leash. I adopted her last July and periodically work with her on walking on her leash but she just begins to shake when I put it on her (which she does whenever she is scared).

I've tried walking away and not holding onto it and just letting her walk around with it, I bought the lightest one possible....

I just don't know what to do and I would love to take her on walks if she would just learn to not be scared of the leash. Any ideas?

 

[TooneyDogs]

You did the right things....light leash, putting it on and letting her drag it around. Take it a couple of steps further. Put on it just before meal time and then feed her and drop treats as you walk around the house. Make it so good things happen when the leash goes on. When it looks like she's comfortable just dragging it...pick up the leash and continue dropping treats as you walk around the house.
Use good treats....sliced/diced hot dogs, pieces of cheese, SPAM, etc.