New pup doesn't want to budge on leash

[rellik75]

Hi Everyone!

My family recently brought home a 9 week old F1 labradoodle. We've had him for week now so he's finally starting to come out of his shell. He's incredibly smart and has already learned sit and come. Aside from a few accidents, he's been really good in regards to house training, as well.

The problem I'm having is on the leash. When he does walk with the leash there are no pulling issue. It's just getting him to actually walk. Sometimes he'll walk with no problem, and sometimes he'll just plant his butt down and refuse to budge. I've tried using treats to get him to walk, which basically only works the distance of the leash—he'll come, eat, and plant himself. Repeat. I've also tried using an alpha attitude and telling him he's going to walk, but I end up just dragging him around. Eventually he starts walking, and when he does, he's very walkable, but not before I've dragged him half way down the street and his paws are completely black from the asphalt. It seems that he doesn't want to venture too far away from the house, however once he's been dragged past a certain point, he gives in and starts walking. I would think that with enough repetition, treats, and praise, this behavior would go away. However, I don't want him to be afraid of me or the leash and I don't like the idea of having to drag him half-way down the block before he gives in and walks willingly.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to get him walking on a leash without dragging him around? Even the slightly bit of jerk on the leash seems to make him fight that much more. I've read on some dog training forums that dragging them for a little bit is ok. Even some slight jerks on the leash to get them to move is acceptable. This little guy, however, is very sensitive and those aggressive methods are not working.

BTW, here's a pic of our pup, Riley.

[daking]

I would recommend running. I had put Winston on a leash and he would freeze. So i got him all riled up and took off from him, as soon as he saw me run, he tried to catch me... soon enough he would be walking on the leash.
I avoided the treats to get him to walk, because that could be reinforcing his "staying put". Think of him as not moving, then if he moves, he gets a treat. Over and over he will want more treats by just staying put.

[deepnite10]

at 9 weeks they re still pretty insecure..off leash they d probably follow after you if you decide to just walk off..give a shot in the park..cept leave a leash on them as the follow after you..when they catch up pick up the leash and befor you know it they ll be at your side..

*not as easy as it sounds* just be patient..

Toby 95% will heal at my side and follow any command i give..but, when a
90lb doodle decides he wants to stop and sniff..your body can come to a stop pretty fast..

[RubyDoo]

I read that you should get your pup used to the leash in the house. Ruby was that way at that age as well. She wore her leash around the house, and got more confident with it on. When we got outside, we picked up a stick with dead leaves on it and dangled it in front of her - she ran after it. Pretty soon she forgot she was on the leash. I am guilty of picking her up and holding her until she was ready to walk again... It is a bad habit to start Before long, you will be the one needing to catch up I think it is more of an age thing...

[.synq]

I had the same problem for about three weeks.
What I eventually did was use a retractable lead where there's loads of slack and basically walk away leaving loads of slack. He should eventually follow you.

The first time KC walked was kind of a gamble - we drove to the seaside and lifter her out of the car and just walked. She would stop and I'd either walk away with the slack, as mentioned, or else I would go up to her, rub her face and talk to her really enthusiastically to excite her and then walk away. I still have to do that, but I don't use the retractable lead anymore (because she ate that too!)