New pup doesn't want to budge on leash

rellik75 · 02-17-2011, 06:06 PM

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.

rellik75 · 02-17-2011, 06:10 PM

Sorry…I should have posted this in the Owners forum

DanO · 02-17-2011, 10:20 PM

Put the leash on him and let him walk around without anyone holding it. Just let him 'hang out' for a while with the leash on and no one pushing or pulling. After a while hopefully it will get him used to it.

deepnite10 · 03-09-2011, 10:46 PM

hopefully by now he understands your the boss..often a new pup..not understanding the pecking order of his new home is going to try to take over..not that he s disrespecting you..it s just that he still does nt understand the structure of his new pact..

it should nt take long befor he gets use to his new surroundings and new family..in which case he ll fall in line..

hope everything is going smoothly now..

**lindamarie** · 03-10-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanO

Put the leash on him and let him walk around without anyone holding it. Just let him 'hang out' for a while with the leash on and no one pushing or pulling. After a while hopefully it will get him used to it.

There ya go!
I sat here and started to think of what you could possibly do! Then I aasked my husband. I read your post to him and it hit me!
HE'S ONLY 9 WEEKS OLD!!
HE'S A BABY!!
This little guy will be just fine.

Don't get me wrong.........I understand your frsutration and how you want to speed things up, but Riley is sooooooo young that if you have things like:

Quote:

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.

...............you have one bright and GOOD puppy!!
Let him grow up a little. He will transform right in front of your eyes.
Also.......he hasn't had all his vaccinations yet and really should NOT be walking off of your property. He could easily pick up things he hasn't been vaccinated for.

I'm sorry if I come off harsh........but give the little guy a chance and get all his shots.......

LabyLabradoodle · 03-12-2011, 11:50 AM

You should be patient with the dog. You must treat him well and find other techniques to keep him walking. Maybe, he acquired the planting issue due to the food you are giving.

**lindamarie** · 03-12-2011, 01:30 PM

Why would the food matter?

Bachi's Mom · 06-17-2011, 08:52 PM

When my 11 wk old puppy does similar things...won't come towards me or backs up or pulls back on the leash, I just turn around and start walking away and calling her in a happy voice and she always follows. Practice in an enclosed location first so that you don't have a run away. Good luck!

Riverkatie · 06-18-2011, 05:19 AM

I have just been taking a few deep breaths before answering this and then I saw the date, and also that the OP had not been back since, so I won't waste my time. Thank you for your answer Lindamarie, I hope the OP took notice.
Why do people think their pups just 'know' how to walk on a leash. Its as daft as people thinking one just 'knows' how to drive a car. These things have to be taught, and I bet it takes ages for that poor pup to learn to walk on a lead, now it is that scared.

**lindamarie** · 06-19-2011, 10:44 AM

LOL @ Katie!!

YEPPERS!!!

deepnite10 · 06-23-2011, 11:33 AM

it was quite easy to leash train Toby..

we do live in a semi country setting so there s plenty of room..at first off leash he stuck with me like glue..everywhere i went he kept right on my heals..

so when it came time to put the leash on it was as though it was a extension of me and actually enjoy d it..the few times he did get a stuborn..we just stop d and when it came time to go, i just tap d him on the head and he started walking..the tap on the head eventually turn d into our release command..he does nt go thru doorways or into the street without the little tap..

i did learn in our training class though..other s did have a problem with dogs having to be drag d befor they d fall into line..the instructor method was to just pull slightly on the leash till the pup follow d..since where suppose to be smarter than the dog, the will of the dog will give in first..

because most of us did nt want to put out the cost of a 20' lead..but, if we did.. we d just walk slowly allowing the pup to follow at their leisure..and after a week of shortening the lead they d be at our sides..this did work for the few that did want to buy the leads..

this would eventually lead to the *heal* command and loose lead walking
where the dogs would walk at your side with a slack lead..

02-17-2011, 06:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
rellik75 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 3	New pup doesn't want to budge on leash 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. Attached Thumbnails

03-12-2011, 11:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
LabyLabradoodle Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 90	You should be patient with the dog. You must treat him well and find other techniques to keep him walking. Maybe, he acquired the planting issue due to the food you are giving. __________________ Let's do the math! An adorable labrador retriever + a sweet poodle = Laby Last edited by LabyLabradoodle; 03-12-2011 at 09:05 PM.

03-12-2011, 01:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
lindamarie Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Birmingham, Michigan Posts: 6,172	Why would the food matter? __________________ Linda & Bogart Dogs=Unconditional love "We have it all! Just like Bogie & Bacall!"

06-19-2011, 10:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
lindamarie Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Birmingham, Michigan Posts: 6,172	LOL @ Katie!! YEPPERS!!! __________________ Linda & Bogart Dogs=Unconditional love "We have it all! Just like Bogie & Bacall!"

02-17-2011, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
rellik75 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 3	Sorry…I should have posted this in the Owners forum

02-17-2011, 10:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
DanO Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 9	Put the leash on him and let him walk around without anyone holding it. Just let him 'hang out' for a while with the leash on and no one pushing or pulling. After a while hopefully it will get him used to it.

03-09-2011, 10:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
deepnite10 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 1,361	hopefully by now he understands your the boss..often a new pup..not understanding the pecking order of his new home is going to try to take over..not that he s disrespecting you..it s just that he still does nt understand the structure of his new pact.. it should nt take long befor he gets use to his new surroundings and new family..in which case he ll fall in line.. hope everything is going smoothly now..

06-17-2011, 08:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bachi's Mom Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Southern CT Posts: 2	When my 11 wk old puppy does similar things...won't come towards me or backs up or pulls back on the leash, I just turn around and start walking away and calling her in a happy voice and she always follows. Practice in an enclosed location first so that you don't have a run away. Good luck!

06-18-2011, 05:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
Riverkatie Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 110	I have just been taking a few deep breaths before answering this and then I saw the date, and also that the OP had not been back since, so I won't waste my time. Thank you for your answer Lindamarie, I hope the OP took notice. Why do people think their pups just 'know' how to walk on a leash. Its as daft as people thinking one just 'knows' how to drive a car. These things have to be taught, and I bet it takes ages for that poor pup to learn to walk on a lead, now it is that scared.

06-23-2011, 11:33 AM	#11 (permalink)
deepnite10 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 1,361	it was quite easy to leash train Toby.. we do live in a semi country setting so there s plenty of room..at first off leash he stuck with me like glue..everywhere i went he kept right on my heals.. so when it came time to put the leash on it was as though it was a extension of me and actually enjoy d it..the few times he did get a stuborn..we just stop d and when it came time to go, i just tap d him on the head and he started walking..the tap on the head eventually turn d into our release command..he does nt go thru doorways or into the street without the little tap.. i did learn in our training class though..other s did have a problem with dogs having to be drag d befor they d fall into line..the instructor method was to just pull slightly on the leash till the pup follow d..since where suppose to be smarter than the dog, the will of the dog will give in first.. because most of us did nt want to put out the cost of a 20' lead..but, if we did.. we d just walk slowly allowing the pup to follow at their leisure..and after a week of shortening the lead they d be at our sides..this did work for the few that did want to buy the leads.. this would eventually lead to the heal command and loose lead walking where the dogs would walk at your side with a slack lead..

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