Member

Posts: 43
From:SLC, UT, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-30-2003 09:13 PM         

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I have an 8 week old APBT brindle, cutest thing you ahve ever seen (loves to bite & chew on everything & everyone)

I am trying to get her used to being ona leash & introducing her to walking on a leash. The problem is she is very resistant to the leash. She always pulls a way when I leash her. I am sure this is normal behavior. Does anyone have any suggestions for trainign a pup on leash & to walk?

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Posts: 478
From:Dallas, Texas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 12-30-2003 09:34 PM         

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You know, some people try prong collars. The family of my dog's sister tried, and when I did it, it didn't help much, but it did make the walk a little more enjoyable, as she did slow down enough for me to stop feeling like my arm was about to pop off! You ought to enjoy the fact that at 8 weeks your dog at least wants to go and walk on the leash! My dog was terrified and had to be carried half way there and half way back. Something you may try is the command 'wait' I used it with Ranger on the retractable. That way, when he was about to the end and start tugging, I could have him wait until I gave him the signal to go. To teach them wait, give them the command, lock the leash, wait until you feel the tug on the leash diminish, unlock the leash to make sure they won't move, then, when you are ready, give them the command that allows them to continue moving, and make sure they start. Another way that some book suggest is switching directions when the dog starts pulling, that way they learn that they are following you and not the other way around. I tried that method and we never got passed the walkway. You could also teach the command heel, which I have yet to get around to . I hope you get it worked out, I know what it feels like to get dragged the whole way!

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Posts: 43
From:SLC, UT, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-30-2003 09:51 PM         

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She isn't actually walking on the leash yet. She's tugging backwards as if she is trying to get away fom the leash & collar. I just feel bad becasue It looks like she hates it...

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Posts: 552
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 12-30-2003 11:04 PM         

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quote:

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You know, some people try prong collars.

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Not on such a young pup. Most reputable trainers won't advise any correction type collars on a pup under 5 or 6 months old. In addition, you don't want him to be getting corrected as he's just checking out the big wide worl, as that could make bad affiliations with things when he matures. I know you though kricks meant something different, but just tossed that in there to be safe.

kricks, you might try coaxing her along with a treat, and giving it to her when she's walknig without fuss. She'll probably resist the collar/leash for a bit, but will eventually get used to them, especially once she realizes they mean good times.

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Posts: 19
From:carson city,nevada,usa
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-31-2003 06:06 AM         

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mine did the the same thing. Don't worry just work on calling her w/ you while you walk she will fight it for a while but she will get the hang of it. she just feels weird being under the control of you. this is new to her(or him). she will get over this

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Posts: 320
From:Allagash, Maine USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-31-2003 06:58 AM         

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DO NOT USE A PRONG COLLAR! Your puppy is way too young to use that. I woudl only use a prong collar on dogs that are eight months or older and to correct behavior issues. Try connecting the dogs leash to it's collar and letting it run around the house with it just dangling and dragging behind, however keep an eye on the puppy so it doesn't get the lead caught anywhere. It will learn that leashes are fun- so then you try taking it off and putting it on until it gets used to this and doesn't try to back away. Then put the leash on and stand in front of the puppy with a treat convincing it to come towards you, try jogging in front of the puppy making it chase after you, make it a game. The pup needs to know that the leash doesnt hurt and is a good thing. It might be a pain in your neck but you have to be strong. That is your first step in proving dominancy- DO NOT GIVE IN TO THE PUPPY!

Angie Saige n Jekkyl

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Posts: 478
From:Dallas, Texas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 12-31-2003 07:27 AM         

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Woops! Yeah, sorry about the prong collar! Okay, I read that wrong, thinking that she WANTED to go on the walk! My dog used to do that, so I would carry him half way, since he always wanted to go home anyway!

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Posts: 5
From:Ohio,usa
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-03-2004 03:00 AM         

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Brindle's are the cutest! Maybe I'm prejudice! I still have one that's like this! She was like this from a pup,now she's 1&half yr. old.I have never used pronged collar on her,I just don't like them. I take her to a part of the river where I live, where there is no one,so she get's to be off leash,she stays right with me though,but I guess I haven't done enough leash walks with her,because she pulls the crap outta me with even a harness! Shelby

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Posts: 31
From:Roseville
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-03-2004 08:27 AM         

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I start the pupies out with the collar on. I leave them alone to get used to that. This usually will last around a week before I put a leash on. I do not try to walk them on the leash. I let them run around with the leash on so they get used to it and are not afraid of it. You can play games with them by picking it up and dropping it. Giving slight tugs with it will help. After a couple weeks of playing with the pup this way it is alot easier to get them to walk with you. When you first start walking do NOT be overly forceful. That will only make the puppy fear you and not want to go with you. When walking call her name and be encouraging. Never use a corrective collars on a young puppy!

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Posts: 10
From:Barre
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-16-2004 07:54 PM         

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I have the same probel with my 8 wk old Zeus!! Dont worry...i already have dealt with this a fe time with my past pits. Theyll get overit around 10 11 weeks...where r u it might also b too cold for them...one of the resons why mine hates going out.Going on wals is not their thing yet..theyll grow out of it

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Posts: 43
From:Phoenix, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-16-2004 09:18 PM         

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I'm traing my pits with clicker training. With using the clicker and treats, pits are very eager to please. They associate the sound of the clicker with a reward for doing good. I wear my clicker like a piece of jewelry now.When I want to take them for a walk on a leash, I take a pocket full of treats and the clicker. They use to jump on people who came to visit, treats and the clicker, It works GREAT!!

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Posts: 171
From:Norco, Louisiana
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 03-17-2004 05:13 AM         

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What goob, maine, and mike said work great IMO. I hope it works for you. goodluck!

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Posts: 173
From:Canada
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-17-2004 09:30 AM         

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Kricks,
You just need to get him used to the idea of being around the leash at first. Most pups have this problem as well as not liking their collar on. Just start associating good things with the leash. Play with it with him for a while, leave it out on the floor (while you're there so he doesn't chew it). Have it lying around while you play catch or tug with him. Everytime you feed him have the leash around the food dish. This will get him used to the site of it and the good things that come when it is around him. After a week or so of this try putting it on him and treating when he lets you put it on. Then take off immediately. You want to gt it off of him BEFORE he becomes uncomfortable with it on. This will take some time but gradually you will work up to having the leash on him longer. I would also suggest a harness for him instead of a leash. Just my opinion, because my dog is a puller on leash and the awful sounds she makes from choking on it. Yuck! I do not use any correction devices on my girl. Only positive reinforcement.I tried a choke collar at first then researched it and found horrible articles on what it had done to dogs, plus, I was getting no results. I started positive reinforcement training and within days, she was listnening better than ever.
Good luck with the training.

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Posts: 43
From:SLC, UT, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 03-17-2004 11:06 AM         

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Thanks everyone. She is doing quite well on the leash.

Here is a current pic....

She is about 4 months old here

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Posts: 171
From:Norco, Louisiana
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 03-17-2004 11:10 AM         

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Aww... she looks so sweet!

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Posts: 44
From:bullard texas us
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-18-2004 08:41 AM         

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when i leash trained casey i took her to a party with me so she would listen to me in any situation. every time she acted crazy i used the command " stop" i would shorten her leash so she had to be right next to me and than i used the command "here"! she learned really fast that i walk her and that she dosnet walk me, and she knows that unless i let her that she has to stay right at my feet, not in front of me or behind me but right next to me!!! now i dont have to shorten the leash any more!!! and she is GREAT on the leash and around other people!!! and because i took her to parties to leash train now she will listen to me no matter whats going on!! i also carried a bunch of treats in my pocket and everytime she was good she got a treat!!! hope everything goes smoothly!!! shse is soooo beautiful!!!

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Posts: 47
From:Chattanooga, TN, USA
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-19-2004 04:11 PM         

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I'm currently going through the same think with my 3 month old pit. My other dogs I bought as adults who were already used to a leash. I don't think Gauge (my pup) has ever had a collar on, let alone a leash. I bought him a collar to let him get used to that. Now, I'm just taking him (well, carrying him) outside, and then I just stand there and let him kindda sniff around. Then I walk with him wherever he wants to go. After doing that for a few minutes, I'll tug (gently) on the leash and call his name. When he comes over to me, I praise him and start walking. He's made great progress. The key is to work very slowly - especially with pups. Otherwise they will think of the leash as a negative thing. Hope this helps.

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Posts: 47
From:Chattanooga, TN, USA
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-20-2004 08:22 PM         

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Update for my pup. I took him out just now ( I caught him starting to pee on the carpet.) to see if maybe he would finish his business outside. Well, we had no luck with that, BUT, he is learning VERY quickly to walk on a leash. He did stop and just sit there a few times, but I would just give a gentle tug on the leash, call his name, and make kissing noises. When he would walk towards me, I'd praise him and keep walking. He is obviously doing very well. After I have him confidant on the leash, then we will really focus on potty training. The key to training (with leash walking, obedience, etc) is to give positive feedback. Make it fun.

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Amanda Spencer
www.geocities.com/spencerpits

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