Advice on puppy problems.
- Thread starter jerros
- Start date
missjenneygirl
Forums Enthusiast
I can hardly read about a 11 week old off leash and not fenced in. It made my stomach roll over. Thank you all for the wonderful advice you have given. I can't even comment, I'm feeling nauseous.
As I previously stated, I made a judgement call based on my location (in relation to busy streets, and wildlife), my situation (my pup won't eliminate on a leash), my puppy (who up until yesterday was extremely calm and wouldn't get more than a foot away from me and would slowly walk where ever we were going), and I was extremely vigilent every time we went out so that I could quickly grab him if anything were to go wrong.
I have been doing my best to get my pup accustom to the leash but that takes time. Other solutions were tried like putting him in a playpen outside but that had the same result as being on a leash he wouldn't eliminate, not to mention he started to dig his way out.
If you think one bad judgement call invalidates other advice I've given about vaccumes, brooms, puppy nipping, or general potty training then your welcome to ignore it. But if you read the posts you'll see I haven't reccomended anything that could put a pup in danger, nor did I advocate anyone take their pup outside off leash for any reason.
Caro
Moderator
Oh, dont you have a fence in the backyard? Mine stayed on lead until completely trustworthy (which meant going back on lead as teens) but not when they toileted but then I have a high fenced yard so I can imagine its a bit difficult when you dont have a fence.
Dr Shelli gave some great suggestions so I wont add to them. For a long line though, try a lightweight rope rather than a dog lead. I have to keep my male on a long lead around cars - initially I brought a black dog recall lead but he feels restricted with it on. So I ended up buying long rope (sturdy but fine nylon) from the hardware store and tie that to his harness and he feels much freer and will wander around with it on. The only problem I have with the rope is if he tries to play chase other dogs and they get tangled.
Dr Shelli gave some great suggestions so I wont add to them. For a long line though, try a lightweight rope rather than a dog lead. I have to keep my male on a long lead around cars - initially I brought a black dog recall lead but he feels restricted with it on. So I ended up buying long rope (sturdy but fine nylon) from the hardware store and tie that to his harness and he feels much freer and will wander around with it on. The only problem I have with the rope is if he tries to play chase other dogs and they get tangled.
missjenneygirl
Forums Enthusiast
I'm sorry if you took my comment as an afront. It is just that in all my years and all my puppies, I know how fast they grow and change. When, on one day you can reach down and scoop him up, and then the next day he darts away. When I place a puppy, I can not stress enough how dangerous it is to allow the pup to be loose. That was all.
It's no problem, sorry I missunderstood your post. I completely understand your point it took a scare to remind me of how fast things can change.
Try using a clothesline as a leash. They are nice and long, and also light, so maybe Vash won't feel as self-conscious. You can tie one to your door for letting him out at night.
I noticed that Buffy had great recall the first few weeks we got her and then she learned selective hearing. I imagine it's the same with Vash. The recall you get when they are really young is kind of an artificial one. Puppies have an instinct to follow - the "invisible leash." That invisible leash breaks after a while and they get more independent. In a real recall they need to choose you over whatever tempting and distracting thing is out there. It takes a lot of time and effort to train.... I don't trust Buffy off leash (without a fence) yet, and she is 10 months and we have worked on recalls pretty much every day, often a few times a day, since she was 4 or 5 months old. She is maybe 70 or 80% off-leash with other dogs, but that is not 100%, so she still needs work before I trust her off-leash.
I noticed that Buffy had great recall the first few weeks we got her and then she learned selective hearing. I imagine it's the same with Vash. The recall you get when they are really young is kind of an artificial one. Puppies have an instinct to follow - the "invisible leash." That invisible leash breaks after a while and they get more independent. In a real recall they need to choose you over whatever tempting and distracting thing is out there. It takes a lot of time and effort to train.... I don't trust Buffy off leash (without a fence) yet, and she is 10 months and we have worked on recalls pretty much every day, often a few times a day, since she was 4 or 5 months old. She is maybe 70 or 80% off-leash with other dogs, but that is not 100%, so she still needs work before I trust her off-leash.
Chris
Premium Member
The light line idea is excellent. It may take a but but Vash will potty on the line if that's what he comes to expect as normal. 
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
It's odd that some pups won't potty on a leash. Mine are pretty much the same way (which is why my ex had so much trouble with them while I was away).
I know when I walk them on leash, I never even bother bringing bags because they just won't go. It's like they think they aren't supposed to (trained them too well????). But I can bring them anywhere else, and as long as there is grass and they are loose, no problem - the first thing they will do is pee!
Would sure like advice on how to get them to potty on a short leash (as opposed to a long lead).
I know when I walk them on leash, I never even bother bringing bags because they just won't go. It's like they think they aren't supposed to (trained them too well????). But I can bring them anywhere else, and as long as there is grass and they are loose, no problem - the first thing they will do is pee!
Would sure like advice on how to get them to potty on a short leash (as opposed to a long lead).
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
I always trained my pups on leash at first even though I have a fenced back yard. I travel with them and go to shows with them and they need to know how to go on lead, it isn't an opinion. All 3 puppies were shy at first being on lead but they needed to get over it. A couple days of waiting them out and they understood.
That being said with both Ember and Diva their first time to a show, they both had trouble going on leash. Justice lived in an apartment his first 3 yrs so it wasn't a problem for him. Ember held everything for 24 hours and Diva refused to poop for 36 hrs. I just kept taking them outside often. When they finally went ,we had a party and they felt so much better that I never had another problem. It was an AH AH moment for both of them. The key is waiting them out as small puppies or adults. If they don't go, kennel them or tether them to you and try again in a short time and then praise when they finally go.
That being said with both Ember and Diva their first time to a show, they both had trouble going on leash. Justice lived in an apartment his first 3 yrs so it wasn't a problem for him. Ember held everything for 24 hours and Diva refused to poop for 36 hrs. I just kept taking them outside often. When they finally went ,we had a party and they felt so much better that I never had another problem. It was an AH AH moment for both of them. The key is waiting them out as small puppies or adults. If they don't go, kennel them or tether them to you and try again in a short time and then praise when they finally go.