Claire not peeing while on leash

[Ann]

I second Pat's suggestion for an ex-pen. Most puppies have a hard time learning to go on leash at first too, and an ex-pen makes life much easier, especially since she has a "spot" in the yard. Put the ex-pen there and then when she's used to it (a week or two, patience is key) put her in it with the leash on. Treat her when she goes in the pen, even without the leash.

We travel with an ex-pen. They fold down easily and fit in the car and you can use them at rest stops and hotels. They're easy to get online and not expensive. Eventually, Claire will figure the leash out. It's just another very new thing for her in a long list of new things. Hang in there!

 

[jomuir]

Forrest won't urinate or poop on lead either. He hasn't urinated even on really long car trips up north (5-6 hrs). He would probably explode before he went on lead. I doubt we'll ever get him to do it, and so we don't force him. I don't have any advice for you, just wanted to let you know some just won't go.

 

[Woodbender]

Hmmmm

Forrest won't urinate or poop on lead either. He hasn't urinated even on really long car trips up north (5-6 hrs). He would probably explode before he went on lead. I doubt we'll ever get him to do it, and so we don't force him. I don't have any advice for you, just wanted to let you know some just won't go.

Now you really have me wondering if Forrest and Claire really are abandoned from the same loser barn breeder. Or is this more common than I thought?

 

[trini]

Or is this more common than I thought?

Actually it is fairly common if the dog wasn't trained to eliminate on lead as a pup...so even well loved and cared for pets who have only done their business while loose in a fenced yard can show the exact same issue you are seeing in Claire.

With dogs like Claire the method I have always used is to put them on a 4' lead and just leave it on (always under your supervision so if it gets caught on something you are right there to help). Let her drag it around everywhere (inside the house and outside) so she gets used to a lead being part of her daily routine and stops focusing on it. Once she ignores the lead, tie a small stuffed animal or something not too heavy to the end of the lead. Be sure to choose something that doesn't make noise when it bumps along...getting her used to a "weight pull" on the lead whenever she moves. If she initially seems upset with the lead dragging behind her...don't sympathize with her because it sends the message that "something really is wrong"...just pretend you don't even see the lead and treat her normally. It typically doesn't take long with this method to get a pup/adult dog to the point where the weight/pull of a lead is no issue and doesn't impact their behavior.

Trini