leash training 6 month old

[JessicaR]

Everyone here has givin good advise I just thought I would add something about the flexi leash. I know someone who had one and the dog pulled it out of her hand. THe handle part hit the dog in the butt and scared him, for a long time he didnt want to walk on a leash, and was nervouse for an even longer time when back on the leash. He kept looking behind him to see if something was going to hit him in the butt again. So if you have a dog that is already scared of leashes I wouldnt use a flexi.

 

[mbfrench]

Everyone here has givin good advise I just thought I would add something about the flexi leash. I know someone who had one and the dog pulled it out of her hand. THe handle part hit the dog in the butt and scared him, for a long time he didnt want to walk on a leash, and was nervouse for an even longer time when back on the leash. He kept looking behind him to see if something was going to hit him in the butt again. So if you have a dog that is already scared of leashes I wouldnt use a flexi.

Been there,done that! It really freaks them out.It happened along time ago with Earnhardt,and we had the dickens of a time to even hook it to him.

 

[Smudge]

3) Get yourself a long leash (15ft or 20ft) I used a lighter "training leash", a short leash like the 6ft is a bit too much for a puppy who's never been on leash before. The 15-20 ft leash will give them the illusion of freedom. Tie the leash around your waist and then just go outside and garden or do something mundane and let the pup do what he does, I took mine out while I was detatching my lawn. He'd play with some bugs, hit the end of the leash get angry and jump for a bit then when he'd calm down I'd offer a treat.

Yup. This was actually what was suggested to me for Smudge. Smudge already knew how to walk on leash before he went to class, but she told me getting a really long leash and putting it around my wasit was an exellent way for Smudge to learn to walk with me "off leash".

Of course, I might need a longer leash than 15 feet to go around my waist.

 

[Emmasmom]

Just don't get what was suggested at the obedience class I was going to take Emma to. It was suggested that you get a 30'horse lead. Definitely too heavy and too wide (almost 1"in width) for a puppy - one of the puppies was a mini daschy.

 

[Chris]

Just don't get what was suggested at the obedience class I was going to take Emma to. It was suggested that you get a 30'horse lead. Definitely too heavy and too wide (almost 1"in width) for a puppy - one of the puppies was a mini daschy.

That would be about as big round as the poor little dog!

 

[Justicemom]

Just don't get what was suggested at the obedience class I was going to take Emma to. It was suggested that you get a 30'horse lead. Definitely too heavy and too wide (almost 1"in width) for a puppy - one of the puppies was a mini daschy.

Holy Hannah. Well you wouldn't need to worry about her running off. I use a rope clothes line or paracute cord. Get a small snap and tie it to the end and cut a length of about 30ft and put a couple knots in the end(gives something to hold on to so it doesn't slip out of your hands). I use it to teach transition to off leash. I love leather leashes for teaching loose leash walking and heeling. I won't use anything else. My leashes are no wider than 1/4 inches. I have one that is almost 20yrs old and soft as butter.

Dump the retractable leash. I use one for recall traing and a few other things. But they are clumsy and teach the dog to pull against pressure.

 

[sheltin]

leash update for sheltin

Sheltin still drops to submissive pos'n as soon as I hook a leash on him.
I learned my lesson long ago about collaring scared dogs when we had a pup who had slipped out of his collar.
Sheltin's sporting a harness, which he tolerates being on him. He's not chewing it up.
I hook two 6' leashes together and clip it on his harness and nudge him forward to get him moving. He resists but will walk forward slowly puppy steps as I walk slowly with him.
He's even getting the idea of 'here' to step next to me and lay down. every once in a while he'll stop and lay on my left foot.
But he still 'hates' his leash and is still extremely scared of everything.
Granted two and a half weeks at a new home INSIDE after six months of free ranging outside. I'd be scared witless too!

I reiterate, Sheltin's not our first pup, nor our first Sheltie, but he's our first extremely scared puppy.
I've voulenteered at animal allies socializing cats and dogs and Barbi and I have rescued and rehomed numerous pups and kitties over the past ten years.
I just haven't homed such a scared pet before, thus all the questions.
I know a bit about shelties from reading and have a lot to learn.
I just don't want Sheltin running the show. At the same time I don't want him afraid of me to the extent of withdrawing from people even more...

thanks to all for the tips and advice...


steve (barbi, sheltin, and rupert)