Leash Training- Help Please?

[tryamartimmy]

Hi,

I'm starting to leash train my 14wk old chihuahua. She isn't anxious about the lead, but she also doesn't appreciate being given direction either.

Does anyone have any special pointers on how to go about this?

So far, we've been out on the patio for four sessions each lasting about 15 minutes, just walking around, sniffing etc. I bring out the treats and she responds about 50 percent of the time. I really want her to enjoy walking around with me, so I guess I want hints about how to make it enjoyable for her.

Cheers!

[dogdude]

Hi Tryamartimmy

Focus on getting the pup to walk with you, rather than focusing on the lead.

Ditch it until he is walking with you, and work on short sharp lessons, starting off with just a few paces with soft treats, and build it from there. Work when he is hungry.

When you introduce the lead later, he will hardly even know its there.

[Poodle wrangler]

Learning to walk on lead is an advanced lesson .

First things first: You need to teach pup to pay attention to you.

Teaching simpler things like "sit" are also helpful.

Have you done any other training?

Joining an obedience club can really help and is good for socialising your pup.

. ... "doesn't appreciate being given direction, either" suggests you need to look into the pack structure at your place. Pup really needs you to be their leader. A dog who thinks its the boss will be very difficult to train and difficult to live with . Lots of info here on DOL if you do a search.

Being a good leader will make your relationship with your dog so much better and is in no way cruel or 'crushing their spirit'. Modern training uses rewards, not punishment.

There are some useful lessons here: http://www.clickerlessons.com/

Clickers are cheap to buy on ebay etc.

Good luck with pup .

[tryamartimmy]

Thanks PW.

I have started the 'sit' and 'stay' with her so far and she has no problems with it at all (so long as there's a treat in my hand- haha).

Teaching her the 'down' is proving to be a little more difficult. Even with luring her using the methods described in all the books I've read isn't working. She just won't 'down', but will sort of crouch half way, if that makes sense?

Other things that she's currently learning are to 'come' and get 'off'. She's a smart puppy!

I think it may have something to do with pack structure too- I'm partway through reading Jan Fennell's 'The Dog Whisperer', which I find quite interesting. I've started a few things she's suggested already.