Getting A Puppy To Walk On A Lead

[aussielover]

How can you achieve this?

My main problem is motivating Mindy to move forward whilst on the lead. It is very important she walk on the left side only and not be allowed to sniff things. She is an 11 week old guide dog puppy (lab). As she is not fully vaccinated and only very young, we only do 5-10 minute walks on the pavement in our street or at the shops which was all ok'd and encouraged by guide dogs. She does not pull on the lead, but will sit and refuse to move especialli if she is not allowed to do something (like sniff). This has increased lately. I can encourage her forward if i use a happy voice and a treat in front of her but this is only effective for 2 meters, so the walks tend to be very stop/start. I practice walking her on the lead in the house and garden, scattering her toys and some dry food for distractionand she is fine in the house or garden. It is just when we get outside that the problem starts. She is not scared becuase her body language is fine and she will trot happily if you hold the treat in front of her. She is actually better up at the shops (as I think she wants to stick closer to me).

firstly, am I expecting too much of her at a young age? and if so, what age is appropriate to teach walking on a leash?

any tips for how I could overcome this?

Guide dogs recommended the treat method. We can use a halti if neccesary but I don't think it would help at all with this problem (possibly make it worse) and I want her to be able to walk on a colloar anyway.

Thanks

[persephone]

Don't guide dogs have puppy walker folks who help (puppy raising officers, from their website) ? It seems to me that instructions from them would be better , as the methods would be approved by them, and be a constant thing....

Email or phone teh GD people and ask them these questions... it's their pup after all

Gosh- times change... treats were an absolute NO NO for guide dog pups/dogs in training way back when.

PS:

it only takes a second to sniff up a parvo bug ;)

Edited June 27, 2010 by persephone