Hi,could i have some advice with the best way to encourage my puppy-9 1/2 weeks,to walk or even attempt to walk!!on a lead.The collar has been put on gradually and he has it on all the time now,but as soon as i attach the lead all he wants todo is chew it and lie down and play.I am reluctant to pull too hard as i dont want to hurt his neck,would a harness- i think this is what its called-goes around his body- so im not pulling his neck.Any helpful advice would be appreciated.Thanks

Hi Nikki,
Click on the link,and on the left side click on 'Loose leash walking' there's a whole load of good anecdotal articles.
Hope they help, till you get more replies :)

When I have had pups that didn't want to walk with a lead on I just left in on in the house (supervised of course ;) ) and they eventually got used to the idea of having something trailling along behind them. Then, when we went outside, it was easier to walk. When you take puppy out into the garden for a toilet break take it out on a lead and let it off after a few minutes.

I had the problem years ago with a pup who particularly loved her food!  I let her watch me prepare a meal, then attached the lead, and walked up the garden carrying her feed bowl.  You can split the food ration into as many meals as you like, but it's reasonable to assume you're on 4 meals a day anyway.  It took her 3 days to break the "I hate the lead habit!"

If he's playing with the lead for fun, you could just try distracting him - or teach him a "leave it" command.  My springer youngun is an absolute git for lpaying with his lead/harness/colalr/you name it, but in a week he's improved dramatically - he's starting to grasp that "ah ah!" means "don't do that", and that he'll get a treat the second he stops.  Make walks fun - take food or his favourite toy (I'd think about saving that toy just for walks as well at this point) so he realises that leaving the house is fantastic!

If he's not pulling on the lead I personally wouldn't worry about a harness, although it is useful for allowing better communication between him and other dogs - but, if you train him not to pull then that isn't so much an issue as he won't be restricting his own head/neck movement.

I use food treats to make pup forget the lead is on, this encourages walking by your side on a loose lead, which is always better than pulling the pup (or pup pulling you). When pup is fully vaccinated I find it helpful to walk with someone else and their  dog....pup tends to follow the leading dog.

Hi Nikki

I like posts like this as they bring back puppy memories that I thought were long forgotten!

Is he actually playing with it or does he seem a little uncomfortable with it and therefore biting and playing with it? Mine used to bite his lead and roll all around the floor with it as he couldnt understand why it was attached to him!

I invested in a harness which worked a treat. I got it out the other day and its so cute! It would just about fit round his leg now!! Anyway.... the other thing I did was to pick him up, walk him down the round where there were nice smells and interesting things, pop him down and walk back home. He used to get so preoccupied with all that was going on that he soon forgot the lead. Youre right not to pull him as this can cause injury and make them feel that walking is a scary thing which could lead to an up hill battle.

Be patient and im sure you will be walking in no time.
Good luck
Caroline

I agree with Caroline - thats what I advise all my puppy owners to do, and within a couple of days they are fine. 

Thanks for all your help and advice x