well my puppy is finally allowed out and now im having a challenge with the lead. 

from my naivity i thought she'd just start walking after a few mins! how wrong was i?!!

i got her used to a collar gradually and kept clipping the lead on her letting it dangle in the house so she can walk in the house with it on but she just stands looking scared and only walking a few steps!!i took her out yest and she wouldnt even go out of the front door until i coaxed her with some cheese!!when she was finally outside she stood still and if i pulled gently she started jumping in the air (in the same spot!)not moving.

the only way i could get her to move was with bits of cheese and when that ran out she stopped!!was a bit worried about feeding her too much cheese so didnt wanna feed too much!she starts puppy school in a week so hopefully wont take too long!!

anyone got any advice?!!or am i doing the right things?!

Thanks

Gemma

Sounds like you're going the right way, just letting her trail the lead around the house so she is used to the feel of the collar and lead. With the puppies I've just had, they just froze when I tried to encourage them to move too, the first couple of times, and I needed chicken or cheese to get them to take a few steps. Of course the outside world is a bit startling as well as the feeling of the lead! Try leading her round a little in the house or back garden as well as giving her more time to adjust to the outside. I'm sure she'll be fine a week or so! :-)

I get my puppies used to their collar and leads from day one when I bring them home. I put their collar and leads on for a minute or two a few times a day which seems to get them used to it.   You could try putting her collar and lead on and taking her to her food each time, or to something else she likes in the house, this way she should begin to associate it with things she likes?  And very soon she will like her walks too.  

I think you are going about it the right way, but maybe, since you arent wanting to feed her a lot of cheese, then try using a portion of her meal.  So when you take her out, maybe do it at the time for her meal, and use the kibbles as treats, so she is not getting so much cheese, which can cause an upset tummy. 

Sometimes pups, no matter how used they are to the leash dangling, the first comple times when you are holding the leash, its new to them so they react the way you are describing.

Good luck, and keep up the hard work!!!!!!

Practise walking her round the back garden on the lead, then when shes happy and not even noticing she has it on, take her into the big wide world!

Its all about confidence building :)

Many years ago I had a terrier breed that had a fit when the lead was put on.  Letting her trail it round the house was totally pointless, as that isn't what she objected to.  Fortunately she loved her food, and I used that, not treats.  She was on 4 meals a day, and I put her lead on while I was getting grub ready.  Totally focussed on her dish, I picked the lead up, and walked to the back door.  She never noticed her lead, as she wouldn't take her eyes off her dish!  I walked all the way to the top of the garden, and back in the kitchen, and praised her, and gave her the bowl.  After doing it 4 times a day it was amazing how quickly she just ignored the lead, and within a week we were doing outside walks. 

Do you know any friendly neighbourhood dogs you could walk with. My eldest boy was a nightmare but the other 3 subsequent dogs have been great they can't wait to get out for a walk with their elders lead or no lead they don't care. But you will need to do some one to one with your pup also and stick to the 5 min/permonth of age rule. But walking with a more confident adult will get your pup over the 'Im not walking on this thing' stage:-)
Angela

yesterday we went out with a friend who has a very well behaved dog and she didnt seem to follow.  i took her to the park this morning which was more successful.  all of the distractions and different smells meant she walked round but if i tried to get her in my direction by making the lead tighter she starts jumping so hopefully with a few more tries we'll get there!!

Thats great, sounds like you're making progress . Continue as you are and she will be trotting along before you know it. :-) A tip: Before allowing the lead to go tight call her name and when she looks at you give her a tasty treat (immediately!) and gradually build up to her stepping up to you to get her treat and so on til she will follow.
Good Luck!!
Angela

I always go to an open area carrying the pup. I put the pup down attached to a longish lead 6' approx and then wait till pup starts to move. I FOLLOW the pup - trying my best not to put any tension on the lead. If you've been a horse rider you may be aware of the concept of contact and soft hands - It will help.  When it's going well I try to encourage smallish circles until pup is following me. I never pull.
It will really help with walking your pup through to adulthood, don't pull back on the pups lead and it wont begin to pull you.

' I never pull' Sorry thats what I meant! :-)