Hi All

Quick question, I have got a 10 week old patterdale pup. She is tiny (1.8kg) and have been trying to lead train her. We call her and try and encourage her to walk on the lead to and from the car (she has just had her 2nd jab so not walking just yet)

As soon as I start walking she stops dead and waits for us to pick her up. I call her and try and get her to walk but no matter what I seem to do she won't. On one occassion I took her off the lead and she went straight to the toilet (wee) and then she is ok for a bit.

We are able to go and take her for first walks now and so wanted to know tips.... We are using a tiny little puppy harness.

Thanks
Michie x

Before attempting walking her let the lead trail behind her in the house so she can get used to it.

And maybe in the garden whilst playing with her - also use VERY VERY tasty titbits for encouragement when you are holding the lead.

My Irish Setter was the same when she was a pup just sat staring up at us wondering what we wanted :)

Good luck

Rachel

been there and done that with first dog, subsequent dogs have been fine cos they have just followed the older ones.

We tried all amount of bribery and coaxing but nothing worked, in the end we carried him to field we were going to, took his favourite toy and played loads with the lead still on, in the end he had forgot about it and walked happily home.  Never had a problem after that as he then knew that having the lead on meant good things happen.  You have to remember its a big scary world out there to a pup.

My BT did the very same when a puppy. We took him down the beach as lived right next door and would just lie there. Once we got him home would take off his harness and would bomb about like mad.. he hated the harness as it would pinch under his front legs.. quiet sensitive skin there, might be rubbing her when she walks or runs ? I would try just a collar and lead at first see how she gets on with that ?

Thanks for that! She has a collar and she doesnt mind wearing that so might get her to run around with the lead on when we are out playing in the garden!

Will let you know how I get on!!

Think this is a common problem and leaving the lead trailing the dog around the house does work. They are not going to sit in one place for long, mind you, you may have to sacrifice a lead to chewing. And that is a problem because if they become used to chewing they may be a pain snatching at the lead when you are trying to walk them. But one thing at a time and a house lead is the way to go.

I'd try food or a toy. My Chinese Crested was quite a challenge in the first few weeks but soon got the idea that going out was fun. I did lead training inside and that was fine, it was just the big wide world outside the front door that worried her!!

My English Springer was like this to begin with, I used to put him in the bottom of the buggy on the way to school due to time reasons then on the way back he got dragged it was walk or get pulled along he soon got the idea.....lol