My Sister has a lovely 17 week old Mini Schnauzer boy and she has had him since he was 9 week's old. The problem she has is as soon as she commences walking on a lead and walks out of the gate onto the drive, he sits down on the drive and doesn't want to budge. If she tries to coax him and pulls him gently, he will dig his heals in and put his head down refusing to budge. If she continues to try and pull him, he lies down to make it more difficult. We know that there isn't a problem with his legs as when he is in the garden he is really lively. She has tried treats to get him moving and as even tried jogging with him all with mixed success. He has recently started training club and the same thing happened in there. The trainer seemed to think that it is a lack of confidence although he seems very confident with people, children and around other dogs, for his age, he seems very comfortable around strange events etc. He doesn't shy away at all. My Sister is worried about forcing him to walk when he clearly doesn't want to. What is causing the problem do you think and how can we help her with this, and if it's happened to any one else, how long will it last? Any ideas please, my Sister is getting very worried. Thanks.

Hiya

Schnauzers can be difficult because of the Terrier in their breeding :D

They can be taught to walk on lead but it takes a lot of time & patience. I would suggest she tries the opposite to what she is doing, carry him down the drive & with titbits if he likes treats walk BACK to the front door. If she can het a friend to help if he doesn't want to follow her. The friend should hold the lead & your sister go to the front door & call him to her the friend can then walk with him holding the lead towards the door & your sister. She can gradually lenghten the distance down the drive & then out of the drive, but always towards the house.

She can use this technique outside the house & in the park. I would suggest she does not try to pull him or drag him as he will not enjoy this & could put him off.

She could try a little heelwork in the garden & if he refuses to walk stand in front of him while he has his lead on & call him to her then went he comes start walking

I'm surpise the training club did not suggesr something like this

The problem as I see it is that dogs don't see 'coaxing' as encouragement, they see it as reward for what they are doing. I'd get your sister to let him get to the end of the drive, then hold out a titbit for him, which he only gets if he walks forward a step..... Alternatively she could investigate clicker training and use this to train him to walk out of the gate - he's obviously concerned about what will happen if he crosses the threshold (may other bigger dogs use it as a 'notice board' - ie where they wee?)

Digger. what do you mean by "threshold" etc. I don't understand.

The threshold is the front doorstep........ or in this case the boundary of his territory.

Hi,
I have a cross terrier, and when she was younger I had the same problem.
When the lead was 1st introduced, she saw it as something that took her freedom away, as she loved to do her own thing.
Even though you are nervous about how strict you should be with the pup, dont show him he can get his own way, or they will take advantage.
Instead, just keep walking with your dog, not making as much eye contact when he's bad, but if he really struggles, like mine did, a sharp "come!" or "heal!" (or what ever word you wish to use to get your dog to follow you) should work!
Dont take him out of the garden straight away, maybe just get him used to the lead, walk him around the garden a few times-not in a circle, as some pups get bored quickly-and try some basic commands with him.... DONT FORGET, every time your dog walks properly on the lead, or obeys a command, make sure you give them lots of prais, not always in the form of treats, as they may get too used to the idea, and wont obey, unless for a treat (like my dog did)... instead, use hugs, and just generally fuss over him.

GOOD LUCK!

Luv Lea.
x

would it help if another dog walks in front....?

Thanks for the replies, we did try walking him down the drive with my 8 month old min but he was still quite reluctant. She has tried with the treats waiting until he has taken a few steps but then he sits down again and she has to use quite a lot of treats to get him to the end of the drive/close. This morning, she took him out in the car to a park and he was fine. She is going to try giving him a little less attention particularly eye contact when he sits down because she may be rewarding him for not walking. What do you suggest though when he just won't move.

.... a Skateboard????
does your sister have a front garden of sorts? maybe try 'hanging out' with him out there for a bit, get a few toys and other familiar things and let him watch what happens 'out the front', he may just be experiencing anxiety of the new and unknown.