Stubborn on leash.

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Hi everybody. I am so happy to be here and be able to talk to experienced doodle owners :) Oscar is a 12 weeks old Goldendoodle who is quick to learn his tricks but not so quick to learn walking on the leash. He sometimes just sits or lays down on the grass and looks at me like I have lost my mind wanting him to walk. Any ideas about how to convince him to listen to my "come" command? There are spots with grass around my building where he just loves to lay down on and not move. Sometimes I dropp his leash and walk away a little and he comes to me running, but so stubborn when I lightly pull on his leash and say come. Thank you for any imputs and ideas :)

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Our puppy kindergarten instructor taught us to walk the dog to our side and feed kibble from your hand, kept at your side.  I get a fist full and then bring one or two into my two fingers and feed.  the more distraction, the more you feed.  she likes to use a clicker, but that's too much coordination for me.  I make the kiss sound and say good boy.  keep him at a quick pace and with a short leash.  

I have not been walking our year old lately, my DH took over the job.  He just had surgery however, so I am back at it.  This morning there was a labrador that came up behind us.  Quincy wanted to say  hello in the worst way, and kept pulling me backward.  he tends to ignore treats at moments like this.  well I kept tugging and he kept pulling...finally the little bugger just layed down flat in the middle of the road!  flat!  He is a brat!  And I suspect his DD let him get away with those kind of shenanigans!  

the above excluded, the treat as you go generally works well!  

Your 12 weeker is adorable and still a baby, so be patient. Practice in doors where there are no distractions.

 I would also try to gauge if he is really tired or too hot, as well.  

Have fun!  

[Adina P]

He's young and will benefit from obedience training -- formal not casual.  Then you'll start to see the difference you want.  .

[Anja]

I so feel for you. My now 2 1/2 year old Eskipoo (American Eskimo/Poodle) used to do that as a puppy. All the leash walking tricks they taught me in puppy class did not work on him and he could have cared less for the treats at that moment. It was rather frustrating. While he is still very stubborn and sometimes tries to challenge me to walk in the direction he wants to go rather than where I think we should be going he has grown out of it for the most part. Using an easy walker harness to walk him has helped a lot too. Good luck and may you have plenty of patients.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

"Any ideas about how to convince him to listen to my "come" command?"  Remember that he is a 12 week old puppy who has no clue about your "come command", nor does he really care.  You need a training program that will show him what you're expecting and then provide the motivation for him to do what you ask.

[Moe]

My doodle was reluctant to leave home she would sit down and refuse to move. I found that driving to a park or unfamiliar place worked wonders.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Most dogs will not walk on grates for fear of catching their paws or feet. My dogs go around gratings. Cattle and deer guards rely on this.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Hi Marta ~  At 12 weeks, I think it is probably more the fact he is so young.  Beau did the same thing (and he even had a big brother to follow).  Working with him for 5 minutes at a time a couple of times a day makes a big difference rather quickly.  Beau was not ready for formal obedience until he was 6 months old.  And then when we did go to formal obedience (after the 8 week class), his instructor tested him for the All Star Puppy AKC and then CGC all in the same morning and he passed with flying colors.   

Your little Oscar is just a doll. Just be gentle with him, coax him with treats and he will want to do anything you want him to.  My instructor suggested whenever you say "come" and they do - you have a party!  Treat treat treat.  The 3 feet around you, should be the best place in the world for your little guy. 

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Just a quick thought - The natural reaction of most animals, including dogs and humans is to resist being pulled, that is to remain stationary or to pull back. Think about if someone to walk by you sitting in a chair, say something unintelligible, grab your hand or arm and pull on it.  You would almost certainly resist -  it's just instinct.

 

That's why treating to teach walking beside you is so helpful.