Walking a Puppy

[Jenny & Henry]

I leash Henry on his potty breaks, and then he gets free time from the leash when we go to the other side of the yard for playtime.  He is used to the leash now and don't fight it but yesterday I tried to walk him like 40 feet around my sidewalk and he didn't know what was going on and I didn't want to pull on him.  When are they able to start walking on a leash to actually take a short walk?

[Jo11]

Hi There

Ruby was the same way. I originally was using a harness type leash but she would just sit down and not move.  A walk around the block took 30 minutes!. Then I decided to try one of those extended leashes.

This worked much better - she could run back and forth like a maniac!

I use a regular leash now, but sometimes I use the extended leash so she can run out some of her energy

Jo

 

[Jenny & Henry]

I think I'd be carrying him if I actually tried to take him around the block.  HA  Maybe I will try an extended leash, it's like he just don't know what to do as I am sure he hasn't a clue yet.  I do have a harnass too so I don't tug his neck at all.

 

 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

You can start any time.  The biggest reason people might say no is because of any germs that might be out there until your puppy has had all his shots by 4 months.  He will be fine unless you live in an area where there are tons of dogs.  Also, keep him away from sniffing any poop are tinkle areas if you come across any.  I was always told to keep off the grass in strange areas until after the shots.  We got Gracie at 6 weeks and had her on a leash and starting the walking by 7 weeks.  We videoed it and it is very cute!

[Jenny & Henry]

My vet said the same thing about taking him out around my house and in areas I know, he said this time of socialization is too important to keep him locked up in a fenced in yard, so we are gonna get him more acclimated to outside the fence but obviously stay away from big dog gathering areas (parks, pet stores). 

 

My issue is when I put him on the leash he don't walk along with me next to the leash and I have to tug at him and I don't really like that and neither does he.  I am sure the more opportunity he gets the more it will click for him.  Now we just need the rain to go away! 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

You really shouldn't use one of the extending leashes.  Most dogs get trained to heal by leash commands and those leashes won't work.  Besides they are completely dangerous and many of us hate them.  Some places they are illegal!  Once you have read about them you will never use them.  People have lost fingers getting wrapped and pulled as well as the dog can get his leg caught and get hurt.  The standard leash and the maximum allowed in most classes and dog parks is 6 feet.  A harness is fine but if you start classes, depending on which technique is used, you will be asked to change to a collar and probably a 3 ft. leash at first.  There are many ways of training though and it all depends on how you want to do it and which trainer you chose.  We live in a cul de sac and so when we started walking Gracie we only did a house or two in distance.  Just enough to start getting the idea.

[Adina P]

I agree.  The goal of leash training is to train your dog to walk willingly with a loose leash--not pulling or tightening the leash as it goes every which way it chooses.  Flexi/extended leashes are always tight and given this fact it is impossible to train anything using them except how to pull. (the one exception I'd say is perhaps for practicing a recall where YOU are reeling in the dog to you).

[Jo11]

Hi Everyone

Just want to clarify that I used the extended leash to get her used to walking. In no way did I let her get tangled or pull till she reached the end! My goal wasn't to hurt my puppy!

I now use a regular leash and she heels without a problem.

The odd time that I do use an extended leash (if we are going on long long walks), she still heels, but I let her sniff a a bit more during the longer walks)

Didn't mean to offend or suggest that anyone harm their puppy!

 

Jo

 

 

 

[Adina P]

I think the 'danger' is not THAT common.  But with a retractable leash it is my understanding that the leash is always tight...it CAN NOT be loose.  Is that actually false?  Can you set the leash so it is loose and not pulled tight in a straight line?  Ideally a dog on a loose leash is walking with the leash totally hanging limply in a "J" that starts under their collar, dips below and then goes up to your hand.

[Jenny & Henry]

Just wanted to update that Henry took two walks this weekend and did great.  I had my husband next to me and daughters out in front and he just trotted right around the whole block.  It was great too, he saw kids on scooters, horse and buggy's, kids on bikes.  He did great.  He did pull some trying to keep up with the girls, but then would settle pretty quick.  I have not even begun reading yet on really teaching him, I was just glad to get him out and walking and he seemed real happy to be doing it.  :D

[Jenny & Henry]

Oh and I am just using my 6 foot leash for the moment. 

[Gregg Aprahamian]

My pup was 10 weeks old when I got him and he did amazing on the leash for the first time and every time since, up to 3 days ago, as he is now becoming a puller???? I don't know what changed, but maybe he is just being a stronger pup at 15 weeks old.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Did you start using a retractable leash?  I think they encourage the puppy to pull.