Defiant while on the leash??

[Stephanie]

I wanted to ask about other's 'leash walking' progress. Brody does fairly well about not running ahead and pulling on the leash. But on a fairly regular basis he will sit down, dig his paws into the ground and lean back, pulling on the leash as we walk ahead of him. As if to say... "Nope...we're going at my pace or not at all!!!" Or if we start going in a direction that he doesn't want to go in, he'll do this. He will *usually* get up and start walking again if we loosen the leash (take a step backwards). But I don't want to give him the idea that he can determine the pace or direction in which we walk by stopping every time he does this.

Anybody else have this problem? Any suggestions on what we should do.

At this point, if he gets really stubborn and won't start walking again once we loosen the leash, we are calling him to us with "Brody, Come" and its a crap shoot whether he does or not...if he doesn't we gently pull on his leash (pulling him to us) until he starts walking towards us again. He's becoming more and more defiant as he gets older though...

Also, just to mention...if we are inside, or if we're not in the middle of one of these "tantrums" then he comes to us without fault. Just thought that might be helpful...

[Adina P]

I wouldn't call it "Defiant" yet--just young puppy figuring things out. I personally would put either a martingale collar or choke chain (yes I know it sounds terrible...it's not and the way you'll use it will not involve choking) and just keep walking forward when he stops. The momentum of you walking will pop him back up and he'll have no choice but to keep walking. If he thinks getting dragged is more fun, then move this exercise onto the grass and do it in your backyard first. Maybe take some treats or put peanut butter on the end of a wooden spoon so he can reach it without you having to bend over and that will get his brain moving and wanting to keep up.

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

I can vouch for the choke chain as well - my Mocha was soooo bad at walking..pulling...tripping me etc..... it was a total work out. I just got a choke (well pinch) collar and oh my gosh - totally different dog. I thought I would NEVER put one of those on my dogs ever. They honestly are fine... the dogs don't mind at all!! We will be walking sooo much more!! Which is good..I have my brothers wedding coming up next Sept...and I need to loose some weight!!! LOL!!

[Tamara & Giada]

He is very young, I would never force a puppy into walking. I don't think this is at all defient behavior. I would just try again later. Do you use treats? Treats always helps a pup to follow you. I am much more for positive techniques unless it is dangerous behavior.

[Stephanie]

We haven't used treats while walking with him. He gets one when he pottys outside, but not while walking...so we'll try that for a little bit. I guess at his young age defiant is a bit harsh...but he sure seems pretty defiant when he digs his paws into the ground, leans back, and looks away from me! LOL My little turd bucket!

My problem is I don't want him to learn that its okay to just STOP while we're walking...thats why I don't just let him have his way. Also, I know he has to pee, and he knows what we're doing...where we're going...he acts all axcited to go out, then just STOPS!?! I don't get it... I usually end up dragging him until he decides to walk.

We will try the choke collar as well. We used this on my Golden and it worked wonders, I was just a little worried Brody might be too young for it. But knowing that others have used it with their pup I feel much better.

Thanks for your thoughts and tips everyone!!

[SusieM]

Hi, Stephanie: Oaklee was doing all of the above during our walks and I was running out of ideas to get her going in the right direction. A few weeks ago, we started using a plastic-type pinch collar and it worked WONDERS. Although she still likes to grab stuff off the ground and sometimes wonder off course, our walks have become really enjoyable. I only heard her make a noise about the pinch collar once and that was on the first night we used it. After that, it's been smooth sailing.
I felt pretty funky about using this type of collar, but consulted with our vet, who said to go for it.

[Sue & Willy Babe]

Willson use to be like that too and My trainer said to use treats, I put the treat in my left hand, leash in right and he has been a lot better, He seemed to be "Stuck" when we were by another puppy's house, or even out of our drive way, I then re-started by going slow maybe one house turn around and go back, and then the next day a little bit further. I also tried going the other way. Willson doesn't even needs treats now, How old is Brody I didn't see his age.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

A pull on a leash either forward or backward or sideways stimulates a instintive response to pull back from any animal including humans. If he sits or balks, with a loose leash, make a clucking sound or a low whistle or pat your leg AND MOVE AWAY FROM HIM while you are doing this - the idea is to give him something else to think about (whistle, pat etc) and stimulate the instinct to follow by moving away- as soon as he gets up and gets even with your leg say "good dog" or give a small treat. As you are moving nicely along be sure to "good dog" or treat occasionally. If all else fails leave the lead loose and turn your back on him and show total disinterest. You can outwait him - he will get up. Then walk in the direction he is going for a few steps and then turn in the direction you wish to go. Do not "good dog" or treat Just pretend the whole thing did not happen. If your puppy is very young you can not really expect to make much forward progress on a "walk" for awhile. I think it is helpful to leave the lead on a young puppy while he is in the house, soon he forgets he has it and it also provides a helpful handle for training him, he will not be able to turn everything into a game of chase, as you can just calmly step on the lead to prevent this.

[Ali]

My suggestion is to use treats. My trainer told me puppies are too young to use choke collars or pinch collars. It is best to stick with a flat collar, the same kind of corrections can be made on the regular collar with the same kind of response. I used lots and lots of treats. Anytime she started lagging behind, I would say "follow", and once she caught up I would treat her. She loved this. She also started expecting treats and looking to me for direction. Once she gets good you can phase out the treats. Good luck with everything.

[Stephanie]

It doesn't matter if I have a WHOLE BAG of treats right in my hand where he can see them...he just doesn't care!

Update: We tried a choke collar for a couple days and we have since gone back to his regular flat collar and he is much better. He no longer 'sits' while walking...now we're at the 'I'm walking you, mama' stage! LOL But this is much easier to deal with than the 'Uhuh...I'm not moving!' stage we went through.

We're also doing alot more to become the 'pack leaders' of the house and I think this is helping as well.

Thanks for all your thoughts everyone.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Stephanie, Have you ever try walking with a treat in your left hand? We use that bribe in our off leash class. If you haven't this may work if Brody is anything like Samantha. I start by making sure Samantha sees it, smells it, licks it but is not allowed to have it. Then I tell her to walk nicely. Once she is for a few feet I let her have the treat (we started using her kibble as her treats because her stomach would get upset with so many cookies). The treat is for walking nicely. I would start and stop and give the cookies until she understood that she will get them by doing what she is asked.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Do you have Brody signed up for Puppy Kindergaten?