Walking

[Rose Ann and Amante]

Ok Advice time, Amante is 12 weeks old. I am having a hard time walking him on a leash. He just sits. I have tried encouraging him along with sweet love talk<3. I have tried bribing him along the way with kibble and some really good treats. We get around the block but have probably eaten an entire meal along the way. I no not pull on the leash. I am getting very frustrated. About to consider maybe a Clicker trainer to come to the house. He is perfect every other aspect. He sits, lays down goes on his bed, rings the bell. Perfect.
 The Vet said to give it time. I am still worried about it though. Any suggestions!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

what kind of collar are u using?  just his flat collar or a training collar like pinch, gentle leader etc?

[Rose Ann and Amante]

flat collar right now. I have tried different ones

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We had a Lab that did this same thing. My kids would try and walk her and she would just sit there. Eventually, she grew to love walks. I think I would suggest you enroll your puppy in a puppy class of some kind. Meanwhile, I would just continue to try walking him everyday. Try some upbeat phrases like "Let's go" each time you want him to go. Hopefully, some others will weigh in. Meanwhile, you might want to join the Puppy Group. Good luck!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Give it time. My Spud did not walk.  He laid down.  Played with a leaf or stick.  Picked up a pine cone.  Laid down.  Now he rushes, runs, and I really wish he would stop trying to pull me into the next city.  He is leashed trained when he wants to be but very active.  He was such a sweet, sleepy, mellow baby puppy.  At 12 weeks, you still have a BABY.

Take is slow.  Enjoy your chubby puppy.  Soon.................  he will be a VERY ACTIVE teenager.  Have fun.

[Rose Ann and Amante]

Amante will sit there.  I never pull. If a neighbor walks by he start to whine as if to say help me she is making walk. It is hard not to laugh. Our daily walk has turned into the daily comedy hour. The neighbors all come out to see him and laugh. One couple has actually called it our daily drag.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

At that age sometimes the leash makes them nervous.  I have taken a short lightweight leash and let them drag it around in the house or fenced yard.  Never leave them unsupervised with it on.  It just allows them to get used to the leash.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The vet is right. He is a baby.  Others have given you really good advice. I would use a different collar than a regular flat one though. I would use a martingale or a training collar (i.e. choke chain) for walks.

[Adina P]

I agree...he's really young.  In NO time he will suddenly be pulling you down the sidewalk.  Enjoy the mellowness for now =)

One thing you might want to do is take him out to a school yard (since it's summer) and put him on a long leash (15 feet or so) and frolic around out there.  Walks don't have to be in a straight line down the sidewalk.  Maybe he'd be more interested in moving in a different location.  Although I realize he's only 12 weeks so might not be done with his vaccinations.

What is YOUR goal in the walk?  Are you trying to get him exercise or just think it would be fun already to walk with your dog?  In any case, HE doesn't really need 'walks' as much as time to play and run and learn things and see the world.  I am willing to bet in no time he'll give you a run for your money on walks.  But I wouldn't worry about it right now.

[Rose Ann and Amante]

I want a walking companion. I want to walk myself thin lol! I am thankful for the advise. He just sits there. When neighbors walk by he whines on cue as to say help me she is making me walk. It quite funny actually. I know not to pull him. I just feel that it more like a daily drag the walk!!!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I think he is still very young.  Does he follow you around the house or outside at all?  I used the leash on in the house a lot before we went outside and that did help.  I wouldn't worry at this stage.  You may also be catching him at a time when he just wants to rest.  Puppies sleep a lot at this age.  Catch him when he is in a high energy phase and then just take him again .  I use the clicker.  You need to get his attention and get him to make eye contact so that when you encourage him along he is looking at you.  Check out the KIKOPUP videos on clicker training that's what I used and I now have a puppy who walks (most of the time) on the leash beside me.  Clicker training is really easy and if you watch all the videos you can do it without the need for classes.  If you feel you need extra help by all means go to a puppy class.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Sasha and Oliver did this too when they were very young like Amante.  Believe me..... in no time he will get the hang of it.  I would take Sasha out every night and for weeks she would just sit and she seemed to be a bit scared.  I was persistant with a little walk each night then after about 4 weeks she was pulling me down the street and then I had to get the gentle leader so she would not pull.  Same with Oliver he was just all over the place and did not know how to walk on a leash... again I was persistant and in a few weeks time he knew what to do.   Please don't worry its what they do.. good luck

[Rose Ann and Amante]

Thanks  everyone for walking advise. I have tried several different leashes. I am going to sign him up for puppy classes as soon as he has all his shots.