Puppy walking gone wrong?

[Nikki & Charlie]

So Charlie is just shy of three months old and I've started taking him for 1-2 short walks a day. I don't go far, just around the block. I know I'm not the only one with this problem but all he wants to do is sit! He walks for a bit and then sits, and I feel like I have to drag him around. He LOVES to people watch and he's always pulling to go smell something or try to eat something. I've been walking him the "proper" way, keeping the leash short and not allowing him to walk ahead of me but I feel bad because he's trying so hard to pull forward that I feel like he's choking lol. I pick him up and carry him for a bit because I can't tell if he's tired or lazy. And when we get home, even though he seems tired, he's full of energy again!

Does this pass? At what age did your doods stop pulling and sitting every 5 seconds? Any tips on how I can get him to stop pulling so much?

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

You might check into the Petsafe Easywalk Harness. I've used it for our doodle and it makes walking him SO much easier.
Btw, Charlie is a cutie.

[Nikki & Charlie]

Sorry for the late reply lol. Thank you!! He's growing so quickly. I was speaking to someone at petsmart and they told me not to get a harness until he knows how to walk with a collar and regular leash... something about how using a harness doesn't "fix" the problem. But I'm not sure if this is accurate?

[Barbara Korber]

Hi, Gus was like that too until we starting using the Easy Walk harness.  It has made a world of difference for us with the pulling.  He still stops to watch anything and everything and occasionally sits down or lays down on cool grass, and he's 6 months old. As far as picking things up to eat them, yes, Gus is always looking for stuff.  You just have to be on the watch and take it away if he gets it.  Some people have had luck with the Gentle Leader which goes around the mouth.  I haven't tried that yet.  Good luck with your pup! 

 

[Nikki & Charlie]

 I was speaking to someone at petsmart and they told me not to get a harness until he knows how to walk with a collar and regular leash... something about how using a harness doesn't "fix" the problem. But I'm not sure if this is accurate or not. I've heard a lot about the Easy Walk and the Gentle Leader. Charlie is just shy of 4 months so I'm not sure if that's too soon .. I don't know lol

[Toni Clayton]

I also use a front lead harness. It works great. As far as the stopping and sitting, it's just a matter of keeping them moving. Remember, they aren't born knowing how to walk on a lead, and need to learn. Plus, everything is new to them. I used treats in the beginning and the words, Let's go to get him moving. George is going on 6months, and he will sometimes still sit, but if he won't come with let's go, I call him over, put him in sit and watch me and then treat. Then we usually get moving again. Some people use a teaser toy to keeps the pups moving (a long pole with a toy on the end). You just have to try and see what works for you. 

[Nikki & Charlie]

Thanks so much for your suggestions!

[Jen W]

Before I got my puppy I daydreamed about all of the long, leisurely walks we'd take together.  But then I got her and walk time was a nightmare because of exactly what you are describing.  I dreaded walk time.  The harness saved my sanity.

I also took a leash walking class at the local Zoom Room training center which helped immensely.  She'll be 2 in October and she still likes to sniff around at things, but she knows the "let's go!" command means start walking.  She also will sit down on occasion and if I know it's because she's tired (at the end of a longer walk) or hot (she's always hot!) I will let her rest for a bit before saying "let's go!".

[Nikki & Charlie]

Haha that made me laugh because that's exactly how I feel. I dread walking him.. I never know how the walk will turn out and I feel like i'm pulling him along more than anything. He's in puppy classes right now but he's only had 2 classes so far so hopefully I'll see an improvement. At what age did you get the harness for your pup?

[Kelly & Zoe]

+1 on the Easy Walk harness.  Rule of thumb (which we did not know until much later) 5 mins for every month old they are is about what you can reasonably expect for a walk until at least 8-9 months (unless you are really lucky).  A few more things I can recommend:

• always bring water - *most* of the time Zoe sat down she was thirsty
• Bring a bag of kibble - when Charlie gets the 'sits' drop one a few feet ahead and say 'find it'.  rinse and repeat
• Pick up a stick and hold it while Charlie gnaws on it. this will often get us several blocks.

Zoe is 13 months now and we finally have 'normal' walks where we don't have any of that behavior - she sometimes *still* flops on a nice lawn when the mood strikes her.  We let her.

It will get better!  Good luck!

[Nikki & Charlie]

Thank you!! I also forget to bring a treat or something along but whenever I do remember, it definitely helps. Thanks for your suggestion!

[Melissa Bissell]

Yes!  We went through the same thing and still do to a certain degree.  Use treats!!!  Have you started training classes???  That really helps.  In classes you will learn a lot about recall and heeling.  I use all of those techniques  during walks.  Also, for us, I couldn't walk Hugo at all, my husband had to because Hugo just wanted to eat my leg.  We have cured him of that and we walk every morning and often in the evening as well.  The treats help tons!!!  And we have a harness now also that works nicely. 

[Nikki & Charlie]

Yes he's actually just attended his second class! So I'm hoping that helps as well. Thank you for your suggestions