When did you start leash walking?

[Cammy Todd]

Hi everyone -

I am brand new to doddlekisses.  Our family got our sweet Izzy (chocolate goldendoodle) almost two weeks ago.  She was 10 weeks yesterday.  For the most part, things are going well.  I am crate training her, she is learning to go potty outside, and we have started on the basic commands (sit, down, shake, ...). 

She adjusts pretty well to most new things . . . except walking on the leash!  After reading some advice, I started just letting her drag the leash around when we were doing some short training sessions- that pretty much got her to stop chewing on it and has drastically reduced how much she bites/nips at the leash.

But . . . when I try to take her on a short walk (we are talking maybe 100-200 yards), she completely freezes and refuses to come.  If I use treats and frequently stop, it is a tiny bit better but not much.  Once we turn around and head back the house, she does A LOT better.  It's like she hates walking already.

I am just trying to make sure she gets plenty of exercise and I really enjoy walking/running, so I wanted to start early.

When did you start walking your doodle on a leash?  I would love any advice you might have!!

[holly b]

We got kucky at 8 weeks and started right away. At first there was a lot of what you were talking about--just standing and freezing, etc. But it was still winter and very cold and snowy out. He got over it quickly. :) Just keep doing what you're doing.

[Kim & Rosie]

Keep working on it just like you're doing. Rosie was the same way, it took some time and now loved going for her walks!!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

This may sound crazy and frustrating but it works: try exercising her BEFORE you walk her. Have her run around a bit, train a bit (mental stimulation tires them) and then try walking when she is a bit more on the tired (vs. energetic/challenging) frame of mind - she will be more agreeable. Also start on the walk like the leader - head high, shoulders back, you step out first and decide where to go. Don't set out for the street until you have her following your every move. Do this by keeping her guessing as to where you will turn next. With Rip, we sometimes went up and down, back and forth, left and right in the driveway before we set out to the neighborhood. Neighbors were forewarned that we were training ;) but seriously, many trainers told me this and it worked well. I remember getting frazzled as he would jump, growl, and bite the leash sometimes - but keep your patience as calm leadership prevails. Treats for good behaviors and ignore or turn away from naughty while being calm and quiet. It can be challenging but keep working. 10 weeks is so young. Patience is key! Are you telling her, "wait" then, "ok!" before feeding? That is a great command to start young, too. Then "wait" transfers to exits, entrances, in/out the car safely, etc. Enjoy!! BTW, welcome to doodlekisses! :)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Training can NEVER start to early. All my pups were use to a leash by the time they left for their new homes at 8-9 weeks.
Every pup will start with putting the brakes on...lots of treats, encouragement and making it fun will help tremendously. Practice and patience! I would walk a few feet..,sit on the ground and love and cuddle....move a little further...more love and cuddling. REPEAT! I would not encourage tug of war and playing with the leash itself, as those will be bad habits that will have to be broken down the road.

[SoSa]

Ace is five months old today. He's been on a leash since he came home at 7 weeks. We leash him on potty breaks and to walk around the yard. We began walking him in the neighborhood when he was finished with ALL of his shots, that was at 16 weeks, so a month ago. He loves going on walks, but he also loves to pull. I use the easy walk harness which makes walks easier but not perfect. He hates the easy walk harness and will run away when he sees me take it off of the hook. But, it really does take some of the stress out of walks. He does have a habit of plopping down and refusing to move. This is where I begin to use the come command with treats. Most of the time that works, but sometimes I have to stand him up to get him to move again. Ace has gotten better when walking without the harness, but when he sees people or a bike, he will pull, a lot. I use these instances to train him to sit and stay. Training him nit to pull is hard. It's a work in progress.

[Carla Williams]

I was in the same boat with my doodle but we started a puppy class at Petsmart at 3 Months old. The trainer told me to leave the leash on the dog while she is in the house for a couple of reasons. 

1) to help the dog get used to having the leash on 

2) is to help you keep track of your dog at all times while in the house. It's just like having a baby in the house, you don't want them to wonder off and get into anything that can hurt them or chew on anything. The leash is there for you to be able to step on and grab the leash before they are off into some trouble. I mainly did this when the family is together watching tv in the family room and we wanted our doodle with us. 

I did this for about 2 months. She no longer has any issues being on the leash.

My doodle is 5 months old now and will stop and freeze when walking. My trainer said  that she is still unfamiliar with her surrounding and may be scared. Mine actually jumps on me when we are walking- signs of being scared and wants to be held. 

I stop and get down on my knees and pet her and tell her it's ok and then keep going. I was also told to not take the same route all the time. I mix our route up  to help my doodle feel more comfortable with her surroundings.

Also, you have to show that you are the Alpha. I believe there was comment that mentioned on this matter. This is HUGE and must focus on it.  

[Corinn Laitre]

This sounds typical of a 10 week old pup :) do be careful where you're walking just because your pup doesn't have immunity against parvo or distemper yet so avoid public places.  Try starting your walks in the house and around the backyard and make sure your expectations are the same on leash no matter where she is.  It's very helpful to attach the leash to ur waist and go about your regular routine with her following for 5-15mins at a time. Ignore the fact that shes there and try to walk through her (gently) instead of around her.  This is a very important skill that must be taught while they're young (spacial awareness!) and to respect the movements of their family during the walks and just while hanging out at home or the dog park later on to avoid being tripped over :P  Be patient at keep at it!  she's still a baby after all so consistency is very important as well as short positive training sessions to set her up for success! Good luck, puppyhood is soo short and before you know it they're grown up! So enjoy it while you can!

[Paul & Michele]

Hi Cammy:) With Lilly when she doesn't walk I will wiggle the slack of the leash in front of her and that usually will get her moving again.

[Erin B]

Butters is 5 months old. She has always been on a leash since I've had her for potty breaks. But I didn't really start "walking" her until she was 16 weeks and had all her shots, since I didn't have a spot that was safe to take her. 

Before that we would practice inside and at the trainers' house. One tip I can share is to practice "let's walk!" or whatever your command is going to be WITHOUT a leash, just getting her used to walking by your side. I did this with a treat in my hand, gently tapping my hip, and I would treat her as soon as she took even a couple of steps by my side. Then you can do the same with the leash on. 

[Kelly & Zoe]

I don't think it's a case of her not wanting to walk, I think it's a case of being apprehensive of 'outside'.  Zoe was like that at first (we did not start walking her until 16 weeks outside, but did a lot of backyard and in house on leash training to get used to it).  It took a week for her to get comfortable walking to the end of the block.  Couple of months until she didn't freak out at the monday morning garbage trucks.  At almost 2 yo, she *loves* her walks, we take her twice a day now, so trust me, she'll get there.

We found out much later that we should not expect more than 5 minutes of a walk for every month old until they are until they are older than 6 months.  And don't make the mistake we did which was running with her too early.  They say to wait at least until 12 months before running as it takes time for the hips and joints to mature.

Couple tricks - bring a treat bag with kibble.  When Izzy balks, throw a treat a couple of feet in front of her and say 'find it'.  You may also want to bring along a soft toy, something she's comfortable with that reminds her of home - a security blanket if you will.  I'm also a fan of the easy walk harness which is a front (chest) attached harness - that worked wonders for biting and pulling.  We still use it.

Good luck!