Leash Training

[Preston and Kelly Pouteaux]

Hey everybody! Thanks for the warm welcome. My husband and I just entered the exciting world of owning a doodle. Matty, our 9 week old labradoole, is a chewer and we're trying to introduce her leash. The problem: she thinks it's big dental floss and wants to eat it! Putting it on her in the house and letting her drag it around doesn't work because she just lays down an proceeds to try to saw it in half with her razor sharp teeth. Outside she just sits on her haunches and true to bite at the leash. Any suggestions?

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Welcome to Dk and the wonderful world of having a doodle family member. Go to the hardware store and buy about 50 feet of thin nylon cord and four snaps ( like the end of a leash, sort of). Make 4 cheap "leashes". Put the expensive leash away to use when Matty is about 16 weeks and has all of her shots and can go for a walk in the big world. Matty should have a "leash" on her all the time she is out of her crate and in your sight. If she is out of her crate, she should be in your sight. You can buy more line and make longer leashes and tie her to you if you want, which some call umbilical training.

If she chews up one or two of these leashes, you've only lost a couple of dollars. If she has plenty of other chew toys and you don't pay any attention to her when she chews on the "leash" she will soon forget she has it on. Having Matty totally unaware that she is connected to a ten cord will be very useful for reenforcing already taught commands when she gets older. It is also very useful for house training. Don't worry to much about "walking" her on it except for a few minutes in your backyard. Mostly for the first few weeks let her "walk" you - she leads, you follow, no tension on "leash". If she stops and sits you stop and wait, don't look at her. If you get bored turn a bit away from her and do something interesting like wiggling a bush branch or scratching the grass, Matty will come and check it out. Isn't she smart?

Keeping Matty in your sight, all of the time she out of the crate will save you zillions of problems and bond her to you. It's okay to take turns keeping her in your sight. Puppies check out everything, usually with their teeth. (no opposable thumbs). If you are close you can constantly replace chair legs, electric cords, pillows, etc with a toy. If you have to get up to get a toy, buy more toys. This surprisingly will lead to even an under one year old puppy going to the toy box most of the time for something to play with, instead of always grabbing the nearest shoe.

Pupppies are so cute and fun you want to be able to see them anyway so you can LOL at them. Have fun and put her in her crate when you have had enough puppy fun for awhile. It isn't mean, it's reassuring and puppies need a lot of sleep.

LLL with your puppy. Enjoy

[Preston and Kelly Pouteaux]

Wow, Thanks for the great info Maryann. We're implimenting it as of today. I appreciate the time you spent writing all the details.
Kelly

[Karen & Lucy]

These are all great tips. Matty is only 9 weeks old and it is going to take some time, but she will come around. Be patient and enjoy your puppy.

[Preston and Kelly Pouteaux]

Perfect! Thanks.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin had this problem when we first got him as well. We just kept correcting him. Every time he put his mouth on his leash, we would tell him no, and pull it out of his mouth. It only took him a few days before he stopped.

[Lynn D.]

Use a chain leash or "cable" like leash. My 30ft tie out is chew resistant.

[Ginny Nightingale]

If Matty (I have a Mattie, too!) gets older and still chews, my trainer recommended putting a bit of Vicks vaporub on it-- most dogs do not like menthol.
But I think the previous advice is just perfect and will serve you well. She probably will improve once she has lots of stuff to chew on. Keep that stuff around all the time for now.
AND...she is so cute! Enjoy!