Walking problems
Hello all. I have a bit of a problem with my beautiful 13 week old white BT, Peppa. She barely likes to walk on a leash and when she does it's only where she wants to go. At first I thought it was because it was 35 degrees out, shivered, and wanted to go home but now it's like 55. I take her out to potty, which she is doing very well at, and right after she's done she wants to come home. I can barely get her to walk in the direction I want to go unless a person or other dog motivates her. She'll just sit and does not want to move.She is very active at the dog park and populated areas. She's very friendly with every person and other dogs even plays nice with my mom's 3 mo old kittens. Any advice? BTW, I already tried treats for motivation, all she'll do is take a few steps for the treat and stop again! Love her so much though
Comments
I think you'll find quite a few other strings on the forum with people having the same problem... Not infrequent with Bullies. We had a beautiful girl once who had the same problem... Wouldn't walk down the street... Would run in the park, walk through the mall, but found the street BORING! ... To cut a long story short, find an over nourished lazy neighbor who wouldn't mind you walking their dog ( you might have to try a few before you find the right companion for your pup) .. They need to find everything an adventure ... And if you can take two she might get in the habit... Or take a palm frond in the " carrot before the horse" fashion... I found that works.
This is actually a VERY common problem most new BT owners have with bully puppies.
alot ofp eople will tell you to let the puppy get used to wearing the leash by letting them drag it around the house.
when most times what your really teaching is "how to chew on the leash!"
and thats a who new world of problems right there.
What i think is the best way, is to set aside about 10 minutes everyday to play with your puppy while teaching them to enjoy walking on the lead.
#1. attatch the lead to your puppies collar.
#2. grab a few favorite toys, a ball, or a stuffed animal that squeeks, maybe a rope tug.
#3. take your puppy outside and get really excited, hop around, wave the toy in your pups face to encourage them to chase it,
squeek a squeeker toy and encourage the puppy to COME towards you-but remember, puppy needs to be rewarded often and win often so the game stays fun
if you continually dodge away from your puppy and never let them catch you or the toy- they will want to give up.
dont stop the game when puppy gets tierd-stop the game BEFORE your puppy begins to tier out so youll always leave him wanting more.
try to do this twice a day, but once a day is fine too. when the game ends pick your puppy up and take them inside. at this point NEVER drag your puppy
if you drag them your un-doing all theh ard work of posative association towards the eleash.
when your puppy is comfortible 9after about 2 days) of doing this and has alot of fun, you can begin practicing picking hte lead up and holding up above your puppies head while your
encouraging your pouppy to follow you with a toy.
Sometimes this will make puppies a bit upset and they will go back to planting there feet, if this happens simply drop the lead and go back to playing
again-dont use alot of pressure-hold the leash with a single finger simply to get puppy used to it and used to you being in control of the lead.
you can then begin holding the lead often and when puppy seems comfortible you can begin adding small amounts of pressure.
while this way seems slow- it works extremly well for puppies who are nervous about begin lead on the leash.
My girl Chimera was the same way-the second she sen me holdingthe leash she would park it and refuse to move, after a little while of doing this
it was like suddenly one day WAM! she was pulling me on the leash and has never had any problems since and is extremly excited everytime she sees me pick up the leash