Leash training a puppy

[marlafish]

It has been YEARS since Ive had a puppy in the house....
I work and dont really have time for obedience school.....raised 2 others without it, but i forgot!!!!!
Lucy is a springer spaniel and was born Aug 6th so still kinda young....I have a lite weight nylon collar and leash for her ....but she bites the leash. When i try to walk her she balks and flips around. I didnt push it for toooo long Lucy being young and alll but she HAS to learn right?!!! any tips PLEASE

[doogie]

I have a 6 month old Golden Retriever that does the same thing... and has since the very first time I took her for a walk. She does it for approx the first 100 yards of each walk, then seems to give up and go about her walking! What I do is when she bites the leash, I stop walking, grab the leash as close to her mouth as I can, and I tell her to "drop it"... which she does... but then two feet further she does it again... again, I stop and ask her to drop it. This usually continues for a few mins - then she forgets all about it and walks like a good dog. I don't know if that is any help or not.

[marlafish]

I will try your suggestion doogie....and thanks for replying.... But at what week of age did you start the walking....and when do I start with the sitting...I want a calm puppy but as I said sometimes Lucy is a [img]graemlins/flamingmad.gif[/img] Lucifer...please any more advice!!!

[fullhouse9873]

You can start with the sit now. Definately get her while she's young. Just don't be too demanding or expect too much (she is only a baby). Make a game of it, or incorporate it into a daily activity. My pup learned sit by having to sit before any meal or treat. Then we gradually started having him sit at various times. He's got the hang of it now (sometimes!)

[doogie]

I started walking my dog right away... she was 8 weeks old... and she would jump and bite at the leash... just like she still does now... only difference is that she can jump a lot higher and bite a lot harder now! I took her out for a walk last night, and everytime she would bite the leash, I'd stop walking and tell her "drop it!" - she eventually gave up after a few 100 feet - and we had a nice 3 mile walk. As for sitting, I taught her to sit right away. She knows she will not get her food or a treat until she sits!

[marlafish]

[img]smile.gif[/img] Thanks I like the idea of sitting before a treat or meal... I have been making her sit before each throw of the ball then fetch...but I like it incorporated into her food!~~~ She likes her food!!!!
As to walking..... it seems like a lost cause, but I will keep trying... I have made her stop and drop Doogie as you suggested...We dont get very far.... I figure I better not push it but 5 minutes at a time now. Thanks for the tips you two, we will keep at it. [img]tongue.gif[/img] any more......i just want a calm dog!!!

[fullhouse9873]

I would try going for a long walk. Let your dog know that you're not going to let her get away with biting the leash. If you give in - she'll pick up on it. Try setting aside a block of time to go for a nice, long walk. The exercise might tire her out a little too!

[doogie]

That is one thing they taught me in puppy training class... NEVER give in to your puppy... they will pick up on it and once you let them have their way - and they think that they are the boss - they will never let it go! - you can't let them win no matter how hard... you have to show them you are the boss!

[marlafish]

kinda like a kid huh!! thanks again!!!!! This bullintin board has vbeen a godsend!!!

[Dawn]

I agree you should never let them have their way. However, I do not agree with taking her for a long walk. She is still really young and doesn't have the endurance for it. You're not going to achieve anything if she's tired, sore, and grumpy.