We just rescued this 10 week old lab puppy. She is in great health and a real sweety. She has lots of energy and likes to chase a ball in the back yard. She is being crate trained and is almost able to hang around the house without an accident. The problem is that she cries when I try to take her for a 15 min. walk. She will sit down and cry and try to pull in the other direction. I thought she might have sensitive paws or a cut but her feet look fine. I carried her on the walk for 5 min. and then on the way back she was happy to walk as long as she new we were heading back to the house. She is a chocolate lab mix. Is she just too young to be interested? I know they can't go on long walks but we have had puppies in the past and I don't remember dealing with this. Any advice would be great.

Originally Posted by SueL

We just rescued this 10 week old lab puppy. She is in great health and a real sweety. She has lots of energy and likes to chase a ball in the back yard. She is being crate trained and is almost able to hang around the house without an accident. The problem is that she cries when I try to take her for a 15 min. walk. She will sit down and cry and try to pull in the other direction. I thought she might have sensitive paws or a cut but her feet look fine. I carried her on the walk for 5 min. and then on the way back she was happy to walk as long as she new we were heading back to the house. She is a chocolate lab mix. Is she just too young to be interested? I know they can't go on long walks but we have had puppies in the past and I don't remember dealing with this. Any advice would be great.

Hi 10 weeks is quite young has she had all her injections as they don't usually have the second lot until they are 12 weeks. My puppy didnt start walks until 3 weeks after her 12 weeks injection, and i started her very slowly by getting her used to the lead in the garden. She didn't like the collar so i got her a harness which was a lot more successful. I also carried a squeaky toy with me and we had lots of fun she now loves her walk.

As to walking don't push her too much, start with a shorter walk BUT persevere very very gently, once you give in and pick them up they set the pattern for the rest of their stay THEY ARE IN CHARGE lol.

Good luck.

Just be careful, at her age that she doesnt get into anything she may not be vaccinated against. Other than that, it's getting her use to a lead and collar. Persuasion is key. Do it in the house at first, persuading her to come, with is just being attached. Then gradually walk her around the house with it. She has formed a security with her surroundings so the "big bad world" world is well a .....big bad world. Once she has established a trust to you an the lead she will come with you. Don't allow her to pull away though, bad habits are hard to break and you don't want her to be unrully on leash. It's never too early to learn obedience. Begin focus tricks immediately, getting her to always pay attention to you, your face, and your voice. If she is paying attention to you, she won't notice all the distractions as much outside. Hope this helps!

I like everyone would wait until the last vaccination, but a little hint that helped me with the walking is , leave a lead on her while she's in the house and out in the garden for certain periods of time, it will also help you train her in the house so she won't touch anything she's not allowed to be at.

Get her to sit while you put it on and maybe walk her to the garden, play a bit of ball and walk her back to where you put the lead on, make her sit and take it off, that way she won't see it as a threat.

Good look with the training

[wishbone]

It's just enough to walk him only for just few minutes. Ride him to a dog park where he could other dogs walking with their owners, bring some treats and his favorite toy so he will enjoy it.

SueL,

I have read in many articles that puppies go through a fear stage and this sounds like what your little one is going through. Just be patient. Just let her drag the leash around and follow you both inside and outside. My dog did the same thing. My dog is 7 mos. old now and is going through another fear stage in regard to places he is not used to and will come to me for comfort.
djdavis

Hi - great thread.

My puppy is 14 weeks, she pulls agressively at the lead. When I try to leave it on in the house or walk her she bites and chews on the lead. I try to dicipline her but she keeps on going.

Thoughts?

[PupParent]

Originally Posted by wishbone

It's just enough to walk him only for just few minutes. Ride him to a dog park where he could other dogs walking with their owners, bring some treats and his favorite toy so he will enjoy it.

OMG! You should never take a 10 week old puppy to a dog park for numerous reasons!

1. They have not received all their vaccinations and dog parks are the most dangerous location for things like parvo (deadly) and distemper.

2. Dog parks are filled with dogs that owners do not know how to recall

3. One bad experience in the park fo ra puppy in their 7-12 week socialization phase could cause a life long problem

DO NOT, I REPEAT...DO NOT TAKE A 10 WEEK OLD PUP TO A DOG PARK!!!

If they have had at least 2 sets of shots take them instead to a controlled puppy kindergarten class.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by PupParent

OMG! You should never take a 10 week old puppy to a dog park for numerous reasons!

1. They have not received all their vaccinations and dog parks are the most dangerous location for things like parvo (deadly) and distemper.

2. Dog parks are filled with dogs that owners do not know how to recall

3. One bad experience in the park fo ra puppy in their 7-12 week socialization phase could cause a life long problem

DO NOT, I REPEAT...DO NOT TAKE A 10 WEEK OLD PUP TO A DOG PARK!!!

If they have had at least 2 sets of shots take them instead to a controlled puppy kindergarten class.

There is actually a sign at our dog park that says not to bring puppies. When Buster was a puppy he did NOT want to go on walks either. sammie, our older saint bernard, grabbed him by the collar and drug him along with us. After that we have never had any problems taking him for walks. Do you live in town, or out in the country? If you could walk with your puppy to the nearest Dairy Queen or something like that and get him a hotdog when you get there, he would have something to look forward to on his walks be excited to go after a while. I wouldn't take him to the dog park until he was at least 6 months old and has had the necessary vaccines.