[faeriedust82]

I have a 4 month old pug puppy that i am trying to leash train. He will walk on grass just fine, but if you try to get him to walk on cement he just won't go. I've tried treats and patience and force, nothing seems to work. what can I do??

[Fred the Springer]

Originally Posted by faeriedust82

I have a 4 month old pug puppy that i am trying to leash train. He will walk on grass just fine, but if you try to get him to walk on cement he just won't go. I've tried treats and patience and force, nothing seems to work. what can I do??

Don't force it, but don't surrender either...

Here's how it works: Puppy is going to get to the concrete and lock up on you. Don't pull him, just keep the leash taut and lifted so he can't sit or lower his head. Wait. He'll scream bloody murder and complain - don't let up. It means you're winning. Just keep tension on the leash, don't let him sit or drop his head and don't say anything. Soon, he'll figure out that he's not going to win the battle and he'll walk on leash.

The process takes a minute or so and if your Pug is like my Springer, it'll be loud but he'll be walking like a champ in no time.

[faeriedust82]

good advice. thanks. but will that technique still work with a harness?

[Bacis Dad]

You definitely dont want to use force with this issue and definitely not with a pup... This can "test" his trust in you, granted he'd get over it eventually but a path it is worth avoiding.
My recommendation is to drive to a big empty parking lot and park right in the middle and take him a few feet from the car and put him down. stand or sit down a few feet away from him and he should want to run right to you. (or freeze up and eventually he'll give in and start to walk or run) and reward him w/ some hotdogs when he gets to you. Now you'll be making progress, do that a few more times until he gets confident. He will now be walking bc of confidence not out of fear. (I have used this technique many times training dogs to walk on linoleum floors and it works great!)
One other technique is to pick him up and place him a few steps from the grass and he should run over to jump on the grass, now do this a couple feet further and further and eventually he would've taken many steps on concrete and would realize there is nothing to worry about.
Good luck w/ ur pup!

[Fred the Springer]

Originally Posted by faeriedust82

good advice. thanks. but will that technique still work with a harness?

I honestly don't know. You may want to try a collar just for the few minutes it'll take to get him to walk on concrete.

[Bacis Dad]

So I sent you a lengthy response last night but I guess it didnt go through.
In a nutshell, I would definitely not force your puppy to do anything it will test his trust in you. Be careful using a collar and force technique with the bracheocephalic breeds.
My reccomendation is to carry him into a large parking lot and walk a few feet away from him. He may be frozen for a couple seconds but then sheould try to start running for you, start rewarding him heavily (hotdogs work great!) then repeat this process a handful of times until he start walking with you as you walk away and reward every step he takes. This will have him walking out of confidence not out of fear bc you forced him to! (I have used this technique when training many dogs usually they have a fear of linoleum but just the same)

1 other technique I would try is pick him up and put him a foot away from the grass and he should run to it, repeat a little further away and further still. The walking on the cement is reinforced by an intrinsic motivator (walking on grass) he will eventually enjoy walking on cement knowing that he can get access to grass!
Good luck, I hope this helps!

Please dont use force

[Lara's mom]

Just wondering...Do you live in a cold climate? If so, is it possible that the cold or the road salt are bothering the puppy's feet?

[faeriedust82]

thanks for the awesome advice Bacis Dad. i will definitely try what you have suggested.

Lara's mom, i live in northern California and during the winter it can get kinda cold. i live in an apartment complex and in order to get to grass we have to walk on the cement pathways.

:mrgreen:

[Bacis Dad]

Youre Welcome! Of course if you have any questions after trying just let me know! Make this as fun and exciting as possible! It wouldnt hurt if you got out his favorite toy to help coax either!
Have fun, Good Luck!

[Lara's mom]

I don't know if this applies to your particular case but, the other night I was watching a program on TV about some dogs that were being rescued from a bad situation. These dogs had spent all of their time standing and walking on the bottom of wire cages. When they were let out, they didn't know how to walk on other surfaces. They just stood there and wouldn't move. Is it at all possible that this type of thing could be causing the problem your puppy is experiencing?

[faeriedust82]

i dont think so. my friend got him from a breeder and then gave him to me after two weeks. he has only really walked on carpet, but as of yesterday i actually had great progress with him. we walked all the way to the mail boxes on the other side of the apartment complex and all the way back with no problems. i brought his fave treats with me but didnt really need them. he really only stopped a few times but then when i called to him he readily continued walking.

[Bacis Dad]

Great News! Glad to hear it!

[Lara's mom]

Good! Glad to hear that things are going well!!!

[Ward9320]

I would say maybe take a treat or a toy that he likes and toss it on the sidewalk and see if he goes for it..