Mirror and Leash Issues

eshargh · 09-27-2010

I bought an 11 week old maltipoo yesterday. The poor guy was flea infested and I had to give him a flea bath which he definitely did not enjoy. He's already shy as it is but I think that experience made him terrified of me.

The main issues I'm having with him is that he refuses to walk on a leash. As soon as I put it on him he sits down and refuses to budge. I've tried treats and everything but because he won't eat them. I would like for him to start walking so that I can train him to use the bathroom outside. What can I do to get him walking?

Also, he is obsessed with mirrors! Anytime he sees his reflection he starts whimpering and scratching. Sometimes he even licks the mirror or tries to bite at it. Any reasons why hes doing this and how can I get him to stop?

cigwyllt · 09-27-2010

Poor little lad. Where did you get him from? Was he a rescue or did he come from a puppy mill or store? I guess he didn't come from a responsible breeder at any rate.

His behaviour is perfectly normal for an unsocialised, neglected dog. He has probably never been in a home before - it will take time and patience to help him get used to home life with you.

Is he up to date with all vaccinations? If not and if you do not have a fully fenced area that is free from other dogs then you can not take him out yet anyway, leash or not. I would use a very lightweight collar. Put it on him just before you feed him so that he is more interested in the food than the collar and just let him get used to it. My dogs wear their collars all the time. The collar goes on when the dog arrives in our house and stays on until it wears out. He really needs to get used to the collar so keep it on him even if he is annoyed by it. Once he has settled with the collar you can add a leash. Again, just clip it on before he eats and let him drag it around for a little while. He has so much to get used to and it will take time. Dogs need to be trained to walk on a leash, it doesn't come naturally.

As for the mirrors -just ignore it. If you give it any attention then you will reinforce the behaviour and it could become an obsession.

He has a long way to go before he will be a relaxed and happy dog but with patience and kindness he will get there.

eshargh · 09-27-2010

I think this was the first litter of puppies these people have had and he was the last they had to sell off. They said that they just let him roam around as he wished, inside and outside. When I went to pick him there was a house full of people and children. I'm also pretty sure that they never put a collar on him or walked him for that matter. I'm also pretty sure that they never bathed him seeing him in the condition he was in.

They said that he had a few shots already and when I had asked which ones they simply gave me a card with a list of vaccinations that he needs and the due dates. I plan on keeping him inside for the most part and do plan on following up with those shots as well. He's pretty settled in with his collar. I put the leash on him, per your suggestion, and he stopped eating. Any sudden movements throw him off. I suppose it just takes time for him to get used to. Thank you for your help!

cigwyllt · 09-28-2010

He could have come from a text book perfect home and still object to the lead. One thing you could try to make it a little bit easier - buy the cheapest lead you can get and cut it so that you have the clip and just a little bit dangling from it and try getting him used to that. Or you could try a harness instead of the collar.

Yogi · 09-28-2010

One thing to note regarding puppies this young and mirrors. If the other pups went before this one was completely weaned and by that meaning socialized with its litter mates, it is seeking attention from them. By seeing itself in the mirror it is often calling out for sibling attention. Thinking what it sees is one of them.

Lunareclipse · 09-28-2010

If your dog is going to stay small, try using a littler box. I used one for my chihuahua. It took him two weeks to learn how to use it. As for a leash, try tying a very lightwieght sting to your dog's collar and let him drag it around all day. Make sure he has constant supervision so he doens't get caught up on anything.

There are litterboxes made for dogs too. You might want to check into them. I only used a cat box for my chi. He was smaller than the cats. I decided on the litterbox because the first time it snowed out, the drifts was taller than he was and he was freezing his wee off when he was trying to pee.