[nikki]

I'm having a little difficulty getting my lab puppy to walk on the leash. I've put her collar and leash on her and let her wonder around the house and have played and held her when she is wearing it and she seems to be okay with that, although she doesn't move much but anytime I pick my end of the leash up she fights it and pulls back. Any suggestions?

[angiesample]

I use to have this problem with my dog... i always thought she thought it was kind of a game or something to grab the leash and tug or whatever. But I started saying "mine" and tugging just a bit and she would drop it and then we would keep walking. If she did it again i would stop and start the process over again. It took her a while to get the hang of leash training but she know walks right beside me, with no pulling and never grabs her leash. just be consistent in whatever u decide to do. Labs are so smart ur puppy will catch on quickly!

[GSDS4Life]

What you can start doing is, when she starts pulling back on it go in her direction. It's almost like she is leading you and you are following her(keep the leash loose)

Also have some treats or use a favorite toy. This is also a good time to teach the "come" command. Have the treat/toy in your hand, say her name followed by the "come" command. When she comes towards you, praise like crazy, then give the treat/toy. When holding the leash, start going in a different direction. If she pulls back, then use the command.

There is nothing wrong with having you pup "walk" in front. It's the pulling you don't want.

how old is she?

[Lara's mom]

My Border Collie X loves to go for long walks. She would happily stroll for miles. My two shorty Jacks, not so much. They seem to view their walks as a necessary thing to appease Mommy before they get to what they really want which is the park, to be off leash and chasing a tennis ball.

Bailey walks perfectly on the leash. However, the Jacks pull like mad. Yogi mentioned in one of his posts that small dogs should be walked on a harness. I bought harnesses for both of the Jacks and our walks have been a lot more pleasant. I also invested in a splitter lead which made my life a lot easier.

[nikki]

Originally Posted by GSDS4Life

What you can start doing is, when she starts pulling back on it go in her direction. It's almost like she is leading you and you are following her(keep the leash loose)

Also have some treats or use a favorite toy. This is also a good time to teach the "come" command. Have the treat/toy in your hand, say her name followed by the "come" command. When she comes towards you, praise like crazy, then give the treat/toy. When holding the leash, start going in a different direction. If she pulls back, then use the command.

There is nothing wrong with having you pup "walk" in front. It's the pulling you don't want.

how old is she?

She is barely 7 weeks old. I got her to walk on the leash for a few minutes yesterday, I praised her and sat her back down to walk but she started pulling and wasn't responsive to it after that after that in the house or when she was outside.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by nikki

She is barely 7 weeks old. I got her to walk on the leash for a few minutes yesterday, I praised her and sat her back down to walk but she started pulling and wasn't responsive to it after that after that in the house or when she was outside.

Part of the problem is that at 7 weeks, she is still too young not to mention at that age she has not even had all her boosters so introducing her to another dog could be harmful. At this stage it is best to just let her be a very young puppy that unfortunately was let go to early.

[nikki]

Originally Posted by Yogi

Part of the problem is that at 7 weeks, she is still too young not to mention at that age she has not even had all her boosters so introducing her to another dog could be harmful. At this stage it is best to just let her be a very young puppy that unfortunately was let go to early.

Okay well in your opinion should I wait till she is a little older to start the leash training? Mainly it's just so I can take her out to potty couple times a day

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by nikki

Okay well in your opinion should I wait till she is a little older to start the leash training? Mainly it's just so I can take her out to potty couple times a day

at this point intime I would let her wear a harness and leash around the house several hours a day to acclimate her to it. As for the yard, carrying her out there and putting her down then waiting for her to go in which ever direction she wishes with some freedom. In time you can start to work with the aspect of actual leash training.

[Todd]

Once you are ready for leash training though, here are some tips;

Like mentioned above, use treats/toys to coax her in the direction you'd like her to go in. Then be sure to praise her with plenty of positive reinforcement. This did the trick with my dog Lucky when she was a pup.

If you ever run into a pulling issue you'll want to teach her to heal. Have her walk beside you and keep repeating the command "heel". When she complies give her plenty of praise and or a treat/toy reward. If she doesn't listen stop walking and don't precede until she stops pulling. She'll eventually get the idea. A harness or gentle leader can be used if you have a big problem though to assist with training.

I don't think it's necessarily too early to start some light leash training, at least indoors for a bit.

Good luck!

[nikki]

Thank you all for your advice.

[GSDS4Life]

7 weeks, well that changes things a bit.

I would just keep doing what you are doing. What I mean is having the leash attached to her collar and let her walk around with it. Once in a while pick the leash up and walk with her. Same lines as to what Yogi mentioned.

Also, lots of socializing is needed at this age.The first 12 weeks are very important for this. You can introduce her to other dog/pups. Provided they are healthy and up to date in vacc. You can have them come to your home or go to their home. This goes for humans (friends and family members)

But I'm sure you already knew that.

[Lara's mom]

At 7 weeks of age, this puppy won't have all the necessary vaccines. I was told not to let a puppy near other dogs until such time that all the vaccines were complete.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

At 7 weeks of age, this puppy won't have all the necessary vaccines. I was told not to let a puppy near other dogs until such time that all the vaccines were complete.

But leash training can still be done indoors with a pup and or in stores/short walks away from other dogs...

[Lara's mom]

I agree with you on that score. However, the member above was speaking about socialization with other dogs.

[GSDS4Life]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

At 7 weeks of age, this puppy won't have all the necessary vaccines. I was told not to let a puppy near other dogs until such time that all the vaccines were complete.

As I have stated, as long as you know the dogs(friends/family members) and they have had all their vaccines and are not sick, then yes, the pup can socialize with them.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by GSDS4Life

As I have stated, as long as you know the dogs(friends/family members) and they have had all their vaccines and are not sick, then yes, the pup can socialize with them.

Agree, so long as you do not take the dog on walks or to dog parks etc. Emphasis is on socializing with only those dogs as GSD4Life noted. Unfortunately being the pup was taken before proper dog socializing which is done with litter mate interaction from age of approx 6 to 12 weeks, it is now up to you when the time comes to work with this and with dogs or pups you know for a fact have been vaccinated and are clear of health issues which the pup can contract.