Goes on strike during walks.....

My new chiwawa, Mia, is hyper and runs around but as soon as I pout a leash on her she sits down and refuses to walk. The thing is she was fine walking 2 weeks ago, she'd even run with me, and sit at corners, but now she wont even go ten steps. She's three and a half months old now. Any help or sugestions??????

1) put the leash on her just before the most pleasant things in her life. Feeding time, play time, etc.
2) put the leash on her around the house, and then ignore her.
3) Make a very LONG leash (easy to find light nylon cord and small snaps to do this at any home improvement store). Put this on her and walk out to the end of it and sit down. Make one at least 20 feet long, and 30 is better.

Be patient. Don't get frustrated. Praise a lot and give choice food rewards when she does better.

[bubbatd]

Are you using a collar or harness ?

[lizzybeth727]

It's chihuahua.

She's probably just somehow figured out that she doesn't have to walk with you. Do you pick her up when she stops walking? Or make a big huge deal out of coaxing her to come to you? That could be making it worse.

[Greenie]

I've found that carrying treats with me when I take the dogs out is a good thing. I've been working on "come" with the treats and that's working. If they lay down and dont want to walk on the leash, I coax them with a treat, and they get up and follow. Move the brain forward.

[skittledoo]

Originally Posted by lizzybeth727

It's chihuahua.

thank you Lizzy... you said it before I had a chance to lol....

I was like wtf is a chiwawa????

chihuahua

haha sorri bad speller, I havent been online in a while but thank you for your answers.
I do use a harness and a have a new longer leash now as well, she does ok when i walk her with my other dog (she stays at my parents place) but i think cause it's just playtime, so she thinks, sometimes if i hold her at the beginning then put her down she'll walk but i dont want her to do that everytime...

[lizzybeth727]

Are you working on encouraging her a lot and making every walk like fun time? And using treats when she starts walking nicely??

[radar08]

Welcome to dog ownership. Mine wouldnt get out of the car, then a few weeks later wouldnt get in the car, now he goes in fine but wont get out. I posted a thread a while ago because my dog wouldnt go out. Well now he goes out but wont come in. I think he is bipolar.

[arklady]

Originally Posted by RedyreRottweilers

1) put the leash on her just before the most pleasant things in her life. Feeding time, play time, etc.
2) put the leash on her around the house, and then ignore her.
3) Make a very LONG leash (easy to find light nylon cord and small snaps to do this at any home improvement store). Put this on her and walk out to the end of it and sit down. Make one at least 20 feet long, and 30 is better.

Be patient. Don't get frustrated. Praise a lot and give choice food rewards when she does better.

Great suggestions. I'd also work on a line during play between you and someone else. Think back to when the issue began--what was going on? Usually there is a link to a bad association.

Also, make sure you are not walking too far. If you practice in secure areas in your yard for short periods and then stop before the pet tires you'll create a better association.

Someone else mentioned collar versus harness. You probably are careful to refrain from tugging or coercing the pup and sometimes a harness is more positive for the smaller breeds.