Puppy leash training

[zpolino]

Hello
I have a 9 week old Boxer(Gino). Right now I'm having an issue with getting him to walk on the leash with me. I live in an apartment so I'm always worried about letting have too much freedom due to only having 1 set of shots. The problem is when I put him on the leash outside he just sits and refuses to move. i don't pull because his neck is so small and I don't want him to hate the leash. I let him loose in front of my apartment to (GO) and watch him like a hawk --worried about Parvo. Not to mention I'd love to get him running with me on the leash...give him and I some excercise.
Any suggestions??

Thanks

 

[Spiritus]

Let him drag the leash in the house - ONLY when you can supervise him to ensure he doesn't get snagged or tangled on anything. Let him get used to that, and the rest will follow.

 

[tessa_s212]

I always put a small,thin leash on my puppies. I let them drag it around as I call them around making them follow me. Sometimes I have cookies, sometimes I don't. Then I simply pick up the leash and do the same thing, every now and then allowing some tension(but only very light) to get the dog used to, yes, there is a leash on me. Not much more than this is usually needed.

goodluck And congrats on your new addition.

 

[Saje]

I'd definitely let him run with the leash behind him inside. Don't let him off leash at all until he is fully vaccinated and you can breath a little easier.

 

[Doberluv]

In addition to the good advice you're already gotten, after he gets some practice dragging the leash around on his own, you can pick up the other end and walk with him through the apartment, dropping little tiny tid bits of yummy treats as he follows along with you. Use a playful voice and make it like a game, associating the whole thing with a great time and good treats. Make sure they're tiny, pea sized treats. Don't ever pull him. Just take it easy and he'll get onto it. Be sure and reinforce him frequently for walking along side you. Good luck!

 

[my2puppies]

thats what i did to my 9 week old puppy. annd i cant beleive my luck no pulling no biting the perfet walker

 

[dr_dolittle57]

Nothing but great advice posted. Catching up on the shots will make you feel more comfortable. A follow up post on how your pup is doing would be interesting.

 

[otch1]

Hello zpolino. Congratulations on your Boxer baby! You can start teaching your puppy to move foward while on leash, without pulling, by adding a game similar to Doberluvs post. Teach him "ready" and "get it". You're holding the end of the lead, taking a toy or treat and showing it to puppy. Very enthusiastically get them excited, tell them "ready!" Move your hand and get the puppy to watch toy or treat, taking the focus off of the leash attached to them. Toss the object just 2 feet out in front of them and tell them "get it!" When puppy jumps foward to get treat/object, go with puppy and praise. A lot of praise! Take 2 steps back with a treat in hand, at nose/eye level and then encourage them to take 2 steps toward you to take food. This is all done on a 6ft lead. Soon this will become a very positive game that turns into you transfering the treat or toy to your left hand and baiting the puppy to walk a few steps with you, gradually extending the amount of steps you and puppy can take before rewarding. Good luck!

 

[Doberluv]

I love that idea Otch! What a creative game. I wish I knew that when Lyric was a baby.