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Old 04-16-2008, 08:07 AM
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poohbearsmom poohbearsmom is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Tallahassee, FL USA
Re: 8 week old resists leash

I concur with RottsnScotts... the leash is for safety at this point, and to keep the pup from getting into things that it shouldn't.

Dragging the leash is good, and do make sure it's under 100% supervision; if you cut the handle so it can't get caught on things, that's even better.

Many young pups have no problem with the leash, and happily follow where the fun goes (note the word "fun"). Some pups can go into panic mode when they grasp that the leash will not allow them to "flee" from undesirable situatons (like the terrible "snake" around it's neck!!!). Some pups will go into avoidance, and some pups will simply plant their little paws as if to say, "NO WAY JOSE' !!!". Some pups will try all of these techniques to get away from the boogie man.

You're best to handle this calmly, happily and help the pup gain confidence about his new found predicament.

There was a Dane pup in my class last week that was approaching 9 weeks of age. The first time he'd had a leash *or collar!* placed on him was 5 minutes before travelling to class. Confidence-wise, he was great with people, great with the other pups, great environmentally, until.... there was tension on the leash... and then OH BOY! the fun began! We tried several approaches using food, but he was entirely too stressed to care about the treat, and only wanted to flee; he was in complete avoidance of any human attempts to gain his attention (poor little fella). My assistant finally laid down on the ground and got down to the pup's level, patted the ground, cooed at him and told him what a silly boy he was in a sing song voice. He then moved to a different place and did the same. The pup's recovery began, and he kept joining the silly man on the ground. I'm betting by this Saturday morning, he'll be moving around just grandly on the end of a loose leash if his owner practices what she learned.

Lesson here: There is no humility in dog training; do what it takes to get the job done in a manner your pup can deal with that gains your pup's trust.. Remember, your puppy has no idea what a leash is when you introduce it (snake around my neck??!!???).

Every experience your pup has right now should be FUN FUN FUN. If you need to, sit down and have a tea party by yourself until your pup voluntarily comes to you with the leash on. Move your locale, and rinse and repeat.

It's better your pup learn that the leash is not a death sentence now, than to wait until your pup is older. It's only a leash. Soon, your pup will be begging you to put it on her, because she'll know fun things will happen!

Puppy Mantra: What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!!!!!

Hope this helps.
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