Teaching a Puppy to walk

[Barrie]

I'm having a very difficult time convincing my 8 week puppy to go for a walk. The first few days he was fine walking side by side with my other small breed dog. But now he flat out (literally - he spreads out on the ground) refuses to walk. I've tried treats, praise, etc. but nothing seems to work.

Any advice?

[brunie's mom]

Does he not like the feel of the leash? Get a cheap, light leash ($ store) and let him drag that around the house (while supervising)....he will get used to that.

For walking take some treats(good stuff like tiny pieces of chicken or hotdog), take a squeeky toy....and walk ahead of him and coax him ....clap your hands...and make yourself very interesting. Praise, praise, praise.
Most puppies will follow, they do not want to be left behind.

Gina

[Barrie]

Thanks, I'll try "good" treats and see. It is a cheap leash (old one from my small breed) and he loves to chew on it (and I let him) when he's in our backyard. But as soon as it becomes a "walking leash", he plops down on the ground.

I picked him up and let him sprawl on the driveway while I walked away from him with my other dog, and he was totally fine with that. I went as far as half a block away and hid behind cars so he wouldn't be able to see us anymore, and still nothing. Came back and he followed me back to the backyard with no problems (as I held his leash and led him).

[brunie's mom]

Try luring him to walk. Have him on leash...take really tiny tasty treat out..wave it in front of his nose so that he knows that it's there, and get him to walk a couple of feet towards it. Praise...do it again...he will soon catch on that he has to stay with you to get a treat.

In the backyard does he follow you around? Start running in the yard, laugh and clap your hands......call his name...run backwards...and see if he runs after you.

Believe me..he will start walking soon. He probably feels safe at home and does not want to leave his safety zone. You could also carry him a bit, and then make him walk him slowly too.

Gina

[Barrie]

Thanks so much; I'll give it a try.

But will have to do after he's finished "rampage" time. He seems to have this need to run wildly and bite everything is his path for about 45 minutes every morning. It starts with just playful chasing of the small dog, then turns into a "rampage"; when he gets this wild, I put the small dog inside and just follow him to let him know what is and isn't ok to bite; I do have to stay out of his way, though, because he bites my shoes, legs, etc. and "ouching" isn't working. I tried going away from him while he's "possessed" and he doesn't care and continues on being a land shark. I hope it's temporary. I've already taught him to sit and come, but he only listens after he's gotten his "devils" out; problem is by the time he's ready to learn, I'm to pooped to teach.

Here's hoping he runs out of energy soon or I get some...

[brunie's mom]

LOL! It's called puppy "zoomies" or puppy frapping. Yes..all healthy puppies do it and it's very normal.
Instead of letting him run willy-nilly on the rampage...see if you can engage him in a game of retrieving. Throw a stuffed animal or ball or tug rope, and see if he will bring it back to you. Give him the command "drop it" or "give" or "out" (or whatever you want to use)...and get him to drop it so you can throw it again.

He just needs to get that energy out...and it will come out one way or the other. Geezzz...I miss having a puppy.

Gina

[sweetlee]

The zoomies don't go away any time soon, but your baby will learn to not bite at you, grab your things or tear stuff up while having them.
My boy is 2 and he still gets the zoomies but at least he only does it outside. He grabs his tugrope runs around the yard growling and tossing and shaking it, he can turn on a dime too.
Like stated above all treats aren't created equal, chicken or cheese or hotdogs work great.
Cut into small pieces you can get alot of treats out of one hotdog or a piece of string cheese.
I don't think I have ever met a puppy, especially a rottweiler who won't come bounding after you if they think they are gonna get a piece of that.
I do miss the sweetness of a sleeping puppy and the playfullness but I am glad I adopted an older puppy, I had forgotten how naughty they can be.
Best of luck,

Sharon