Concerning dislike for leashes

[xdaniel67x]

Hi!

My rottweiler has always been so well behaved that I never really leashed him. I've had him for about one week now and he always looks back to make sure I am there, even as a puppy (currently 15 weeks old).
When I take him out to relieve himself, he always runs around and has a good time, but always comes back to me.
After reading "Rottweiler for dummies" I decided to always keep him on a leash. After just taking him out just now, he HATES his leash, most likely because he is not used to it?
I'm not sure what to think because he absoultey hates it. He listens to me most of the time , but he lunges like mad on his leash.
I have tried just stopping, but he still lunges to no avail.
I've done a search as well.

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[macholt]

I found when I had my first Rottie she did the same thing so I invested in a 16 ft. extend-a-leash. It gave her the length she needed and I could reel her in when a car or something else was approaching, I used it only for pleasure walk and for training purposes I used a 6ft.lead. She knew the difference and I could let her sniff around with out the pull of the shorter leash.
Since then we have added a 26 ft. long line and it works well for when you are walking 2 dogs, a cavalier and a rottie because the male cav always peed
on Our Angel when she squatted, I found then to be the best for fun times.
Hope that helps, I know they did for me.

[brunie's mom]

Your pup should be learning how to walk on a leash. Even if you live where a leash is not needed....there will be times he must be leash such as going to the vets or travelling, etc.

Put a leash on him and let him drag it around the house and the back yard....he will soon get use to the feeling of the leash on.

Have you got the pup into a puppy class yet? Please sign up for classes....you will learn how to train your pup in them.

Gina

[Rott-Wiley]

Now is the time you need to get him accustomed to a leash. Don't make the mistake of not getting him used to it now because it will be much harder to do later on. Also I second the suggestion about getting him into puppy classes.

[xdaniel67x]

Hey guys,

thanks for the replies, Yes I have already signed up for obediance classes starting in feb.

Thanks!

[SABELLESMOM]

Leashes are not a choice for any dog. You are the owner. You are responsible to keep him safe. It is not for him to decide.

Oh, he may be reluctant. Too bad! I'm glad you've signed up for obedience classes. They can be fun. You'll be amazed how quickly you'll be able to get him to do the things asked of him. At 15 weeks his little brain is ready to absorb quite a bit. But the "sponge" brain often dries out a bit if you don't re-saturate it once in a while with continued and refresher courses. Good luck! :D

[Sharon Marples]

One thing to always remember when you ask him to do something or go to teach him something..........

"It is NOT his choice!" He has no say in the matter! :)

Your classes will help reinforce this and will show you how to train him further. Just keep up the good work and don't let him have a choice when it comes to his training.

[Mattweiser]

Make him deal with the leash... period!!

[Patty1231]

One other thing I might mention here is in how you are walking your pup. I'm working on this now with my 18-month-old male and my new 4-year-old from the HS. When I first started out walking Rocco, I would always let him go out ahead of me. Initially, this wasn't a problem. As he grew, it became more difficult to control the pulling. We eventually worked this out but I am now finding that he has become accustomed to walking me instead of the reverse. I noticed this mentioned in a previous thread quite awhile back; I'm not sure if it was Judi (in her infinite wisdom) or another more experienced forum member but I chose not to listen at that time thinking the walk was for him to enjoy. Well... need I say I am now learning the wisdom of those words. Soooo, in addition to getting your puppy used to the leash, I suggest also getting your puppy used to walking with you (not walking you - I was getting really tired of people asking "who's walking who"). You'll be better off in the long run. This could also be of great assistance as your puppy gets older and starts to challenge your authority and try to bully passersby on your walk. You'll have better control and there's a lot of information about this problem if you search the forum. Good luck - and happy walking! :D