LEASH TRAINING NOT GOING WELL

[KIKIMYLOVEBUG]

Does anyone train their shorkie on a leash? We have been trying in the last 3 days about 15-20 in of leash training, using harness as she is just 2.2 pounds. It is not going well. As soon as she feels any tension on the leash, she grounds herself in and refuses to walk. She would literally allow you to drag her on the carpet, still would not walk. Any sugestions?

[minnie mee]

My suggestion is patience... just keep doing it.  She doesn't realize yet that walking is fun, and she probably doesn't understand what you are doing.  I assume you haven't had your second set of shots so you can't take her out yet?  I have yet to meet a puppy who hasn't not liked the leash at first, and that includes Minnie Mee who is now a premier walker.

[Kim]

I would try putting a treat on a long stick and just use it to lead her around. After a minute of walking give her the treat and praise her. Continue doing this and she will eventually realize that walking is a good thing. 

[shorkiejem]

One suggestion is too put the harness on, Shorkies can only wear a harness, leash on and just sit outside with her, no walking.  Just let her sniff around on the leash. You sit on a step or chair. Even if she doesn't move, let her just stand there in the harness.  Jemma was one of those, putting the skids on.  While sitting outside, talk to her, play with her.  Do that for awhile so she gets use to the harness and outside.  Everything outside is huge and overwhelming to them.  Baby steps.

[LBBUGS13]

The treats are good idea.  Kuma is pretty good on the leash.  I am taking some basic classes and what they have us do is hold the leash in the opposite hand that you want the dog on, say OK, then give the command "lets go" and have a small treat in your dog side hand to entice.  When you have her attention lead her along with the treat and when she goes a few steps, then reward her.  They also had us stand with the dog in front on the leash and say OK again (this is a release command), and then walk backward with the treat in hand and praise "good girl, good girl" for a few steps each time and then give them the treat.  Each time you do this you go a little further and make sure to only give them the treat once when you have their attention and then a second time when they go forward.  I use little treats and then break then into smaller pieces.  Hope this helps.

[KIKIMYLOVEBUG]

Thanks for sugestions, yesterday I took her out on a leash(harness). My husband was walking our other dog. Kiki seemed to be doing well. Her leash was very relaxed as she was following me close. I was proud of her. I do not know if it will last, but I did see she put breaks on as soon as we were close to home. So I don`t know if she just wanted to be outside...