Posted: 7/15/2026 10:47:08 PM EDT
|
I should have nipped this in the bud a long time ago but I was trying to get him to want to go on walks. My pup is right around a year old and is deathly afraid of the leash. When the pound found him he was tied up behind a business and the only other time he really had a leash was when I took him to get fixed. That was about 10 months ago. I’ve tried every so often in the past to get him to go on walks and he fights it the entire way to the door and just lays on the grass outside and won’t budge. Today I tried treats because he is usually pretty treat motivated but that didn’t work. So I kept the treats on me, grabbed him by his harness handle and dragged him out the door, offering treats once outside. Wasn’t interested and wasn’t interested in a walk. Right now it is just an annoyance but when the time comes where I need him to be on a leash and cooperate I feel it may be too late. I also want him to see it isn’t a bad thing and feel nice he gets over it he’ll love to go on walks and do things. Attached File |
World's okayist yeller
|
Use indoor leash training to get him comfortable wearing a leash before taking him outside. Indoor leash desensitization is a highly effective way to teach a dog that the leash isn't a threat. By letting them wear a light, modified leash around the house, you can acclimate them to the feeling of drag and pressure while keeping them relaxed and distraction-free. Here are the step-by-step instructions for house leash training: 1. Safety First (The "House Line")Before putting the leash on, remove the handle loop by cutting it off or using a short piece of rope. This prevents the handle from snagging on furniture or your dog’s paws when they are unsupervised. Never leave a dog unattended while dragging a leash to prevent any choking or entanglement hazards. 2. The First Sessions (Desensitization)Put the leash on their flat collar or harness when they are calm (e.g., just after feeding or waking up).Let them drag the leash for 5 to 10 minutes at a time while they just relax or play in the room.Give them high-value treats to create a positive association with the weight and movement of the leash. 3. Indoor Call and FollowOnce they are comfortable walking around with the leash dragging, you can start building obedience and focus:Pick up the leash and take a few steps backward away from your dog.Use a treat or a joyful tone to encourage them to walk toward you.When they step toward you and the leash is loose, praise them warmly and hand over a reward.Gradually increase the number of steps and practice changing directions around the house. 4. Gently Introducing PressureWhen the dog stops or pulls on the leash, avoid yanking or pulling back, which causes them to tense up. Instead:Hold the leash gently but firmly, applying a very light, steady pressure.Wait them out. As soon as the dog steps toward you (slackening the leash), immediately release the pressure and reward.This teaches the dog that leash pressure is not a restriction, but a cue to check in with you |
|
Let me start by saying that I commend you for rescuing a dog in need of a forever home. Maybe ditch the leash and try an E-Collar. I would get rid of the harness too especially since your pup isn't trained yet and harnesses aren't designed for "training". Use a chain collar and not a standard dog collar, and I suggest a short lead instead of a leash. Use reinforcing voice commands for every movement, be firm but stay calm. IMHO, the e-collar cuts "leash" training in some dogs by almost half. Research leash training videos and apply as needed, or enroll them in a training academy. Another part that most dog owners forget when training is knowing when to stop and let the dog reset, relax, play, explore, etc. They leave and immediately put their untrained pet in "work/train" mode like a flip of a switch and make the experience all about the training which can be counterproductive. Repetition is paramount in training, and I suggest selecting a short list of verbal commands that way you're not adding to confusion in him with multiple commands that mean the same thing. Don't "talk" to the dog, just use the command words you selected. My end goal when I started my dogs training was for me to be the "leash" and I'm so glad to have had the help and knowledge given to me by trainers and my own research. There is no end all be all training method and remember patience. If you find yourself frustrated with the training, thats probably a clue that you both need a break for a few and let the brain kinda reset itself. You can also e-collar train while in home, but it's on you to have the remote readily accessible and to correct the negative behavior at the first signs and not 5-10 mins later. |
|
Originally Posted By VAbull: I would put a leash on him inside. 6ft flat nylon , lightweight. That's it- leave it on him. He will get used to it. He has to move to get food, water, go out to potty etc. The end.It will work. I’m giving this a shot, have a few of these types lying around from taking pups from the shelter. Hopefully it breaks him of it. You would think watching the other pups go crazy for walks would help motivate him but I guess not. |
World's okayist yeller
| I've only had a few litters of my own, but I always tied a colored string to each pup as soon as they can walk. Just pups romping around and stepping on each others lines teaches them not to be bothered by a line being tugged on. And they don't associate the pulls to the person, they are already leash broke by 7 weeks old when going to new owner. |
|
Originally Posted By VAbull: I've only had a few litters of my own, but I always tied a colored string to each pup as soon as they can walk. Just pups romping around and stepping on each others lines teaches them not to be bothered by a line being tugged on. And they don't associate the pulls to the person, they are already leash broke by 7 weeks old when going to new owner. That’s probably pretty good for pups who have no reason to be afraid of being tied up. This one has a legit fear of being tied up. Can’t really blame him, no idea how long he was tied up and abandoned. |
World's okayist yeller