Eventually, Lucky will learn that walking on a loose leash next to you means tasty food and will stop trying to pull you around. When i brought her home, she was very apprehensive about taking walks. Scatter treats around the car, but avoid any spilled anti-freeze or gasoline! Do you have any suggestions for how to make going outside more of a positive experience for her? I have tried a gentle leader on her but she hates it. It sounds like she is probably past needing to get her used to the leash and this is more of a heeling issue. It sounds like you have been working hard with Benny and are doing a great job with him. You cannot always completely overcome all timidity associated with that as well as you could with a young puppy, but if you are very committed or pup's personality is not overly shy or aggressive, you very likely can get to the point where pup functions well around most things in public with you - expect progress to be over the course of the next year or two, rather than instant results, and it will take you being proactive to take pup places and reward good responses. You are first just teaching pup to pay attention to your movement. Expect some bucking and flailing. Or your rescue may have never been on a leash before. Practice this further away from the scary thing first and very gradually work up to pup being able to pass that thing as her confidence grows with your help. Be sure to practice again for several days until he’s eager or even excited to take a walk with you. If pup won't leave your yard - your first goal is just to leave the yard. The household rules, leash introduction, housebreaking, and similar things are less age dependent...They will take patience and work, but I suspect pup can adjust well with really consistent training. Obedience training for stray dogs is possible — our tips on how to train a rescue dog to walk off leash. If your dog has not been hurt but is just proving stubborn and refusing to accept a leash, you may be better off checking our other posts on how to get a stubborn dog to walk on a leash and our other post on how to train a dog to wear a harness.how to get a stubborn dog to walk on a leash and our other post on how to train a dog to wear a harness. Sweet cuddly inside but cautious and suspicious. It makes sense because he was living in a trailer with a ton of other dogs so he wasnt exposed to this but i am starting to worry because he hasnt made any progress, Hello Sophie, I suggest using something like a padded front clip harness (not back clip or that can encourage pulling). If you need to regroup with your pup because he’s pulling, stop walking and wait for him to stop. be comfortable and willing to try something new with you, his new owner who Any tips would be greatly appreciated! The slip leash makes me very nervous because he could easily escape, and I know that if he were to get loose, we would never see him again. By this, I mean short training sessions around the neighborhood. First, I suggest laying a good foundation of communication by practicing commands like Leave It, Watch Me, Out, and Heel. Gradually increase the water exposure overtime as pup becomes more relaxed - don't rush this, you want to encourage pup near the water but if you suddenly spray them or force it you will break their trust in your around water and it will take even longer. Feed pup entire meal amounts this way so that he is hungry during training in place of the bowl for a while. I will follow all of your instructions and will let you know if I have anymore questions. Extra tip: Stay outside for an hour or two each time if you can - if you have less time, then at least thirty minutes will still help. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-your-puppy-to-accept-leash The walking issue might even resolve itself when she relaxes more. It’s just absolute refusal to continue the walk, I end up having to carry her back. Training tools such as sensation, freedom or easy walk harnesses, and gentle leaders use slight pressure to help discourage your dog from pulling. Gradually increase your walk distance overtime. Pay attention to the roads and weather where you are too. Thank you. Hello Christa, If he is having to focus and think, and is walking around, even in circles in the yard, then he is still being exercised mentally and physically. He grew up big and powerful, and he used to carry me around the neighborhood as if I was a potato sack. 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