Hello, my dog Toby and I are new here. Toby is 10 months old chihuahua. He is very cleaver and very friendly (maybe too friendly, because he wants to play with everyone). Since we got him he didn't like handling. He didn't want to be picked up. He loves to play and snuggle but everything must be in his terms.
I taught him some cues and now he knows when I want to pick him up, touch him, clean his eyes or teeth.
The major problem is harness. He hates harnesses. I bought a lot of different types to be sure that they are soft and comfortable but it didn't help. I tried desensitise him towards his harness. I used a lot of treats and touch training. Now he is willing to touch the harness with his nose, eat treats from his harness (if it is on the ground) but that is all. Every time I pick up the harness he jumps away. There is now improvement what so ever.
The problem is, that at the end of the day, I have to put some harness on him anyway and take him for walk. He loves his walks and running on the beach, he just has problem with the harness.
Please, do you have any suggestions what to do to improve our situation? Thank you.
Katerina