Pup hates being on leash

[LaurenBankole]

Hello!

 

I just purchased your program but didn’t really see anything for puppies who hate being on the leash, bite it, etc.

 

That’s my main problem right now. My 8 week old Golden Shepherd pup will start growling and biting me if I scold her for chewing on her leash but I scold her because she’s just sitting in the grass, fighting it, instead of going potty. 

 

After a long battle (growling, biting ME, etc), I usually give up and bring her back to her crate where she calms down.... is that good? Please please help!!!!

 

Lauren

(Lèska’s Mom)

[Adrienne]

Hello and welcome to the forums,

We ideally hope that breeders would get pups habituated to wearing a collar and leash (along with some basic handling) prior to sending pups to their new homes, but unfortunately that doesn't always happen. This would certainly come extra handy, especially considering that new puppy owners may often need to take their pups on leash to potty! Rest assured, you are not alone on this issue, which has been covered many times in the forums here. 

At 8 weeks, your puppy has likely never worn a leash before so the whole concept may feel odd and even intimidating. Puppies don't have manual dexterity so they try to get that odd thing that pulls around their neck off of them in the only way they can which is by using their mouth. Some puppies instead just come to think that a leash is the most fun thing to play with. It is pleasant in the mouth, moves around and it can be fun to play tug with. 

Many puppies tend to fight the leash the very first times they wear it, but they eventually get used to it. A good way to help them habituate is just letting them wear it in the home and let them drag it around the house-always under your supervision so to watch for the leash getting accidentally tangled somewhere.  

Also, I suggest dog owners to start training their pup to give in to leash pressure at random session during the day. Many pups who haven't habituated to wearing a leash indeed, will tend to resist to any pressure by pulling back and biting the leash. 

Here is a basic guide on getting pups used to us attaching the leash and giving into leash pressure:

Start by attaching the leash to the collar, give a treat as you attach it, then unclip it and at the same time give another treat. Rinse and repeat. The leash snapped/unsnapped to the collar should become a cue that a treat is coming.

Next, further raise criteria. Snap the leash on, feed a treat, walk a few steps ahead and call your puppy to you, give treats when she reaches you. Gently apply a tiny bit of pressure as she moves towards you. Avoid pulling  considering that this will create negative associations with its use.

Next, teach your pup to give into the leash pressure rather than resist it. Sit on the couch and if she moves away, gently put pressure on the leash and show her a treat so that she learns to give in to the pressure. Praise and reward for giving in to pressure.

Start walking your pup on leash. If your pup lags behind or pulls in another direction, coax her to catch up and keep walking by showing a treat. The moment the leash becomes loose when she catches up, praise and reward with the treat.

As your pup comes to accept the leash, you can start some basic leash training in the home by feeding your pup treats as he does 1-2 steps next to you. Keep it fun and rewarding, making it a game.  At 8 weeks you can't expect perfect heeling skills, but it's good practice to praise and reward her for walking nicely and it'll keep her focus off biting the leash if you have high-value treats. As she gets good at this, you can start more foundation heeling training in the next few weeks. 

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/obedience-101/heeling-attention-heeling/

Now, when we take out pups outside to potty, we want to make it a routine of having them go potty first and then only once they're done, we can praise and reward them and then allow them to have some fun in the yard. If you have a safe enclosed yard, then that could be a good time to take the leash off -if it's safe to do so-and let her explore a bit and play. 

If the leash biting persists in the next days when you're taking her out to potty, I would suggest making it difficult for her to grab the leash. You can do this by keeping the leash straight up so that it doesn't dangle right in front of her face, another option is to use a harness and clip the leash to the back ring or try giving her something to carry so she keeps her mouth occupied. 

I would strongly suggest not scolding her as this can increase her arousal levels or even trigger defensive behaviors. Or at the least, she'll think you're playing with her and start looking forward to this every time outside turning it into a habit. 

For nippy puppies, you will find the hand targeting game helpful and I like redirecting to a flirt pole. 

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/preschool/targeting/

More on bite inhibition games here:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/archive/bite-inhibition-games/

Keep me posted on how things go!

Best,

Adrienne 

 

 

 

 

[CherylHampton]

I read your post Lauren and actually laughed a little. Sorry, I'm m surprised Adrienne didn't tell you to check out all my posts on Shiloh. I had one almost identical to yours😊 growling, biting, generally nuh uh you ain't putting that thing on me! I got some excellent advice here and can tell you that it does get better. Shiloh doesn't attack my hands anymore, he doesn't run up and beg for his leash but hes getting there. He's HIGHLY food motivated so that helped. Good luck with your pup you're both gonna do great. Don't worry if you get frustrated, just take a step back and try again later. You're in the right place to get the help you need!😊