Miss Vixen Posted September 6, 2018 Report Share Posted September 6, 2018 How do I start adjusting belle to walking on a leash? I’ve got her used to having a collar on but if you put a leash on, she freezes and sometimes lays down. I certainly don’t want to pull her or make her more fearful. Is there a good way to teach her that walks are fun and the leash is safe? i never had this problem with Alfie, he took to a leash straight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawgirl Posted September 6, 2018 Report Share Posted September 6, 2018 Desensitisation is key. Small steps! Start by showing her the leash on the ground and reward her (treat, praise, toy - whatever floats her boat) for moving towards it. Give her a jackpot reward for actually touching it. Once she is comfortable with it on the ground and unmoving, pick it up and repeat the steps. Then put the leash on, reward her , take it off. Build up the time the leash is on until she doesn't worry about you putting it on. Then encourage her to move and reward her for moving (no matter how small the movement) with the leash on. Then build up the movement. Let it trail behind her around the house until she starts to ignore it. Then pick it up and walk around the house with it until she is fine with that, then look at taking her outside with it. You may not need to take it that slow, but better slow then push too hard and start again with an added learned fear. BC's are smart enough to learn quickly. It will not take long before the sight of a leash brings joy, especially once she realises it means fun walkies time! Or maybe pick her up, carry her to the car, then take her somewhere interesting and attach the leash as you let her out to sniff, explore and be fascinated. She may be more focussed on the exciting things in front of her than the leash. Of course, this is more risky. Either way, the aim is to build up a positive association with the leash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Vixen Posted September 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2018 Thank you, that's very helpful. I'll make a start with her today. She's learning fast already with sit, lay down, wait, give paw so hopefully she'll want go for walks soon too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brihop Posted September 6, 2018 Report Share Posted September 6, 2018 Second everything Lawgirl says. My pup is now 4 months old. I started by sitting with the leash in my lap and he got used to it being around. Eventually put it on and got the big freeze and lie down. Just kept putting it on and taking it off if no interest in moving. With a little coaxing by putting a treat inches from his nose he eventually took the first step forward to get the treat. Slow and consistent and they get the message. Don't be in a rush as it comes along in time. Good luck. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Vixen Posted September 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2018 I’ve managed to get her to approach and touch the leash whilst it’s on the ground today so that’s a good start ☺️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawgirl Posted September 6, 2018 Report Share Posted September 6, 2018 6 hours ago, Miss Vixen said: I’ve managed to get her to approach and touch the leash whilst it’s on the ground today so that’s a good start ☺️ That sounds like an excellent start. Be sure to keep sessions fairly short, but you can do several in one day. Puppy attention spans are not long, and you would like to finish every session on a positive. If things aren't going well, finish on a trick she knows, like sit or give paw, huge praise and reward then leave it for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Vixen Posted September 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 I let her trail the leash this morning. Only for about 5-10 seconds and she seemed ok with that. She's being massively praised for every tiny step in the right direction and now she's fast asleep lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brihop Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Good going, keep it up. Take a nap yourself, it may the only chance you get lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'Elle Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Good job so far. Let her set the pace for upping the ante by making sure she is entirely comfortable with each stage before you move on to the next and you will do just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Vixen Posted September 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 3 hours ago, brihop said: Good going, keep it up. Take a nap yourself, it may the only chance you get lol. I ended up watching tv instead, now she's up and bouncing around with my older boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Vixen Posted September 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 I thought I would take her with me to the pet store today and she actually walked by my side on the leash! She did really well, I'm so glad the training is paying off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawgirl Posted September 9, 2018 Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 Fantastic progress! Now you may need to pay the puppy photo toll... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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