introducing a lead or harness

well now bily has had his jabs, we can soon take him for a walk.

TRIED to get the lead on him, thought it would be a piece of cake, well after about an hour of persuading, finally got it on him, but then he would not walk just kept jumping up and biting it.

So next thought we would try the harness again after a hour or so got in on, well it was so funny he was like a bucking bronco, he tried everything to get it off him.

So do we just do the lead thing everyday untill he calms down or is there a secret to it, same with the harness, or do we just concentrate on one.

HELP

To be honest I would concentrate on one and whichever you really want to use. Just keep trying it on Bily round the house, he'll get used to it very quickly and soon associate the lead to fun! Good luck on your first walk, they don't get too far cause there so busy sniffing lol! Lots of pics please

Dempsey didn't really get used to the lead till we actually took him out!

I'd stick to a lead to start with & just let him drag it around a bit. Then gently pick up the end & walk with him. Once he's ok with that you can give him a little tug & call his name in a really happy voice so he knows he should go the way the lead is taking him.

It's just a matter of slowly & gently. They all get used to it in the end.

They do get used to it Milly used to sit and refuse to move but gradually she got better it just takes a bit of time.

Billy has been about 4 times now, we have some grass opposite the house, he sits there are refuses to move for about 5 mins then when we get near the house he runs home

Hopefully that will change over time

Believe me he will

Bruiser hated harness with a vengence! he would rub himself along the wall to try to get it off and it would take hours to even get it on him......he would run when he saw it even!
However since hes started to enjoy walks its like he uunderstands what the harness is for.......we sit him on sofa and put it on with minimum effort now and then he gets a treat for being good.........it tooks about 3 weeks to get at this point tho! good luck

as for not liking walks! neightmare.............. we spend most the time carrtying him on the1st few walks where he wouldnt walk! it gets better!

lynne wrote:Billy has been about 4 times now, we have some grass opposite the house, he sits there are refuses to move for about 5 mins then when we get near the house he runs home

Hopefully that will change over time

You'll change your mind on that when he really wants to go out, and it's p***ing down with rain & a force 9 gale blowing!!

Caryll wrote:

lynne wrote:Billy has been about 4 times now, we have some grass opposite the house, he sits there are refuses to move for about 5 mins then when we get near the house he runs home

Hopefully that will change over time

You'll change your mind on that when he really wants to go out, and it's p***ing down with rain & a force 9 gale blowing!!

too true

I'v always started off with a harness especially while their so young, weak necks they want to run, play pull etc, then when their about 5 months after learning not to pull on harness i would switch to a lead but every now and then i will chuck on their harnesses.

My only problem with a harness on such a young dog is that it can tend to pull their elbows out. I've always liked to teach walking on a collar first, and then introduce a harness, if wanted, at about 6-9 months old.

Several of my dogs have been shown as well (breed & Obedience) so a collar or slip lead was essential.

I think thats a good idea Caryll. We have stuck with a lead for the moment as it is easier to get on. Then when Billy is older we will try the harness again