Walking nicely on a lead

[Luxaroma]

Any suggestions? Dpup spends most of his time smelling lamp posts and the rest of time dragging me home. I've tried stopping every time he pulls but it seems to make no difference, maybe I didn't do it for long enough.
I ask him to leave lamp posts by suggesting a treat....a little bit of smelling is fine but he's obsessed.
If I'm supposed to let him smell till he's bored during his exploratory puppy stage that's fine but not long term. On Friday we went out for a 15min walk and it took nearly an hour!

He can walk nicely on a lead sometimes, he is just so easily distracted.

[insanityscratching]

I'm sure the experts will be along soon with advice but we practised in the garden for the four weeks between his arrival and him being allowed out and that helped.First walks we used to carry him to the park and then walk him once there rather than plodding pavements. Eric's pretty good now, a quick sniff and a pee at most gates and lamp posts but no prolonged stopping anyway so I'd guess it will improve in time.

[Luxaroma]

We didn't have the enclosed time - pup was 10weeks and pavement approved when he arrived. I feel the walks are becoming more and more about what pup wants. He's reluctant to get out the door but seems to enjoy it once he's crossed the threshold. Just been out very short walk, lots of treats to keep him moving at the right pace. Can't wait till we can stride along without the constant distractions.

[Buddysmom]

My Buddy (black Lab - aged 15 months) pulled like a train - buy a halti or a gencon

gencon-allin1.co.uk/

Bud is great on this as the lead goes round the nose so pulling is uncomfortable - he often tries to wriggle out with no success but at least my arm is now comfortably secure in its socket rather than being wrenched out. Worth a try?? Hope this helps x

[WeAreGroot]

Have a look on YouTube for videos by Kikopup, she's got some great ones about loose lead walking.

[Luxaroma]

Thanks will have a look at those. Currently the problem is that Dpup doesn't actually want to walk anymore!!!? I have to encourage him along with my voice and treats - it's feast or famine! I think he may be sulking!

[Luxaroma]

Wearegroot kikopup is brilliant, thank you!

The distraction technique is working beautifully - instead of pup making a mad dash, with me in hot pursuit, to the door with a precious item to be chewed to bits...I now make a noise he drops it and comes to me. That took one session to teach and it has made life a lot more manageable. I'm well on the way to stopping the mouthing and walking on a loose lease is a work in progress but I really feel the klicker method is working for us, results are coming much more quickly....that and the garlic chicken I just made Dpup for training treats. [winks]

[moogalicious]

luxaroma I didn't think dogs could eat garlic or anything from the onion family.

[moogalicious]

'All close members of the onion family (shallots, onions, garlic, scallions, etc.) contain compounds that can damage dogs' red blood cells if ingested in sufficient quantities. A rule of thumb is “the stronger it is, the more toxic it is.” Garlic tends to be more toxic than onions, on an ounce-for-ounce basis.'

[Luxaroma]

Thanks for the heads up, This link casts doubt on the garlic toxicity. Either way pup is too young even for the other side of the debate. Shame though, he loved it!

[Luxaroma]

Update!

First. Ever. Proper. Walk ........Achieved today!

Walked by my side, had a short sniff of the odd lamp post, sat while bikes, babies in pushchairs and work men passed by.

He even left my shoes on the floor when asked to!

Sometimes training a pup can make you feel like you are getting nowhere fast - today is a good day!

We still have whistle recall to work on but feeling like we are starting to get through the puppy stage with a lot more success and a happier dog and that's just as well because we are all completely in love with him.