Tips for walking Puppy please =)

[freckles86]

Hello!

So Arlo is 12 weeks old today. As of Wednesday I've been able to take him out for walks. We've done 4 so far.

A few questions:

He walks very well to heel for the first 5 mins or so (aside from stopping to sniff anything and everything!!!) We've been practising indoors on and off with treats which I think has helped.

Firstly, I'm struggling to keep him on one side. He keeps crossing over me, which whilst I don't mind to a degree as he's so interesting in this fascinating new world that's suddenly open to him, I don't want it becoming a habit. Aside from continuing with the heel clicker training indoors, what can I do whilst I'm out and about to curb the behaviour to prevent it becoming a habit.

Secondly, once he's caught onto a smell, I try to give him a few seconds to investigate, then try to continue on. Sometimes he comes no problem, other times it's just all too interesting. I've tried calling, crouching down to encourage him, offering treats, nothing will entice him over until he's finished with that smell. Again, I don't really want him in the habit of thinking that I will wait for him and walk on his terms...what can I do if he's blatantly ignoring me?

Thirdly - After about 7 mins or so of walking nicely, he starts trying to storm ahead, starts jumping at my legs, if I crouch down, he tries to climb on me etc. I've taken this as a sign that he's had enough but not sure if I'm right there? Does that sound like the sort of behaviour you'd expect from a puppy if the walk has gone on for too long, or is there something else going on?

[fessmess]

With hindsight I walked my puppy too far at that age and she would bite my sleeves and jump all over me after about ten minutes. They need very little lead training and lots of off lead play.

[Wolfiefan]

At that age they need very little on lead walking. Lots of new experiences. Visit places. Smell the smells. See the sights. And play at home too.

[freckles86]

Brill, that makes sense. Thank you! =)

[BossWitch]

Off the lead as much as possible. Have meaty treats in your pocket to help with keeping to heel and on one side. You want to get them used to walking next to you because they want to, not because of the restriction of the lead. Don't walk too far or too long.

[pigsDOfly]

Never really made an issue of my dog walking beside me at that age, felt I was doing well just getting her to walk on the lead in a reasonable way.

He's a baby, everything is new and exciting. Tbh if you have him walking on the lead nicely at 12 weeks, he's already doing very well. But if you're expecting him to have got the idea of walking to heel so quickly you're probably expecting too much from him.

Training can take a long time, some dogs get it quicker than others. At 12 weeks he should know a few commands but walking beside you in a well trained way is not going to be one of them I'm afraid.

[ladyface69]

My spanner is 10 months old and only understands 'heel' when she wants to, despite training from day 1. I think with some breeds it's a lifetime of training.