First walks

[CleverQuacks]

My pup had her second jabs and can begin going for walks next weekend. I have never walked a puppy before. What do I need to know? Do I just pop a lead on and off we go or is it more complicated than that? I know she can only go on short walks whilst her bones develop so was just going to take her round the block and then a bit of a run on the field behind us (on a long lead). Does this sound right?

Get her off lead asap. She will be so nervous, she will stick closely by your side. Reward this behaviour and it makes recall training so much easier in the long term (in my experience). I have a friend who was terrified her puppy would run off (they really wont), and kept him on a lead for so long, she is now frightened to let him off 🙄

Short walks to start, young bones do not need more, amd most of all, enjoy 😁

Exciting times!
Many puppies hate leads. Don't expect to get far! Get pup used to lead at home.
First outings should be more about experiencing the world. Go to the park and sit and watch the world go by. Dogs should be greeted (if owners say ok) but then walked away from.
Sit by the river and see the boats.
Go to a pub and meet people. Sit in a quiet spot and don't stay long. Don't allow pup to leap up at people. Calmer is better.
Pop to the pet shop together.
Get used to cars and buses and mobility scooters and gravel or concrete underfoot.
Brain work and new experiences are exhausting!
Are you signed up for any formal training?

Don't be surprised if your puppy doesn't like walking on a lead. I found it took mine a while to get used to it.

Agree with PP on finding a safe place to let off lead to start recall training. I waited a while to do that with mine but if I could do it again I would have done it from day one.

You might need to carry her round the block before you get to the field, as pups are not always cooperative walking on the lead where you want them to on the side walk. I imagine it is easier to let them wonder about on the lead in the field. We have done some practices inside the house on the lead. We are going for our first walk on Monday! I plan to carry her until we get to the park.

Yes we start puppy training next weekend which I am really looking forward to!

Good luck. You could start now. Teach a hand follow and a sit?
Some brain games to tire out? What's the mats called where you hide food? Snuffle mats?

I found it was much less like a 'walk' and more like little trips outside. It took ages for mine to understand what a walk was all about and enjoy it so don't be put off.

Slso, I echo letting her off lead asap. Find an open space and uncip the lead and then play games of slowly running off while puppy chases you. It takes nerves of steel to do it but she WILL follow you like glue and you are setting up brilliant habits.

Mine has always been very good off lead and I put that down to lots of off lead time when he was too young to run off.