Please somebody tell me that puppy’s grow out of playing tug of war with lead!

[Umbrellaschool]

I can’t take any more of it. Has anyone any tips? We click when she walks nicely and treat. But it doesn’t always work and my arm is just about pulled out the socket. She is 14 weeks

Yes we may try a harness instead and longer lead which we stand on if she starts it. Only I am anticipating that jumping up and biting our arms etc may then start, but we will see

Ohhhh build on this you will have a dog that loves you forever and the best recall and attention ever!

I agree at the moment your puppy tuggy on the lead is frustrating. However some dogs love to tug and it is a behaviour that is really useful to the owner.

You need to add some control to it.

I would get a long tuggy toy and play tuggy with her. In the garden on carpetted floor. Move the toy around let her pounce on it and to get her to let go of it put the best treat ever on her nose and say the cue word to release. I say thanking you ( no idea why!) she drops the tug gets her treat and then start moving the tug again.

What this does is get a great game and brilliant bonding, teaches a release command and actully will satisfy her need for tugging so she does not need to do it on her lead.

However as she has tugged on her lead to distract her from this when you are walking drop treats on the floor for her to pick up. If she is sniffing the ground she can not pull on the lead.

Now you have her tuggy on control use it for recall and reward for training loads of behaviours.

DCollie is coming up 4 months and has only just started to love her walks, harness works best for her, we have been firm with basics so far sit/ walk on at the curb and the is helping when she messes about on the lead, at the moment we are working on heel and keeping her attention on us rather than cars etc

A ball to throw a couple of paces ahead or kibble gets her focused on moving in the right direction as needed

If she is too full of bounce to concentrate a short run (cause I can't do more than that) takes the edge off.

Sit! also stops the jumping/mouthing she tries to do when over excited

Am going on the same theory as small children, distraction from bad behaviour, reward for good, simple commands and consistency from me and DH

Did read somewhere, very likely on another thread that a bored collie is a bitey collie and they are at their best when mentally stimulated, may be the same for your cross

Thanks polly I will have a good read and try to implement that plan

Just been out round the block and standing on the lead worked a treat 😃

Chain lead.

Our mixed breed dog (with harness and long lead) used to do this. Teaching a firm drop it command helped, as well as praising after the release of the leash and using something as a reward for doing it be that food or play. 18 months now and hasn’t even attempted this for a long long time.

Ours did this but a chain lead sorted it immediately.

Just don't engage with it and tell her "no" then praise when she stops - she'll soon learn collie x are very bright 🙂

@Umbrellaschool

Just been out round the block and standing on the lead worked a treat 😃

Most often they’re just doing it because it’s fun, you make it boring and they stop.

Do that enough times and give her loads of attention for carrying on with the walk and it doesn’t take too long to just disappear as something they even try anymore.

Feeling positive that we can conquer this now