Help with leash training!

by Jayme
(Murrieta, CA )

My dog will not walk on a leash. When I put the leash on her she freezes up and lays on the ground. I have tried a harness and a collar and neither of them work. I really want to be able to walk my dog so if any of you know how to teach a dog this or have any kind of advice, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

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Help with leash training!

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Nov 08, 2010
 Leash trained
by: KellyAnonymous

I have two Boston Bull 4 month puppies one male and one female. They are not litter mates. I also have a fifteen year old female Boston. In anycase my fifteen year old was never a real problem to leash train, took to it right away. My puppies were a different story so I got a book on Bostons that said use treats, I did and they are great walking along now. That book also has a video made everything simple as pie. I brought the treats in the pet store and used an old shoulder bag to hold them.
Sep 23, 2009
 leash issue with boston
by: Anonymous

I had the same issue with my boston. He refused to move when I placed the leash on him. I tried leaving it on him periodically throughout the day to allow him to get used to having it on. That didn't work. What did work was taking him to Petsmart and letting him get comfortable that way. He LOVES people and thinks that all people LOVES him too. It was a win win situation. He gets socialized and comfortable walking on the leash. Also, he loves going for rids in my car, so I started to put the leash on him first before we go out to get in the car. That helped as well.

Good Luck!
Feb 08, 2009
 Get a Gentle Leader
by: Anonymous

I see that it's been a while since you posted your question, but hopefully you'll see this post. I had two Saint Bernards that I started working with on leashes as puppies, but I didn't follow through. I was having the same issue with them. I called a Saint Bernard rescue, and they told me about the Gentle Leader. It is a head collar, and it is truly a miracle worker. I had a male that would drag us and a female that would stall, as your little dog does. I'm telling you, this thing is great! It took a little while with the female, as she was the naughtiest of the two.

I had decided I would start by walking them around inside their 50 x 50' pen before I would allow them outside the gait, with or without the leash, because I was afraid they would "park" and I wouldn't be able to get them back in. Well, my girl wouldn't budge, so she was still lying in the pen a week later, watching her male companion get to walk around in the yard, on his way to venture out on longer walks. She just looked so pathetic that I decided I'd go ahead and try her outside the pen. That was all she wanted. She walked great with the Gentle Leader in a very short period of time. She just wasn't willing to please me inside of the pen. I just can't say enough about those things. They do not allow the dog to pull back, but there's nothing about them that will hurt the dog (spikes, choker). WONDERFUL!!

We have a new Boston Terrier puppy, and I'm teaching her to go out with a leash from the get go. She's resistant, but definitely more willing than she likely will be when she is grown. Good luck to you!
Oct 03, 2008
 laying down on the leash
by: Anonymous

I had a little dog that would try to lay down when on leash and to top that off he would scream as if he was being murdered.....how embarrassing!
I would ignore the theatrics and keep on trucking, it is hard for them to lie down on the job if you are walking at a brisk pace.they might put the brakes on but eventully they have to take a few steps or become real good at land surfing....lol. Soon he decided walks were fun, full of new smells, interesting places and new adventures. Giving rewards for a job well done never hurts.. I know my Bugg ( boston/Pug) loves her treats and will do anything for them.
You might also try walking your dog to places where he/she can then go off leash for a reward such as a dog freindly park, lake, river, forest trails ect....
I believe the real trick to conquering this behavior is not to cater to it, if you stop the walk or carry them you have just reinforced their behavior and lost the battle.... after all dogs are made to walk otherwise they would have invented the motor vehicle!
Jul 13, 2008
 it worked for me
by: Cheryl

Hello I have a Boston Terrier x Bichon & she didn't want to walk with a leash at first either. I used the harness so i could pick he up as we went if i needed to. What worked best is put the harness on at home on day in the house, (without the leash) then walk away & call your dog to come to you, when they get there give them a treat. Then do this with the leash dragging as well so they get used to it touching them. Then we did this in the backyard, the first couple of walks were tiresome as we stopped frequently, but now she will sit to have her harness put on so we can go for a walk. I hope this helps as it worked for me.

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