My problem is that I just purchased a 5 mos. old Giant Schnauzer that has "never" been led by a leash. It is totally foreign to him. I put a regular flat collar on him, but every time I pull on the leash, he first exhibits "opposition" and then he just simply lies down.....and he wont budge for love or money. I am trying to lure him with raw hamburger meat, and it is working ever so painfully slow. He just doesnt like the feeling of the tug on his neck.
Does anyone have any ideas....It has been mentioned to me to put a choke on him and "drag" him until he walks. I really do not want to do that.
I am at a loss???

Bob

Assuming there's nothing medical wrong with him, just hook him up and take off, He'll figure it out quick. Ignore the drag and go, LOL.

He's a baby, away from Mom, his littermates, and the only environment he's ever known, a stranger in a strange land if you will. And he doesn't react well to someone dragging him around by the neck. Whoda thunk. He's the equivelent of a two year old human thrown into a foster home and forced to go to a NASCAR event the next morning.

How long have you had the dog?
How much time do you spend every day with the pup?
What do you do to cause the puppy to want to be with you and want to go places with you?

I realize I don't know what your living area is like and perhaps leash rules mandate this so he can relieve himself, but cut the kid some slack.

Set the little guy up to succede, make him want to be with you. He'll do the leash thing much better and won't have "Issues" later because you took advice that said to drag a choking puppy around the neighborhood.

Ya'll will figure it out. Have you looked into Ed's Basic Obedience DVD. http://www.leerburg.com/302.htm They cover marker training very thoroughly. That kind of training would be great for a pup that age. Are you going to do any work or sport with him? If so I would wait for others to chime in. Once you get marker training down then you can mark him for taking a step foward with you or keeping the leash loose on his own. Like Red said, make him want to be with you. Keep everything fun and positive. Good luck!

Red, i didn't mean to sprint and choke the pup to death, lol. But just walk, the pup will figure it out, walking is natural for a dog, shouldn't create "issues later", we're talking walking here right? ,
AL

Michael,

I have absolutely no idea what marker training is???? Are you suggesting that leash training is a form of marker training and that the DVD covers this in detail?

Red,

I have had the pup for only 3 days and the kennel that I got it from never used a leash with the pup. I also have an adult male Schnauzer that the pup likes to follow, but only when off-leash.
I use high praise constantly around the pup, treats, etc. And he even follows me, and is responding to his new name. But the minute I put a leash on him, he drops down on all "4's".

Bob

DON'T do the walk and drag. It's unfair to a very confused puppy and totally unnecessary. Here are 3 games to play with your puppy to help him learn to walk with you.

#1. Tether the puppy on leash. Let him struggle at the leash and learn that it's not going to get him anything. Then you, the kind handler, can come and save the puppy from the bad evil leash.

#2. Put your puppy on a long line. Go outside and play chase (he chases you, not the other way around). Give treats every time he comes to you. He's learning that you're pretty much fun to hang out with and the leash is just there.

#3. Teach your pup the heel position while you stand still. Unless you're raising him for competition, all he needs to know is "hey when I'm over her, there are a lot of treats!" Once he figures that out, take a step forward - he'll come with you on his own to get more treats. Take another step forward and repeat.

Take baby steps for a baby dog. It's not necessary for a dog or puppy to be tugged around to learn to walk. Your dog is going to be large and powerful, you don't want to start any leash-walking problems now!

Bob,
I'm of the school of thought of teaching your dog to WANT to stay at heel. He's a new dog to you. IMO asking a dog to heel is about step E, when steps A, B, C, D, should be worked on first.

Start with spending time to bond with your dog by doing foundation work i.e., sit, down , stay, come, out, leave-it, wait quietly before food gets put down. establishing yourself as Pack Leader is priority.

It always amaizes me when I walk my dog pass another dog that is walking way in front of their owner. Their dog will always growl or lunge. I can see it coming a mile away. I have trained my dog to switch sides quickly so she see's I'm her body guard.

Leave a leash on all day. It will learn to deal with it.

http://www.leerburg.com/markers.htm

That article will give you a good understanding of what markers are. It can be used for leash training, but is used for all training.

Obviously he has a bad reaction to the leash. He doesn't know what a leash is. All he knows is the few experiences he has had with it. Putting the leash on him when you aren't going for a walk might help. Put it on for playtime. Or for food, treats, or praise. Don't worry so much about him walking perfectly on the leash right now. Unless he is already huge and you can't control him. Others here can explain better than I can. I have trouble transferring thoughts to the screen=)

http://www.leerburg.com/puppygroundwork.htm

Good stuff in this article, too. Just remember that you are dealing with a puppy. Don't get mad or frustrated you'll figure it out, you've got a long time to learn. Also with marker training if you screw up you've done no damage whatsoever. It may take longer, but at least your pup will still trust you. Search through all of Ed's articles and this forum and you'll find tons of stuff to help you out.

Edited by Michael_Wise (03/20/2007 12:07 AM)
Edit reason: Told ya' that others can explain better than me!