Hello,

Prior to bringing home our new 8-week beagle/lab (?) mix on 8 Jan '10, I studied two main sources on how to rear a puppy. Leerburg's 8weeks to 8 months & Cesar Millan's How to raise the perfect dog

Not surprisingly there are conflicting recommendations. In particular CM advocates new puppies be introduced to the leash in small increments of time. Leerburg advocates tethering, using gentle persuasion and encouragement to learn to depend on the owner.

Both sources emphasize the need to introduce the puppy to new sites, sounds and places - but CM advocates not insisting the pup goes beyond it's comfort level too quickly. I have yet to find Leerburg's specific counsel on this issue.

My pup cannot be lured beyond the end of our walkway that connects to the driveway. We're still a good 10' before we hit the road. Is it ill-advised to pick the pup up, walk away from my house but keep it in view and have him walk back to the house?

Thanks in advance.

Surprisingly, there are very few real differences there. Both sources are strong pack structure advocates. Details like how to gently acclimate the puppy to the leash are really not fundamental.

Again, this puppy has been with you two days. The whole house and yard are new territory to him.

You could take him on a walk all around the driveway, yard, etc., for a couple of days.

Stand tall, Bev! Nothing tentative about you as the puppy's calm and protective pack leader! The puppy will want to follow you because you are his leader and his source of fun, food, and all good stuff!

Until we're talking like a month from now and your puppy still won't walk on a leash then there are some solutions for puppy mules that work. With my third papillon we had to come up with some pretty outside the box stuff to get him to not shut down on a lead.

It's too early in your relationship to ask for much other than eat, sleep, play, and poop. Don't worry about it yet, just little steps and remember to play with your puppy.

I let my puppy just drag the leash and I coaxed her to the sidewalk with clapping and cooing and calling her. Just sort of play and romping and they will follow you wherever you go at 8 weeks with the occasional diversion. (hence dragging the leash so you can get the pup before they get into trouble)

I didn't have the same luck. I walked backwards trying to tempt her forward - even a food treat failed; however, today's a new day.

You can always walk around just holding your puppy in your arms, too, rather than requiring your puppy to walk on a leash and follow you into the big world. I'm talking about beyond your property here...

It will see things and smell things and take in a lot of impressions that it will need to process, but from the comfort zone of your arms/chest. Only happy talk allowed...no reassurance about that big bus, etc.


leih

I would just spend some time standing still at the edge of her comfort zone and let her take it all in and maybe she will venture a few steps on her own after she has time to see everything is ok.

You are really early in the game here, plenty of time for her to explore the world.

 Quote: Bev Thibault

I didn't have the same luck. I walked backwards trying to tempt her forward - even a food treat failed; however, today's a new day.

Take it a little slower Bev, and don't fret about the pup not wanting to explore too much.

When you are in the driveway, drop her leash and walk to just beyond the edge of her comfort zone. Squat down,and wait. Be patient!

Don't try to lure her, but when she comes to you, make sure you mark and reward. If you have not started marker training, then just reward her when she comes to you and be enthusiastic about it, as long as that doesn't frighten her.

If she doesn't come to you, move a little closer to her and squat down and wait again.

Is she timid in other situations inside the house?

You should be working on establishing a marker word, by the way, if you have not done so yet. If you are not sure how to do this, ask!

PS Bits of real food (small pieces of chicken or beef, or cheese), will go a long way toward generating some enthusiasm from your puppy.

Dear Bev: I just wanted to pass on to you what I learned by Michael ellis (developing a relationship with your dog) and if someone else has already told you this, please forgive me for repeating it.
The first thing we need to do with our dogs or puppies is to connect with them. You want your little guy to focus on you, to know he or she can trust you, to develop a relationship with you before you start asking her to do some things.
How about sitting out in the yard and just playing with her. Get some treats and just sit with her and let the pup wander around by you. Then maybe take the leash off (in an enclosed yard of course) and let her follow you around a little, and when she notices you, give her a tasty treat. Remember the pup is a pack animal, all of a sudden its old pack is gone, and its security with its littler is gone. Of course a smart pup would be a little unsure, cautious. Give her some time. I wish I would have had my dogs as pups, I got mine at one year old and they were not blank slates, they had some bad experiences before, but with patience they have blossomed. If I could do it all over again, I would try and connect with my dogs before I ever tried to teach them anything. Remember too, your pup is little, you look like a giant to it probably. Get down with her on the ground and enjoy some bonding time. (remember pups attention span at that age is very short)
I bet you little one will do great and I am excited to hear how your pup does.
May God bless your efforts at training your dog.

Thanks for all the input. I'm happy to say that when I reviewed my multiple threads & individual posts, I realized I'm doing pretty good.

Just learning how to deliver a reward and the subtleties of tether training have been so, so helpful.

I'm feeling much calmer today and confident that I'll do this puppy proud. And as I think your final statement infers, I'm aware that at least I'm trying as hard as I can as opposed to not trying at all.

B