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HELP - Dog afraid of leash

(10 posts)
  • Started 2 years ago by Anonymous
  • Latest reply from snickdog

  1. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    I have a chihuahua who used to go to daycare. My husband and I decided to remove her from the daycare as she kept getting sick, seemed scared, etc. We honestly thought that daycare would be a great learning experience for her. Lately, she does not like to be walked on a leash. We are able to put her out in the backyard (not on the leash) so that she can do her business, but she is VERY scared of the leash. If we even take it out she runs and hides under the bed, couch, etc. She then will whimper and shake. We are very upset as we think something may have happened to her while she wasn't in our care, however we truly have no way of knowing. I just want her to not be scared and to be able to go for walks as I know she'll truly enjoy it as she once did. Does anyone have a similar problem or have any advice? I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance.
    Posted: 2006-06-23 22:05:38 #

  2. snickdog
    Member

    Hi,

    the poor baby! That is a strange reaction to a leash -- and you're right, it does make one wonder. Day care CAN be a great experience -- but it can also be a terrible experience for some dogs, too. A lot of people without much dog experience have jumped on the daycare bandwagon, unfortunately, and ultimately, the dogs pay for their inexperience in canine behavior. Don't get me wrong -- I'm a HUGE advocate for the socialization experience of daycare (my dogs go twice a week) -- but only if properly done, and run by folks with some idea of canine behavior. Otherwise it can ruin a good dog.

    However that doesn't help her right now.

    If she's not on the leash -- are you able to take her places without shaking or whimpering? Say, if you have her in a carrier or in your arms?

    Do you only have one leash? If so, have you tried getting another leash, totally NOT like her old leash, and trying that?

    Or, try a piece of ribbon tied to her collar instead of a leash -- before using it as a leash, let her play with it on the floor... let her approach it, though, don't force her. When she'll approach and play with interest, tie a smaller piece on her collar that she can get used to hanging around her. Make it a little longer every day (the beauty of ribbon is in that you can buy a roll of it, and cut what is needed) until she gets used to both the dragging ribbon and the length.

    When she's used to dragging it around (only with your supervision, of course!) start working on having her follow you around: call her to your side and take a step, then reward her heavily with something she absolutely loves. work up to two steps then three, etc. until she's following you around inside the house when you cue her. the work with her in the yard. When she's comfortable, pick up the ribbon (leash) very loosely -- no tension at all, and walk a couple of steps and reward her, then drop it. Increase the number of steps slowly. DON'T force her at any step of the way -- if she's uncomfortable at any step, stop and calm her down at the previous step, then quit.

    Let me know what's going on... if needed, contact me for a consultation.
    Posted: 2006-06-23 23:11:15 #

  3. LB2007
    Member

    Hi

    I was about to post a topic on this subject but since she already did I will do it. I hasd my puppy 4 month old pomeranian on a flexi leash and he was FINE, but I have now moved him to a 3 foot leather leash to keep him near me rather than roaming on the flexi line. He is now bucking and stopping and wanting to not go forward. I dont understand why this has happened, but he went from a very over socialized puppy to a paranoid and shakey dog. Why? We were at dog school yesterday and he embarassed me very much, last week he did fine, this week he has been dreadful and pulling the other way and stopping on his belly as if to protest it.

    HELP please

    Posted: 2007-09-02 10:31:08 #

  4. snickdog
    Member

    Hi,

    Have you always used a Flexi lead, ever since you've had him? And was this the only leash used?

    Puppies have what's known as a Critical period of socialization, that lasts -- depending on the breed and the particular pup -- anywhere from around 6-8 weeks to about 12-16 weeks of age. So, your pup is coming to the end of this period, and may start reacting to things he hasn't previously been exposed to.

    During this period, it's important to expose them to all sorts of stimuli: things they aren't exposed to during this time can be very scary to them later on. By 'things', I mean just about ANYTHING your pup may come in contact with: different people, places, noises -- even different bowls and yes, leashes and collars.

    Basically, your pup has never seen anything like this leash before, and has no idea what it's for. One of the best things to do is to not hook the leash to his collar, but just leave it on the floor. Anytime he looks at it, or interacts with it, reward him. Let him play with it, to become aware that it won't hurt him. When he's comfortable with the leash hanging around, then you can hook it to his collar, and just let him drag it around the house for a little bit.

    As well, if it's only 3 feet long, it's probably pretty taut when in use. Dogs have a band of muscles around their necks/shoulders, and when you pull against that band of muscles, you kick in a physiological response called the Opposition Reflex: When you pull the leash up tight, the reflexive response is to pull the other way. In this way, many people inadvertantly teach their dogs to PULL on leash by pulling their dog or by keeping the leash too tight.

    So, he's not trying to embarrass you -- he's very confused by all of these new things you're throwing at him so fast!

    If you need to introduce something new to him, take it slow: don't force him, let him investigate on his own time. This way, he's less likely to be afraid of new experiences.

    Jo Jacques, CPDT, CPCT
    WiggleBums!
    Dog-Friendly Training and Behavior Consulting
    http://www.wigglebums.com
    http://www.trulydogfriendly.com
    President, International Siberian Husky Club
    http://www.casinstitute.com/
    Ask Jo at dogBoston.com
    IAABC# 023
    APDT# 064427
    IIACAB # 024
    ABMA # 221012

    Posted: 2007-09-04 03:42:11 #

  5. Lokismom
    Member

    Hi, I stumbled across your website and comments while searching for help with my new dog. She's a rescued dachsund mix that has had some abuse in the past. I've never had a dog who was afraid of the leash before. She sits down and refuses to move when on the leash and if I try encouraging her to come, she does this twisty little Houdini-dog move and runs away. (I almost lost her the first day I had her because of this.) I've been putting the leash on her and just letting her sit and praising her if she moves toward me. I'm going to try your suggestions. I found another website that had punishment and dominance as part of the training. I don't think my dog needs any more punishment or dominance. She's nervous enough already. Thanks for the suggestions that encourage gentle training.

    Posted: 2007-09-26 00:24:42 #

  6. snickdog
    Member

    Hi,

    First of all, huge thanks to you to taking on a 'project' dog -- there's just not enough homes that will do that lately. : (

    Try the suggestions above regarding a piece of yarn or ribbon -- however, you may want to change the type of harness that she wears (all small dogs should wear a harness to walk -- the little ones are prone to trachea issues and you don't want to take the risk of making any pre-existing conditions worse), as what sounds like totally horrible associations with the leash just may extend to the harness/collar, as well.

    Jo Jacques, CPDT, CPCT
    WiggleBums!
    Dog-Friendly Training and Behavior Consulting
    http://www.wigglebums.com
    http://www.trulydogfriendly.com
    President, International Siberian Husky Club
    http://www.casinstitute.com/
    Ask Jo at dogBoston.com
    IAABC# 023
    APDT# 064427
    IIACAB # 024
    ABMA # 221012

    Posted: 2007-09-26 18:07:09 #

  7. LB2007
    Member

    Hi Snick
    I have a new thing developing now with the leash and the rain, he is freaking out something awful. Today I lost my cool and I am so sorry I did. The poor little thing had not done it in the pouring rain and on wet leaves and mud so all this is new to him I suppose and he does not know how to react. how can I get him to do it even if it is raining as it is either there or in my house. So I lost my patience and after 30 minutes of arguing with him he didnt do it. I tried sweet talk, I tried treats, I tried gently leading him, he bolted at all, that is how I then lost my cool. What can I do to make him do it even if it is drizzling or raining. I think he does not like the feel of the wet leaves. He is xxs in shoes and I am unable to get them here. Been looking like crazy to get shoes for him. He also does not like the wet mud.

    Posted: 2007-09-27 22:51:55 #

  8. snickdog
    Member

    Hi,

    Have you tried desensitizing him to an umbrella, and using one when walking him? Maybe you can carry him to an area with an overhang?

    If there are days where it is sprinkling, rather than pouring, you can also try desensitizing him to the rain beginning on those days. Trying to get him use to light rain first can help with getting him used to heavier rains.

    My Sibes won't walk in puddles at all, and they were raised outdoors. But, when you stop to think about it, if a sled dog encounters water it may mean that ice is melting and it's unsafe to cross... Anyway, when walking they will jump over or go around puddles. At home, when let out into the yard, they do the same thing. If we've had a LOT of rain, I will put down a plank for them to walk on to get to a drier spot.

    Jo Jacques, CPDT, CPCT
    WiggleBums!
    Dog-Friendly Training and Behavior Consulting
    http://www.wigglebums.com
    http://www.trulydogfriendly.com
    President, International Siberian Husky Club
    http://www.casinstitute.com/
    Ask Jo at dogBoston.com
    IAABC# 023
    APDT# 064427
    IIACAB # 024
    ABMA # 221012

    Posted: 2007-09-28 16:33:39 #

  9. Lokismom
    Member

    I just wanted you to know that this afternoon, for the first time, my new little dog walked on a leash with me holding the leash. We walked where she wanted and I was very careful not to pull on the leash, but we walked around my neighborhood with her on the leash. I really appreciate your suggestions and wanted you to know that while we aren't completely there yet, we are making progress! Thanks!

    Posted: 2007-10-03 01:05:07 #

  10. snickdog
    Member

    Excellent news! Thanks for the update!

    Jo Jacques, CPDT, CPCT
    WiggleBums!
    Dog-Friendly Training and Behavior Consulting
    http://www.wigglebums.com
    http://www.trulydogfriendly.com
    President, International Siberian Husky Club
    http://www.casinstitute.com/
    Ask Jo at dogBoston.com
    IAABC# 023
    APDT# 064427
    IIACAB # 024
    ABMA # 221012

    Posted: 2007-10-03 04:10:00 #

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