Puppy is Impossible to Walk

Dear Cesar,

We have a 13 week old Springer, and it is impossible to take him for a walk. He will not leave the yard. My husband just tried to walk him, and the puppy was so upset that he threw up! Please help. My husband eventually wants him to be a bird dog!

Thank you,
Kristina Harris

Dear Kristina,

Often, it takes the help of another dog to motivate a troubled puppy. It's completely normal for a puppy to fight a human's influence. A human being wouldn't be training a puppy in a wild pack, after all. So in this situation, you want to go back to basics, and what could be a better motivation for a curious new puppy than an adult dog who already feels good about himself? If you have relatives or friends with a dog that is more comfortable or experienced with the process of walking, you can bring him in to teach the puppy. Begin by walking around the inside environment using something to motivate the puppy, something that gets him excited. Then slowly bring the puppy out into the yard, and eventually outside of it. The older dog will help him adjust, and once the puppy crosses the line, you can give him something - food, a toy, or any other reward.

Don't use the leash yet! A 13 week old dog doesn't need a leash right away. The best leash you have is the mind, and you want this dog to develop trust. From birth to 8 months, a leash is mostly unnecessary. It's better to gain the trust and respect naturally than with something we've invented. Sometimes I'll put the leash on and let him drag it on the floor--so that he associates it with freedom--but I'll make sure he's still following me. I want him to slowly realize that he has to follow me, regardless of whether the leash is hanging or tight. Eventually, I'll pick up the leash. At first, he may protest against the physical restraint, but that's when you have to stay calm. He'll warm up to it eventually, especially under the guidance of the larger, wiser dog. If you're still having difficulties, you can find some of the other basic skills you may need in the People Training for Dogs DVD, available through the website.

Stay calm and assertive,
Cesar Millan

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Tue, 07/27/2010 - 2:19pm — Richard NL

evening walks

During the daytime i have no problem walking my 11week old dog Hector, but in the evening i cannot get him to come with me, he just sits down and doesnt move at all. I tried to lure him with treats but that lasted for 5 meters and he figured me out.
He listens really good to my commands but not at night he just doesnt wanna go on our last walk of the day and when i give up he does his needs in the house.

I would love to walk him without a leash but he bolted on me one time and crossed a very busy road and waited for me at the front door so i kind of don't trust him without that leash. lucky for me it was early in the morning so not much traffic.

Just now i tried leashing him and just let it drag behind him but he didnt want to come with me while i was calling him from 8 meters away.

Greeting from the Netherlands:

Richard

Sun, 03/28/2010 - 12:10am — WatsonLover

Revelation!!!

Thank you for this! I had noooo idea! My 12 week old pup i've been taking for walks, and he resists like crazy to begin with, but after i get him going he loves it. I'm so glad to know that i'm not alone & it's not even uncommon!

Thu, 03/11/2010 - 6:50pm — Taco Bell

small dog

i had no idea. i wonder if i can get my neighbor to help me with walking my dog

Wed, 03/03/2010 - 2:56pm — Blondie1974

WOW! Really?

I have a 5 month old Shih Tzu whom I have to "drag" around the block! Here I thought I was being a good pack leader by giving her a nice little walk everyday but all she does is put on the brakes and sweeps the road! When she does walk properly, I give her a little slack and she can walk great for about 5 minutes and then suddenly I'm dragging her again.

I kept telling myself "eventually, she'll give in and walk" but she did not improve. After 2 months of dragging her, I got fed up and began tugging on the leash like Cesar does when dog's pull or doing the whole "tying the leash around the waist" but that only made her put on the breaks even more and I was just dragging her all over the place! Poor thing.

Spring is around the corner. So I guess I'll have to hang up the leash until May? It just feels so wrong going out for a walk without the puppy.

Mon, 07/05/2010 - 6:15pm — emmadog

Going for a drag

I have the same problem. Instead of walking my three year old Australian Cattledog, I say "We're going on a drag."

I have two theories as to why this happened. One was that she was sick for a while, didn't want to walk, and when I made her once in a while, she associated it with unpleasantness.

My other theory is that I tugged on her so much to keep her from pulling, she is overcompensating now.

By just not letting her stop, I've gotten to the point where she will go on short to moderate walks with me, but she still makes it clear she's not happy about it. When I try to have her run alongside my bike, she consistently drags behind, puts on the brakes, and only tolerates the experience.

Any advice would be helpful.

Tue, 04/20/2010 - 8:58pm — laserbeam

I have a 13 month Shihtzu who

I have a 13 month Shihtzu who just started putting on the brakes when I try to take him on walks. He was such a good walker before but for the past month, he has refused to take walks on the leash! If I walk him without the leash, he is fine and he goes on his merry way! I have no problem with him running away as he always looks back to make sure I'm with him. the only problem is I cant take him too far from the house because I'm worried he could get git by a car or something. Is there anything I can do to get him to take longer walks on his leash???

Wed, 06/23/2010 - 4:44am — diego1

Same issue(s)

Glad to hear that I am not alone and that so far, I'm doing the right thing... for the most part!
I have 12 week old JRT (Tucker) who is amazing. Loves being outside, and playing but of course like everyone else, resists with everything in him to walk on the leash. We have a 14 month old Lab/Shepherd mix and the two are amazing together. I've tried the trick of tying the two together as I've seen Cesar do with Daddy and other pupps, but still to soon. He is normally amazing off the leash and almost always follows me, so will continue to do this... I will add the leash though as suggested!
HALE CESAR!

Sat, 01/23/2010 - 8:01am — lizbresler@gmail.com

Thank You!

I have an 11 week old Golden Retriever and was experiencing similar problems. Not throwing up, but sits down and refuses to walk; either that or sniffs the ground so intensely that walking is a most unpleasant experience with all the pulling and investigating going on.

It feels like I had tried everything - even letting him "carry" his end of the leash in his mouth. But this is the first I've heard that a leash should be avoided at this young age. I am thrilled to hear this new information so thank you for your question and Cesar's comments!

Fri, 03/05/2010 - 5:40am — reddy.hkcs

Great post, you’ve helped me

Great post, you’ve helped me a lot
dog walking melbourne

Sun, 01/17/2010 - 7:37am — yvettemsohl

13 year old Springer...

My 13 year old springer is a good walker however is it bad that he walks far behind me. Also I would like us to complete the walking challenge but he is 13 with arthritis. Although healthy I don't want to over work the old guy. How can we do the full 1 hour walk without over doing it? (sorry if I post this twice I am a bit confused on how this works) thank you

Tue, 07/20/2010 - 4:57pm — immyali

How can you walk a puppy without a leash

My puppy is 9 weeks old and we have started walking on the leash, she does pretty well at it too.
How can you walk a puppy without a leash and not have them run over by a car? As attached as they are to you, they still do wander away to check things out from time to time. I live in the suburbs where roads and cars are unavoidable, there is no way I would feel comfortable walking my puppy without a leash.
Is there any harm in walking with a leash if they do quite well with it? and what's the best leash to use for a puppy, I have just attached a leash to her collar, is this okay?

I really would appreciate advice on this as I would hate to think I am harming my puppy in any way.

Mon, 08/09/2010 - 10:09am — jennagen

no leash/9weeks

i would think if your puppy is ok with the leash you should be fine.

why stop using it, to have to reintroduce it later?