How to Train Your Stubborn Dog to Walk on Leash

Hello Carol, If all the tools and methods that you have tried have failed while trying to train him on your own, then I would recommend that you seek the help of an experienced trainer in your area. Even one lesson with the right trainer can help you determine what approach your dog needs. I would recommend looking for a trainer that utilizes multiple tools and techniques, rather than a Positive Reinforcement only trainer or a solely Punishment/Escapism or Dominant based trainer. Also look for someone who has experience successfully treating reactive and aggressive dogs, because these types of trainers will have more experience in general, and will be more likely to think out of the box and try things that you have not tried yet. When you work with a trainer, sign up for a private training session if you are able to. A private session will be tailored to you and your dog, and will not just teach standard training methods, that work for other dogs, but not for yours. Also look up videos of how to fit certain training devices properly. Many of the devices on the market are only effective for more stubborn dogs if they are worn in the right location, fitted right, and used with the right timing. A good trainer should be able to help with these things as well. If the trainer cannot show you how to properly fit a recommended tool, then do not use that trainer. He or she is likely inexperienced. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Alistair, First, do a little detective work. Does she seem at all nervous or frightened of anything - it could be something in the area you would never notice - like a barking dog, cars passing, holiday decorations, ect... Is the ground really hot or cold? Burns from really hot or icy ground can create fear of walking. Is there anything else that seems to indicate fear, pain or discomfort about continuing to walk - like cold weather and no thick fur. If you determine that there is a fear or discomfort, start by addressing that issue. For example, if it's cold and pup doesn't have tons of fur, try letting her wear a good quality dog jacket that insulates from the cold but allows her to go potty unobstructed still - look up ruffwear.com for examples of this. For cold or hot ground, get her used to wearing dog boots. For fears, work on spending time in that area doing fun things, such as practicing tricks with treats, playing fetch on a long leash (where it's safe to do so), and simply hanging out with belly rubs. Act confident and upbeat not sorry for her if she is afraid. If she simply seems to want to return home just because that's her preference and there isn't a fear or discomfort that needs to be addressed (if there is you have to address those first), then she simply needs to learn that you are leading the walk and stopping isn't an option. Check out the video linked below. When she stops, give quick short tugs on the leash over and over, giving slack between tugs - not pulling continuously, until she gets up and follows. Reward with a treat when she starts following again. The idea is to make stopping uncomfortable - it gets comfortable for her when she starts walking again because the tugs stop and she is given a treat. Once you have done this for a bit, then only give treats for continuing to walk, not for starting again - so she won't learn to stop and start to get a treat. Heel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo Once you know the issue is just a matter of her not wanting to walk and not fear or discomfort, you attitude should be that walking is non-negotiable. You should be calm but a bit stubborn about it. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Beth, I suggest turning the walk into a faster paced, structured obedience exercise - where you keep pup guessing. Check out the Turns method from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Periodically, add in lots of Down-Stays, Watch Me, Sit-Stay, or tricks throughout the walk. You can even walk pup on a 20' leash coiled up so that most of the time it's only six feet - but then you can uncoil it in calm locations to practice recalls and Stays. Bring a Ziploc bag (in your pocket) or treat pouch of pup's kibble or small treats - such as freeze dried liver, with you on each walk to use as rewards for obedience practice. The mental stimulation, higher energy, and rewards should help decrease pup's mental and physical energy, increase trust and respect in you, and take their mind off of their environment and put it back onto you. You will likely be surprised by how tired and calm pup is after this type of walk, opposed to just a normal walk. When pup does put on the brakes, give continuous moderate tugs on the leash until pup takes a step forward. Don't continuously pull on the leash, let the leash become slack again between each quick tug - the goal is for stopping to be a bit uncomfortable (but not hurtful) so that pup chooses to move forward on his own. As soon as you get a couple of steps forward from him, reward with treats and praise, then turn around and head home - so that pup is being rewarded with what he wants (to go home) because he stayed with you and not because he stopped. As you practice all of this and pup learns to continue forward, he should begin stopping less and less. If you notice that pup seems nervous about something - like construction work, a dog in a fence, cars, signs, ect...Spend extra time in that area playing fun games with pup and giving treats for confidence, curiosity, and calmness around what they are afraid of. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, how heavy is the leash? Sometimes when training a puppy to walk, the leash needs to be very lightweight. Even a cat leash to start is fine - sometimes a big dog leash is scary to a pup. Make sure the mesh harness fits him properly and is not uncomfortable. If you are not sure, take Romeo to the pet supply store for a fitting. Let Romeo walk around the house and have playtime wearing the harness so that he gets used to it and doesn't just associate it with walks. When in the yard, carry Romeo to a starting point and work your way over to the door. If he thinks that he gets to go in when he gets there, he may give walking a try to reach the goal. If you have success, keep working on that. Practice in short sessions, just a few minutes at a time. You can also set up a little scent trail in the yard with treats along the way to encourage him to walk across the yard. Just be sure to clean up whatever he does not find, to discourage animals coming into the yard. As soon as the vet gives the okay, start walking on the street. This may prove more interesting and solve the problem altogether. Happy training!