I have a new puppy that will not walk on a leash?

My kids and I brought a puppy home from the pound a few days ago and she is very scared and timid.
When we put her on a lease she won't walk she just sits down.
I am not sure if she will warm up to us any tips on how to teach a dog to walk on a leash. Whenever we take her outside she sits down.

Alberto2012-01-05T07:36:12Z

Favorite Answer

Mine neither ....

rescue member2012-01-01T10:43:34Z

Take it easy, dog is dealing with a new family, new environment, it's going to need time to adjust.

Let him come to you first, offer treats and hand feed, that way he associates you and the kids with something good.

Leave the leash on her sometimes, without walking her.

Walk her in small spurts, maybe a few minutes, offer treat when she walks.

This is going to take time, you are trying to do too much too fast, just let her get used to you and learn to trust you before you start walking her a lot or expecting anything of her.
She will warm up to you, but you can't push her, has to be when she's comfortable with you.

I've rescued dogs for many years, taken in may unsocialized, terrified dogs, you need to let the dog come to you, not try to rush it. Have patience - and good of you to save a dog from a shelter.
You'll be surprised in a few months at how comfortable the dog is with you and the kids if you just give her time to adjust at her own rate.

Marianne2012-01-01T10:36:46Z

There are two parts to effectively teaching your puppy to walk calmly on a leash. Here is the first one;
http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/collarleash.html
Once you have accomplished the first part, then read this;
http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/leash.html
This training site....dogtrainingbasics.com.....has most everything you need to know about puppy training and using positive methods to do so.
Many puppies act scared when first brought into their forever home. Don't overwhelm her with too much activity and too many visitors. Let her get used to you and her new environment. Right now she needs to be kept calm so she can adjust. She will definitely warm up to you, but this will take time. Be patient, don't yell, don't hit, work on housebreaking and getting her to come to you by using treats when you clap your hands and get her to come to you.
Good luck, and if I can help, email me personally and I'll get back to you.

mauveme492012-01-01T10:31:08Z

Tempt her with food or a toy. Roll a ball on the ground and she will probably follow it with the leash on. Give lots of praise and encouragement. Have someone run ahead and call her , have some fun with it. Dog's are not born leash trained.

Anonymous2012-01-01T10:34:31Z

For a dog like this, you could try making the experience fun. Put it on her then encourage her to walk with you using treats or toys. You could take her outside to do this if you want. All the sights and smells might encourage her to walk and investigate/smell things. I would normally say just put it on and go. But it sounds like that wouldn't work with this dog.

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