Belt leash

[Penny's Aunt]

I recently came across a suggestion for dogs that are being housebroken, or are mostly-housebroken but have lapses:

Have a special leash that clips to your belt, that is just long enough to have the dog walk comfortably at your side. The standard 6-ft leash is too long (unless you are EXTREMELY tall).

Then you just go around the house, taking care of business, & the dog is right beside you. The dog is with you, he is getting exercise, & you are more likely to know if the dog is about to squat or lift his leg, & can reprimand him instantly & take him outdoors.

This could be a reasonable alternative to keeping a dog crated most of the day (like 23 out of 24 hours).

[Boonech]

Just watch out for any sharp turn-arounds, or you might just helicopter your pooch around the room... http://dachsie.org/ubb/lol.gif

But Seriously, I have a question about "leash breaking". (I'm prepared for a tongue lashing on this.) Annie is 7 mos old and hasn't been leash broken yet. She goes out into a fenced yard so....we just haven't. The first time I tried, I thought she would hang herself. She was struggling to get away and yelping to the point where I said...OK, we'll try again later.

Then I tried to go slower by just having her wear a collar without the leash, which she does OK with that. I've read that once their ok with the collar, attach the leash and just let them "drag" it around, but I'm afraid she'll get caught on something.

How long should it take for her to get use to it. I don't remember having this problem with my other girls. http://dachsie.org/ubb/confused.gif

[Mrs.F]

Have you tried a flexi-leash?
Maggie is starting obedience classes tonight and so she'll finally have to start using a "real" leash http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif but we've had so much else to work on......anyway, I won't take a dachsie in the woods around here unleashed (too many smelly tracks to follow!) so I picked up a Flexi-leash (brand name) at WalMart. I'm quite happy with it, there is enough give to it that she doesn't choke or fight it, and she seems to sense when she's going to run out of leash because she usually will slow down/stop pulling just before reaching the end. There is a safety latch that keeps the leash from extending when I don't want her too far away, so I feel safe with it as long as we're not in a crowd.

[This message has been edited by Mrs.F (edited May 19, 2000).]

[Owen's Mom]

If you're in the house with her, let her drag the leash around to get used to it. It's really time to get her on a leash for her own safety, in case you need to go from car to vet or are standing out front with her. Flexi-Leads are not legal in all counties, so make sure you can use one where you live. I don't, personally like them, but that's just me. They are a great way to excercise your dog, but they don't provide the best control. Everyone is different though, and just because I don't like it doesn't mean it's a bad thing http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

~~Amy~~

[Wienergal]

I agree that it really is time to get her used to the leash. I love Penny's Aunt's belt leash idea!

Heidi, PLEASE post and let us know how Maggie does in obedience class!!

[Mrs.F]

Maggie was terrific tonight!!! This was the first class and so most of the emphasis was on 'sit' and walking on leash. If we weren't so modest Maggie and I would tell you that she was the STAR of the class! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif
Seriously though, she did very well. She was timid around the other dogs but didn't let it keep her from doing what she needed to do. It broke my heart to see her sitting there shivering, but I want her to be comfortable with other people and dogs so that she can go everywhere, as Penny does, and these classes seem to be the best way to socialize her!! She had a bit of an advantage I guess, because we've worked on "sit" since she arrived and we've done some work with the leash so that part wasn't brand new to her. She seemed to find the class setting stressful, but enjoyed the 25 minute drive each way, just the two of us!
Penny was not happy about being left out of the excitement. She's gone to the elementary school and to the nursing home with me WITHOUT Maggie, but this was the first time I've taken Maggie without her. Beth took Penny for a ride in the other car while we gone, but she's been velcroed to my leg since we got home. I've been keeping it low key (so that I don't imply to her that she has a REASON to act like this) but I do feel a little guilty. (After all I DID make her belive the world revolves around her http://dachsie.org/ubb/ksmile.gif )
Do you other multiple dachsie families face the same jealousy thing when you take only one dog with you? How do you handle it? Will she get over it, or will the next 7 classes be just as tough on her? http://dachsie.org/ubb/confused.gif

[Krista]

This is how I got Rudy used to his leash:

(well first of all, I use a harness to be more gentle to their trachea and easier on their neck/back)
1) let him run in the yard/house with his harness on while supervising until he was used to it
2)Attatched the leash to the harness and let him drag in house/yard while supervising until he was used to that
3)held the leash, but followed HIM around, so he got used to the feel of me on the other end
4) lured him with sweet talk and/or treat to follow me and praised him like crazy when he did.
5) took walks -gradually increasing from extremely short to all the way around our big block (treat at the end -praise and coaxing along the way)

I started this at about 6 mos and within a few weeks he was eager to step in his harness and go. He is now almost 11 mos and gets very excited when the leash and harness come out -or even if I mention "walk?"

Hope that helps -sorry so long.

[Penny's Aunt]

Krista's step-by-step is good advice. Any time you can break down a new training exercise into small pieces, you will probably do well.

And don't forget the treats! Right now, I am using Liver Biscotti (small pieces) from SitStay.com for training with a clicker. My new little girl will eat as many of them as I care to give her! But they aren't straight meat, so they aren't too rich for multiple repeats.