puppy training and 3yrold leash training

[Shay]

we have had Ginger since April 15, i'm not worried about the potty training yet. with that she does ok, we go out often she always goes and we do praise and treats. of course if she's free running the house, well a little pee here and there is just gonna happen. anyway, since potty training isn't my concern, i will move on. leash training, i need all the help i can get here!!!!! i am still having trouble with Jamine, the 3 yr old with the leash, and yes i know it is my fault for letting them both run free in the yard with supervision. for Jasmine, i think the leash defiance came when she potty trained relapsed, because she was either crated or leashed to me so that she COULD not go on the floor. so the problem with her is that she cries when i hook the leash on, and will usually dribble a little pee in the process. once the leash is on, she charges the door, jumping and raging, then when we go out, she goes as far as the leash allows and defiantly pulls away, she will eventually pee OR will defiantly not pee until she comes in, her most recent defiant pee was on the couch........the hoodad was not a happpy camper!!!!! ok, now to ginger, she was born in early march, so is still quite young and i have been carrying her in and out to do her "business", and that worked for a while, as she has become more active, she runs to the door and whines, so i get all excited thinking wow, maybe she is getting it, we go out..........she runs and plays, she may go pee, but it is after a lot of playing.........and heres the big uh-oh on my part, i haven't even put the leash on her yet. she weighs only 2 lbs, it's not like she can outrun me or anything. but one day she will run like a rabbit, and i know it is coming. SO, should i leash train Ginger, and re-leash train Jasmine at the same time? is it too early for Ginger? we walk and bike as a family, and i so would love to bring our doxies along, but it looks funny with us walking and pulling defiant Jaz until we eventually have to hold her, and holding Ginger. also, let me add, they are not expected to walk the entire way, we have a wagon with padding for them to ride in, but without leashes, it has to have at least one pet carrier in it. ideally i would like them both leashed trained, and when they become tired they can ride in the wagon. ANY SUGGESTIONS????? this puppy stufff is all new to me, Jas was close to 2 yrs when we got her. shay

[Roxane]

Hi Shay:
I am a big advocate for obedience classes for the older dogs and puppy kindergarten for the very young ones.

Saves you a great deal of grief, experimenting with various methods and a good trainer can turn even the most stubborn of dogs around in record time.

My only suggestion is that you consider a harness for the older dog. All that bouncing around and tugging on the leash might do some damage.

Good luck,
Roxane and crew

[2DogsLong]

Here are my suggestions:

For the pup, my trainer said that to get puppies used to their leash, you should clip them on in the house and let them run around with it on. Make sure the dog is SUPERVISED or he could get caught on something and hurt himself. Get him used to a harness, too.

Leash your pups when you let them outside. AFTER they go, let them play a bit.

The older dog now sees the leash as a negative thing and you have to change this. Leash her up and take her around the block at least once every day with treats and praise galore. Make walks a fun thing for her. Change her mind about the leash. If she pulls, definitely use a harness or consider a Gentle Leader harness or prong collar to modify her behaviour.

Any training will help your dogs with potty training. It will let them know that you are in charge and that if they obey, it makes you happy... and when you are happy, they get treats or praise. If you spend the time and money on classes now, you will be happier with your dogs for the rest of your time together.

Good luck!
Sue

[Shay]

thanks for your replies, I never really thought about obedience school for dachsies, but will check into it. do they do small dog only classes or do they mix them with large ones too? Jasmine is a #itch to big dogs, hates them, barks and charges, leashed or not. going to check with my vet and see if they recommend any particular one. I will try the walk and treat thing too, that sounds like a good idea, and the harness. I never actually drag Jasmine, but I do kinda tug to let her know she needs to walk, and most times I have to pick her up. and i do feel the jumping and raging at the door is going to harm her if she keeps it up. also, i meant to say in my first post about this that i believe Ginger has related whining or barking at the door to just going outside to play, and i of course don't expect potty training at 2 months, we praise when she gets it right and discreetly remove her accidents with her out of the room. i'll let everyone know how things work out and when doggie school will be starting for us!!!

[Carol A. Smith]

I have always had good luck leash training using flexies..give the dog some line and let it "lead" you instead of you having to pull and tug. If you just stand still and let the dog begin to explore and move about, then when the flexi is at the end, you can move forward and the dog is then leading and moving. It usually doesn't take very long, since they no longer feel so trapped as by a short lead. Be sure and do this in a place where there is a lot of room for the dog to roam around, like a large lot or park. Your puppy especially will probably respond to the flexie quickly. As to the older dog, I think the flexie would work, just give it more time, and don't try to force the dog to go your direction at all at first. Just let the dog move around, like it is free, and you follow at the distance the flexi allows.

Carol

[Mandy]

We had leashes on the boys as tiny puppies. We didn't expect them to follow or heel..just wanted to ge tthem used to the leashes.

Since we are now in an apartment, we have to walk them to potty. Potty time is very EXCITING at our house...we have a poty song and dance and getting tehir leashes on is a fun time (for them....they get so excited we have to say sit many many many times).

We also have outside treats which are ONLY given outside on a leash while they potty. We feed raw and their cookies are all homemade...but our outside treats are store bought ones. Actually, we were thinking about what we could use for outside treats and remembered that we had a bag of pup-peroni in the cabinet (a gift for them from one of their well-meaning aunts). I cut it up into tiny 1/4" pieces...they are already in 1/4" wide stirps...so I just chop off the 1/4" pieces and put them in a ziplock. They only get these treats outside. And it's just big enough to give them a taste.

the more experiences your puppy has now, and the more new things she can be exposed to...the better off she will be later on!

[Shay]

good news to report, the puppy is getting it, she gets excited now when i grab the leashes. and i have found with Jasmine, that if i take her onto the porch and then hook the leash to her, she doesn't jump and freak out or anything. i belive seeing Ginger on the leash has helped her get over her negative feelings about it. Ginger will put all four feet down if she wants to go the other way, it is so funny. Mostly when it is time to come inside, so for now i just pick her up, walk a few feet, put her down and see if she will walk towards the door, if she does great, if not i carry her to the door, and i think she will eventually get that when it's time to go in, it's time to go in, not time to run around more or go sniff something else. Jasmine loves the coming in part and races to the door. Funny how they are so different. Gotta love em tho!!!!