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fun4fido · #2 (**permalink**) 15-08-2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazdebs

hi i have a 12 week old westie. but she refuses to walk on the lead. can any one help me solve this problem. thanks

Hi,

I'm not sure how much training you've done with your puppy, but in relation to your question, you will need to train her to first of all accept the lead and see it a something positive.

I'm assuming that you have already successfully introduced a collar?

To introduce a lead:

A certain points throughout the day attached the lead to her collar and let the lead trail on the floor. Give your puppy plenty of treats while the lead is attached, and also give your puppy a toy to play with, and play with her.

Detach the lead after a minute, and allow your puppy to carry on with whatever she was doing before.

The idea is to repeat this several times throughout the day and gradually build up the amount of time the lead is attached (but still trailing on the floor).

Give plenty of treats/praise, and play with your puppy while the lead is attached.

ONLY once your puppy has accepted the lead, should you progress to holding the lead, but keep it slack.

When you first hold on to the lead don't hold it for long, just a minute or so. Then let go and let it trail on the floor again. Play with your puppy, praise/give treats, and the hold on to the lead again.

Repeat throughout the day, gradually building up the time you ate holding the lead.

The whole process will normally take a few days, you can then progress to teaching your puppy to walk to heel (around your home, not outside). Many people make the mistake of taking their puppies outside before they have taught them to walk to heel at home.

Don't worry about your puppy not getting enough exercise, they shouldn't be taken on too long a walk at 12 weeks anyway. Plenty of play around the home, garden (if you have), combined with the mental stimulation from training will be more than enough exercise.

Hope this helps