So i've got a 4 month old puppy, cross between rottie and bull terrier and the walks we're taking her on have started to become very unenjoyable.

When she is moving forward then she's pulling very hard on the lead but this isn't even the main problem, the issue is that she is constantly stopping be it to sniff around or a lot of the time it seems to be no reason for it at all. The most frustrating thing is when she sees someone or another dog in the distance and will sit and wait for that person to come to us, even if it takes that person a good 2-3 minutes to get to us she just refuses to budge.

I have tried to google and search for suggestions but i've had a hard time actually finding anyone with the same problem. At first we thought that it was just something she'd grow out of but the bigger she gets the more of a problem it's getting.

I'm also sorry if this is posted in the wrong section or anything, my first time here but i would massive appreciate any advice!

have you tried dog training classes ? just a thought

__________________
http://www.freewebs.com/miocarosiamese/

Sorry im not going to be much help but i didnt want to read and run because i know how stressful it can be. Maybe attend some training classes, keep at it, you will get there, it may take time but you will get your walks back for the pulling id suggest a harness, lots more control. Maybe clicker training? i havent used it but i know alot of people on here swear by it.

Hope someone on here can offer you some advice.. i will keep checking back and have a think x

__________________

Pulling on the lead is a definite problem! The cross you have will pull you over when she is bigger if you don't teach her now.. we thought nothing of a little pulling then Louie grew older and he could pull me over in one go, even had my 13 stone of muscle OH nearly over a few times.

Whilst she is learning and young, lots of treats, lots of praise and maybe a toy. I would definately put her on a harness to stop strain unless you have done so already.

Don't take her out for long - she'll be tired after 20 minutes - it is a big learning step for her afterall.

If she wants to sit there and watch that person - allow her too - it's better than being pulled towards them thats for sure. If thats what she wants to do - walk to a bench and sit and read and let her watch the world go by.. the whole time she is learning and observing and you get to relax.

Never get frustrated with her - she has two (can be) stubborn breeds in her.. and the more it frustrates you the more she will be stubborn (like children)

I agree with the above - puppy classes are brilliant, not only will she get to play and socialise with puppies she will get to learn and you too. Make sure you pick a positive reward based class - Rotties are normally easy to work with, when you have food or a toy and Bull terriers won't be told what to do from my experience. And always remember - if she isn't doing what you're trying to train - then you're training it wrong (E.G: my pup wouldn't learn to walk backwards the same way the rest of the dogs were learning - with food, so I tried it with a ball - and he walked back - now I can do it with or without food/toys)

Hope this helps

firstly she is young so she is probably stopping to sniff around because its all still new and exciting. It is a good thing that she stops when she sees other dogs and people comming.... i wish marley would with the pulling on the lead you need to stop dead in your tracks every time she pull and only carry on when she is calm and relaxed. You will find at first it will take you ages to get anywhere but it will pay off in the end puppy classes will also be good for her

__________________



So why don't you stay for the night? Or maybe a bite?
I could show you my favourite obsession.
I've been making a man with blond hair and a tan
And he's good for relieving my tension[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR]

1. take your puppy for more hikes, long walks, or long line if the environ. is potentially dangerous. you gotta teach your puppy to follow you.
dont follow your pup.

2. pulling on lead is a trained behaviour, i start them at 6 months, depending on the maturity of the pup.

3. try no-pull harnesses for now, later on, you can use different types of collars to train loose lead walking.

4. if she is waiting, why the hell are you? you move, and GO - most puppies dont need encouraging, and rotties normally have good pack drives so they SHOULD enjoy following the owner...

5. try to be more fun, food, toys, cuddles, talking to the dog.

6. if in doubt, just pull the dog on., reward when he follows you (bit of treat).

__________________
Cambridge Dog Training School | G3 Dogs
www.g3dogs.com

By any chance are you a CM follower?
When a dog is a cross of two breeds you have to take both breeds personality and traits into context not just the one.. this way you get a better idea of what you are working with.. you have only suggested the Rottie side and IME Rotties won't do as they are told, won't be forced to do anything but encouragement and praise gives them the incentive to do so - as with the Bull terrier.

Thanks a lot for the advice guys, i think i should've been a bit more clear in the opening post, she stops and sits when she sees people in the distance, then when they get near she'll try jump all over them! i've been trying to get her into the habit of sitting and waiting when someone goes past, just to try and calm her down a bit.

Problem i ran into was that people i talked to would keep telling me that she's too young to learn this stuff, while i agree more with SLB because by the time she's 6 months+ she's gonna be dragging me all over the shop lol.

I'll get her into puppy training classes within the next few weeks though because i think it would really help her getting used to being around other dogs/people.

One thing though on what Marley Boy said, if she stops to sniff around at the area should i just let her for now? she's been going for short walks ever since her boosters but she still seems as keen now as she was then to sniff all over the place!

whats an IME rottie plz soz if i sound dumb lol

__________________

if you want to see a person for who they really are watch how they treat their animals !

In My Experience