Rescued Border Collie

[hope3fully]

more advice sought. She refuses to walk on the lead, obviously this is alien to her. she responds to treats. What do you suggest?

[Zacs-Master]

I very very rarely walk my BC on a lead. Lots of them simply hate it. If she walks to heel or comes back to you when called there shouldn't be a problem.

[gingejbee]

I've had two rescue border collies (separately)...they both had minds of their own. One just wouldn't bark...no matter what happened! I resorted to getting down on all fours and barking myself - until he finally got the message! Best of luck with her.

[bednobs]

dog classes? Our BC doesn't mind the lead but is dopey in lots of other ways. Luckily we live right in the country, so when she's being crazy no-one else can see!

[dave068]

Try using a harness, it's worked with my dogs in the past.

[quizzkid]

Does she shy away from the lead when you go to put it on?

[boxtops]

good question, QK, if she's been illtreated with the lead in the past.

[quizzkid]

If she is worried about the lead you have to spend time and lots of patience with her. You must remain totally calm and stay beside her with the lead and let her see that there is nothing to worry about and gradually introduce it to her but do not get uptight or anxious because this will be picked up by her. Gradually put it around her neck and when she accepts it take the next step and walk with her and let her see there is nothing to fear. It really is a time for total patience and lots of it.

[FredPuli43]

Treat like you would a puppy being trained to the lead. Put a soft collar on her, assuming she doesn't already wear one, and let her get used to that. Put , ideally, a long lead on her, leave it loose and have her come to you. Reward her with affection and, perhaps, treats when she does. Gradually get around to picking up the lead, but don't pull on it. If she pulls away, don't indulge in a tug of war, leave it. The idea is to let her go where she wants, you following with the lead or string as loose as possible. Then she is absorbed in what she is doing and not noticing you. You will find that she gradually adjusts to the occasional, gentle brief restraint, but since she's going where she wants, she ignores it. Tell her to come back to you once in a while and reward her. In time, she'll adjust to firmer control, and associate being on the lead with something pleasurable.

Now, I have trained wolfhounds this way, and believe me, even a puppy can pull you over, so you have to con them a bit to start with, like that.

[FredPuli43]

^ by she ignores it, the brief restraint, I mean that she notices it but thinks it only a very brief hindrance, if any, in what she is doing^