doesnt like the lead!

[ilovemarkb]

My 16 week old cav king charles still hasn.t got used to the lead. Soon as he feels his collar pull he plays dead! Does anyone know if a harness would be better than a lead and collar?

[wolf63]

When our bullmastiff/GSD puppy was about the same age we used to take him for 'draggies'. He just sat down and refused to budge.

Don't worry - it didn't last long with our pup, he got the hang of walkies and loved dragging us along the pavement.

[ilovemarkb]

thats reasuring wolf!! thanks!!!

[lankeela]

Try a bit of lead training at home before you try to take him out. Let him wander round indoors with a short length of string attached to his collar (make sure you keep an eye on him so he doesn't get caught up). Use plenty of titbits and praise, and occasionally pick up the string and call him to you (don't pull). If he comes to you then give him a titbit. You can also do this at dinner time. Put his food down and hold the string across the room then let him take up the slack and go to his dinner. Also if you have visitors hold on to the string and then let him pull towards them, following him. You can then progress to using the lead in the same way, and he will then start to realise that it is not a sort of punishment, but a means to get where he wants i.e. 'walkies'.

I have to say I d not like harnesses, particularly in this case as you will be putting undue pressure in the middle of his back instead of encouraging him forward. Look at how many dogs you see on harnesses, still pulling their owners and with their backs all humped up.

[ilovemarkb]

thankyou lankeela!! I.ll certainly give that a try!!

[pmjblue]

one of mine used to scream like a pig - its a wonder we werent reported to the RSPCA, but they get out of it. I always practice in the garden first as outside can be daunting, especially with cars - try throwing titbits down in front of him. I have to say that I cured mine by taking her over the park with the others, and put her on a long training lead, she thought she was being left behind when the others ran off and there were so many new and interesting things, she forgot about the collar.

[kaylamay]

We had a 150lb Rottie and got him when he was on 5 weeks old. He was so spoilt and i carried his heavy little baby self around where ever i went until he got to heavy of course. After he'd had all his shots a got a collar which cause all sorts of pitiful screaming when i would put it on. I'd whip it off thinking it was hurting him some how until i realized i was being played.
I tried to take him for little walkies, which started out being little draggies as he seemed not to be able to walk with a collar and a lead on. Once he got the hang of it and grew in to his gentle giant self he used to love to take me for drags. I miss my baby boy(died of old age) so very much. I did buy him a harness which i preferred as he would sometimes pull and choke with a collar.

[kayefitz]

I am a dog walker and have 3 King Charles Cavaliers that I walk-all of them wear a harness-they seem to be happier-I find most of the small dogs I walk have a harness-give it a go!