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help leash training

  • 17-06-2011 10:42pm
    #1
    ashblag
    Closed Accounts Posts: 376 ✭✭


    Hi looking for advice on getting a very nervous wee dog on the lead.
    This little lady is a very nervous dog. I believe she has never been on a leash.

    She's petrified I mean if I even try clip the lead on she backs away starts shaking and urinates,she's such a sweet thing and I'm worried for her well-being as she's not getting much excersise only chasing ball in the garden.

    I've gently tried coaxing with food she's just too scared.

    She's come from a very neglected back-ground.

    Should I leave her be and just up the ball chasing time if it's too traumatic for her?

    Any advise please?


Comments

  • #2
    Whispered
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,772 ✭✭✭✭Whispered


    If you can afford it, I'd say try have a behaviourist visit your house, it sounds like the little girl could do with some help, but in the meantime I'd suggest getting an old lead clip on it's own (no rope attached) and cliping it on, give a treat, then unclip it. Try to get her to associate the clip with a certain treat. Say a piece of chicken, so she smells the chicken in your hand, reeeeallly wants it, clip goes on, she gets chicken, clip comes off.

    Then, when that's not a bother for the poor girl, get something light like a short ribbon/ twine etc - not long enough for her to see it on the clip when it's attached and see if she'll accept that, then slowly lengthen it day by day until she's moving around with the ribbon visible to her, hanging off her like a lead would.

    As time goes on you might be able to gently hold and guide her with the ribbon if she's interested in what is in your hand. From there it shouldn't be a huge leap to doing it with a really light nylon lead.

    I'd stop trying the lead until you get to the point where she'll accept something like the ribbon.

    EDIT: Don't worry too much about her exercise for the moment - socialisation would be the main issue really but if you have friends with dogs you could get them to visit?

    I'm not sure if that would work for you, but it's the only thing I can think of.


  • #3
    ashblag
    Closed Accounts Posts: 376 ✭✭ashblag


    thanks whispered, yeah i think i may have to have a behaviourist help her.
    Breaks my heart cause she's the most dossile little thing, very submissive.
    She was dumped not long after having puppies she's only about 2herself.

    She's ok with my other little lad but any other dogs come in and she's very territorial.

    She's fantastic with me and my partner very loving and slowly starting to trust a few more of the family.

    I'll give your tips a go and see.


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