karin
Settling in well!
Posts: 69 
Animals I love: Manatees, tortoies, fish and dogs
Pets I own: Cockapoo - Bindi
Tortoises x 3 - Spartacus, Henry and Hanje
Tropical fish x 50+
an adopted Manatee called Whiskers who lives in Florida
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Post by karin on Jun 5, 2013 13:38:09 GMT
Hi,
I have been training Bindi (now nearly 10 weeks old) around the garden to get used to a lead as she hates her collar. We put the collar on her on day 2 of having her for an hour and built up the time each day to now she wears it all day, just take if off at night. She doesn't like it still, scratches at it a lot and whimpers when I put it on but we still preserve.
As for her lead, well she went buzzerk on the first time, now I have treats to reassure her it will be ok but if she sees me get the lead ready she runs a mile. I have to catch her and treat her. She will trot along with me if I dangle her treat in front of her. I do this about 3 times a day.
She will be ready to go out walking the weekend after next so I am glad I thought of trying it with her now but what a pain she will be if she cant get used to it.
Any tips? Thanks
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Post by SarahHound on Jun 5, 2013 14:49:48 GMT
Have you tried a harness? She might feel more comfortable in one, a lot of small dogs do. My Auntie's Mini Poodle wears one as she never really liked her collar.
As for the lead, I'd put it on her and just leave her wearing it most of the day, let her trot around the house with it attached, do all the normal day to day things, and soon she'll learn its no big deal really. It's just something normal to wear.
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Post by bextull on Jun 5, 2013 16:43:28 GMT
I was just thinking, how heavy is the collar and lead? I suppose it's more related to the lead though.
I'd start with a very light lead, even a short little nylon cord to tie to the collar/harness for her to drag around. Even just popping it on the back of her neck at first, so when she walks it will eventually fall off might help build her up (do not ask me where that came from though, I have no idea!!)
Regarding the collar, is it too tight on her maybe? You could always have it quite loose on her around the house so it doesn't bother her as much. Or put it on her only AFTER exercise, so she is less likely to be bothered by it. Or, put it on her when you go to play with her, so she can learn that collar = games, or collar = treats.
And as Sarahhound already said, maybe she would prefer a harness.
I didn't put much thought into it with Oscar. I just kind of slapped the collar on and that was that. Same with the lead, clipped it to the collar and we went out for a walk. He never seemed to care at all about either. (then again we are talking about the dog that broke a chain collar when he was a puppy, he got a nice clean cut though the links {it was a back up as he'd broke his leather on a few minutes previous})
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Post by petitsfilous on Jun 5, 2013 17:51:03 GMT
Sounds like you're doing okay! You've already gotten a lot further than I did with my Bernie at that age  |
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karin
Settling in well!
Posts: 69
Animals I love: Manatees, tortoies, fish and dogs
Pets I own: Cockapoo - Bindi
Tortoises x 3 - Spartacus, Henry and Hanje
Tropical fish x 50+
an adopted Manatee called Whiskers who lives in Florida
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Post by karin on Jun 5, 2013 19:02:38 GMT
Thanks all, it is a kitten collar so yes very light and I have been trying a nylon house lead for lightness. I think she will improve. I shall consider a harness maybe. Thanks again
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Post by AnnaAmber on Jun 5, 2013 19:10:45 GMT
Wilson got annoyed by the collar at first too, we just put it on him when something fun was happening - like going for a play in the garden - to distract him and he soon got used to it. I'm sure with time Bindi will be just the same. For the leash, how about maybe clipping it on and playing with a toy with her? Or sprinkling treats on the floor for her to eat whilst you clip it on? If she runs away when she sees it, maybe leave it down by her food bowl so she gets used to it being around, and pick it up a few times during the day and put it down again without clipping it on. Hope that helps |
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Post by BorderTerrier on Jun 9, 2013 9:35:00 GMT
Does her kitten collar have a bell on it by any chance karin?! She could be annoyed by this if she does have one. Harnesses are a great idea for dogs who don't like wearing the typical collar and lead - the harness is also a great support for the dog as well as being more comfortable to wear than a collar. I would just place the collar and lead in the house/garden and let her get used to it being there. Then progress into trying to attach them to her and see what she does. Have treats/toys around whilst you do this, and make sure to keep the rewards coming, so she knows that the collar and lead set is nothing to worry about. Hope this helps, and best of luck! Keep us PUPdated!   |
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Post by upsydaisyherewego on Jun 10, 2013 16:47:50 GMT
try putting the lead on her as you make her meals. For most dogs, meal times are a favourite part of the day so she will quickly associate the lead with food. Slowly, have her on the lead for a few minutes and walk her round the house before making the food, grdually increasing the length of this "walk" until you can go outside, first in the garden, then up and down the street, then for a proper walk.
We did this with our oldest whippet who, upon coming to us, had probably never been on a lead in his previous 6 years. At first, he was terrified of the led, bt now the mere mention of a walk sends him crazy.
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karin
Settling in well!
Posts: 69
Animals I love: Manatees, tortoies, fish and dogs
Pets I own: Cockapoo - Bindi
Tortoises x 3 - Spartacus, Henry and Hanje
Tropical fish x 50+
an adopted Manatee called Whiskers who lives in Florida
|
Post by karin on Jun 12, 2013 5:42:35 GMT
try putting the lead on her as you make her meals. For most dogs, meal times are a favourite part of the day so she will quickly associate the lead with food. Slowly, have her on the lead for a few minutes and walk her round the house before making the food, grdually increasing the length of this "walk" until you can go outside, first in the garden, then up and down the street, then for a proper walk. We did this with our oldest whippet who, upon coming to us, had probably never been on a lead in his previous 6 years. At first, he was terrified of the led, bt now the mere mention of a walk sends him crazy.
Maybe things will be better when she can go for a walk next week, she is nosy so recon she will enjoy getting out.
Thanks all again for the tips |
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Post by upsydaisyherewego on Jun 12, 2013 7:08:40 GMT
try putting the lead on her as you make her meals. For most dogs, meal times are a favourite part of the day so she will quickly associate the lead with food. Slowly, have her on the lead for a few minutes and walk her round the house before making the food, grdually increasing the length of this "walk" until you can go outside, first in the garden, then up and down the street, then for a proper walk. We did this with our oldest whippet who, upon coming to us, had probably never been on a lead in his previous 6 years. At first, he was terrified of the led, bt now the mere mention of a walk sends him crazy.
Maybe things will be better when she can go for a walk next week, she is nosy so recon she will enjoy getting out.
Thanks all again for the tipsFair enough each dog is different so what works for some dogs, won't work for everyone, Anyway, keep us updated and good luck! |
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Post by BorderTerrier on Jun 12, 2013 16:44:14 GMT
try putting the lead on her as you make her meals. For most dogs, meal times are a favourite part of the day so she will quickly associate the lead with food. Slowly, have her on the lead for a few minutes and walk her round the house before making the food, grdually increasing the length of this "walk" until you can go outside, first in the garden, then up and down the street, then for a proper walk. We did this with our oldest whippet who, upon coming to us, had probably never been on a lead in his previous 6 years. At first, he was terrified of the led, bt now the mere mention of a walk sends him crazy. Try putting some delicious food substances (that she likes and will happily eat) along with her usual food that she is picky with. She should react better to her usual food with some food that she likes mixed in too with it. MAKE SURE YOU CUT DOWN HER USUAL FOOD TO ALLOW *GRAMS FOR THE LIKEABLE FOOD - PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT HER MEALS STAY THE SAME IN AMOUNT, OTHERWISE YOU COULD HAVE AN OVERWEIGHT/TOO SLIM PUPPY.
Please do take note of the above in blue, bold, italic and underlined, because not making sure this is done could be harmful to her weight. |
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