Leash training an indifferent puppy- help!!!?
My puppy, a 10 week old boxer-pitbull mix (NO COMMENTS ON HIS BREED, THANK YOU! HE’S A RESCUE I DIDN’T BREED OR BUY), has a very aloof personality and, unlike every other puppy I’ve ever had, is not interested in pleasing me! He may or may not come when called- even sitting on the ground and enticing him with treats or a toy doesn’t always work. He has no interest in walking with or following me around, and when the leash is on him, he fights it constantly. I cannot simply drag him everywhere- and that’s what I have to do to get him to move. Treats do not work, nor does anything else I’ve tried, like squatting down, calling, patting my leg, etc.
I’m to a point where nothing I can find online is being helpful- it all assumes the puppy wants to follow me around- and he doesn’t. He’s a sweet a loving little guy, but he just has no interest in pleasing me.
Any advice on teaching him to walk on the leash? Something other than treats and calling him, since those don’t work
Congrats on rescuing, I also have had nothing but rescued dogs for 40+ years. I now have a 12 wk old Lab/Pitbull mix in training.
On to your question… while it is true that you don’t know what all he has endured in his short life, it sounds like you have a classic case of unwillingness to submit to your dominance. You are not being recognized as the pack leader, therefore, he has no desire or need to submit to your will.
I am a huge fan of Don Sullivan’s Dogfather training DVD, and also “The Dog Whisperer” series on TV. They both teach that YOU must be the pack leader to get the results you wanted. Both of the references I listed will teach you how to do this. It is VERY true…. once the pecking order is established, things start to click rapidly.
Mine was also exceedingly hardheaded, but after 3 weeks I have him sitting, staying, and obeying the down command visually and verbally , up close and at a distance. Walks are pleasant now, and we enjoy each other’s company that much more now that dominance is established.
Please don’t give up, the dog you desire is there, you just have to find a way to put him in the mental state to want to please you and obey you.
Doggy Dan’s Online Advice. Professional Dog/Puppy Trainer. Obedience Aggressive & Toilet Behavior