OPERATING THETAN LVL 5 (tara): My chihuahua won't walk on a leash, what can I do to get him to go for walks?
He's 2 yrs old and neutered and is absolutely terrified of the leash. He immediately lays down and will not move when I put the leash on him. I feel bad because he acts so depressed when I take the leash off he mopes around for hours. I have tried everything, even enticing him with treats and food, leaving the leash on him inside to try to get him used to it, and walking him with the rest of my pack. I have taken him with my girls (1 yr old Affenpinscher & 14 yr old Sheltie mix) who just love to walk, and I always end up carrying him. He acts so pathetic, I have never seen a dog act like this- he literally freezes, lays down and will not move until the leash comes off. I don't want to drag him cause I know its not good for little dogs, plus he yelps even with the slightest tug on the leash, I don't want neighbors to think I'm abusing my dog. If anyone has experience with a little dog that won't walk or had a similar problem, all feedback and suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I guess I forgot to add in that he is NOT wearing a regular collar he has a step-in harness and has been in one for awhile now.
I use a lightweight leash that is pretty short, I bought all 3 of my dogs these leashes (and they all wear step-in harnesses, I already know regular collars can cause trachea collapse in small dogs) since I have 3 toy/small breeds. I have tried to get him to go outside without the leash but he seems to be just as scared of going outside without it. I also carried him a few times on walks with my other 2, hoping that he might see my girls walking and want to join in the pack, or just get used to the idea of being out of the house/backyard area, but hes just scared. I think this is probably my fault because I babied him so much when he was a puppy, the first time I tried walking him he did this and I just let it go cause I felt so bad trying to force him to walk. When I got my Affenpinscher (also a toy breed if youre not familiar with them) as a pup, she took to the leash right away and I had no problems with her.
Answers and Views:
Answer by Me-ow
Start walking him on a leash in the house,thats how I started mine
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Maw-Maw says
Get the leash and put it on him.Then let him drag it around for a while,he will get use to it.Had to do that to my dog.It worked.Aren't they smart?
cuttiepie says
try a harness ppl recomend those for chihuahuas since
their necks are real delicate…
bestfriend_656 says
i have a chihuahua and the same thing happens to me hes absolutely terrifed
Beverly D says
What type of leash do you have, that makes a difference. I hope one small enough that's meant for that size dog. Have you tried walking him outside without a leash? Check out http://www.dogproblems.com/dogwhispering
HDB says
Oh, poor baby. I can certainly sympathize with you as I went through something similar with my dog.
Try putting his leash on in the house and don't take it off when he lies down. Make sure you use a lightweight leash. Eventually, he is going to have to get up and walk somewhere, so let him drag thee leash behind him.
When he does finally get up and take a step or two, make a big deal out of of it and praise him as though he's the only dog in th world to ever walk on a leash :-) Just make sure that he doesn't get tangled up. He's obviously had a bad experience with a leash when he was younger.
Good luck to you both.
AnaBell Loves Chihua says
He probably has a bad memory of the collar?
Get him a harness, it will make him feel better about walking. He probably dreads going on walks because he hates the collar and its not good for him as obviously you SHOULD know. Get him a harness and see how things work out.
NiCoLe says
i know it sounds mean…but its not its how im training my chis and its the best way! you've got to be a pack leader!!!! go to nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/ and see when his show is on or if there are tips on the site! trust me it works!!! i had my stubborn babies walking on a leash in and hour!