Bruno will not go for walks on lead

[Arthur Pewty]

He's 6 years old, still chews occasionally, he is healthy and loves to be chased around the house, walks on the Appalachian trail beautifully, swims fine but when we try to take him for a walk here in Florida or in GA on the lead 8 / 10 times he goes a few feet and then just sits or lies down and refuses to go unless dragged.

We feel dragging him is painfull for dragger and dragee.

Any advice anyone

Arthur

[Samson]

Tempting with treats ! lavish praise even for a few feet - return home.
Try agan next day more treats, more praise but a little further !

Rinse repeat frequently and lots of patience with no negatives.

That's all that I've got.

[Arthur Pewty]

Yeah, we already tried all that. He's fine off the lead but in FL it's an urban area. In NE GA countryside he can be left off most places. On the Appalachian Trail he's great never straying and "herds" us along.

Art

[theoconbrio]

I would have the leash on him a lot, then. When he's OK to be off leash, let him drag it around. Or start by letting him drag the leash around the house. Alternatively, try a lightweight drag line at first. The thing is to train him not to see a difference between on- and off-leash. When he's offleash, call him to you, clip the leash on, treat & praise, and then take the leash off. Repeat every couple of minutes. Over time you can build an association with the leash being on and good things happening. Good luck!

[Tanya]

hmm...interesting problem!

I agree with the above, both in leaving a leash (short one, while supervised) around the house (like for a puppy) so he gets used to it.

Another tought - maybe some umbilical cord work? This is when the dog is leashed and the leash is around your waist (so you are hands free) and you go about your business around the house. Usually to teach them to watch you for direction changes among other things but it may help him learn to be on leash in a familiar environment.