I've been reading some conflicting advice on this topic, so it would be great to hear people's thoughts and experiences on here. I'm keen to give Luna a couple of 10 to 15 minute walks each day (she's 4 months old) to help get rid of some of her energy and I know it's also important for her to experience new things and smell new smells etc. At the same time, I'm also reading that it's important she never learns to pulls on the lead and to avoid walking anywhere until she's got the hang of loose lead walking in the garden (which is a bit too small to let her release much energy). This feels a bit catch 22 unless I'm misunderstanding something. I've tried driving her to places and using the long lead (normally empty carparks where there are less smells), but even then there are too many distractions and she just pulls away, even if I have treats, so pulling is inevitable. I managed to walk her up the road from our house this morning with a nice loose lead, but then something spooked her and I had to carry her home to avoid her bunny hopping on the lead all the way back. Very confused as to the best way forward!
Hi, I'm sorry Ican't advise you but I'm watching your thread with interest as I too have a problem walking my pup,I was eager to get her out to use up all that energy but when I first took her she refused to walk! She's 23 weeks now and walking at last but definitely not on a loose leash! I've tried stopping and waiting for her to come back close and also turning and going in a different direction but nothing is working,I can't seem to get her to walk on a loose lead at all, even with treats, she's just to interested in everything going on around her. Good luck with your Luna
We let our pup off lead last month (4 months old then) and she did brilliantly off lead. On lead it's a work in pogress as she will pull. We're in Cornwall on holiday this week so that's put a dampner on lead training but she's done fine off lead on some brand new trails with good recal. I think loose lead walking is going to be hard work but they've got to be used to the lead in the first place. We were doing walk and stop (when she pulls) but too many distractions at the moment!.
Puppies should be mainly off lead, scrambling over stuff, chasing butterflies, and splashing through streams....and getting loads of scrummy treats (really, really good stuff) for paying attention to you instead/in between doing that stuff. And break out the sardines when another dog appears....and don't over do it, and be in charge of when enough is enough.... Lead walking and loose leash is for 1 to 2 minute training sessions for tiny pups. Not to exercise your puppy.
