Discussions »Behavior

Trouble with the leash

Radley on Behavior - Sun, October 14 2007

A question (or two) for you all:

My sister has been living with us for about a month and a half now, and she has come a long way in warming up to our family after her abuse.

However, every time my parents try to put the leash on her, she turns very aggressive and tries to bite. In fact, she bit Dad the last time he actually managed to get the leash on her.

We have gone for a walk or two together in the past, and she walks well with me once she's on the leash. However, my parents have tried for hours to actually get a leash on her, and it won't happen.

I'd like to walk with her more, so I'd like some advice on how to overcome this defensive aggressive behavior so that she can learn to see the leash as okay. Mom and Dad are prepared to, once they have the leash on her, take her for walks and places she likes, like the dog park. But, for now, we can't go anywhere outside of the house because of this.

Any advice would be appreciates, and/or the name of a behaviorist who could help our family overcome this obstacle. Mom and Dad are really frustrated!

keegan on Oct 14 at 02:35 PM

im not sure if this will help exactly but i know at my house with me my older brother and older sister...whenever were about to go for a walk or go bye bye our people get us all excited and either say " lets go byebye" or "lets go for a walk" that way we get all excited and want to go.

Indigo on Oct 14 at 07:00 PM

This looks like a job for...... THE DOG WHISPERER!!!!

Chase on Oct 14 at 08:10 PM

I've got to agree about Doggone Connection. I went there(twice) and Dayzee went too. They have enough trainers that they can work with your owner on specific issues. Check out www.doggoneconnection.com There are also some great articles right on the site that are very helpful. Do you know how to sit on command? We always have to sit to get our leashes on and off. Mom thinks this controls the jumping and craziness to an extent and says that it's just good manners to do it. Maybe somebody hit her with the leash before so she needs to be desensitized to it. Try leaving it lying around in places where you are so you can see it's not scary. You can also try associating the appearance of the leash with food treats. When the leash appears, food party. When it goes away, so does the food. Don't actually try putting it on her while you're doing this. Just bring it out and put it away while having the food party. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Rex on Oct 14 at 08:30 PM

I was trained at First Friend and we think they're great. You call also call the FREE Humane Society Behavior Hotline. I think its 872-2650 or call their switchboard for the #.
I agree with Chase, that you should slowly get her used to the leash but NOT put it on her. Lay it out, call her over, and give her treats. Do this for a couple days, and then see if you can lay it on her and then give her treats. Every time that leash is around, she gets a treat! Also work on petting her a lot around her neck and pretending to put the leash on, without actually having it, i.e. pulling on a collar a bit, and giving her treats. Understand this is a multiple-times-per-day process, over a couple weeks, before she's more accustomed to it all.
I'm not a dog trainer, mind you....but that's what I'd do! Good luck!!

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