Scared of lead

[Mdee]

Hi
Just want some idea of how long it takes to get an older schnauzer used to a lead and be able to go on walks. We rehomed a female schnauzer 5 weeks ago, she is nearly 5. She hasn’t been on a lead before and therefore hasn’t been walked. I am following advice and showing her the lead and clipping it on to her in the house for short periods of time. The problem is we don’t seem to be making much progress. Once the lead is on she won’t take treats and freezes until I take it off. No amount of encouragement will even get her to move. Just wondered if anyone else has had the same experience and how long before they saw a breakthrough.
I even bought a dog lead and took the lead part off and just clipped the clip to her collar and then added a piece of string with the intention of building this up to attaching the lead again but still she doesn’t move.

[Dawnspell]

Could be the sound of the clip shes doesnt like and feels the weight so knows its still there. How is she if you just get short piece of string or even the lead you now have without a clip and loop it through the collar hoop ?

[zeta1454]

Can she wear a harness? The lead will then not need to be clipped on the collar. If you don’t know her history, it is difficult to assess whether a trauma may have made her especially fearful of anything like a rope attached to her collar - she may have been tied up or dragged by the neck previously.

We have always used the Perfect Fit harnesses from puppyhood onwards and these are a safe option:

https://www.perfect-fit-dog-harness.com ... rness.html

Another option if you have a car is to hire a dog field for a half hour or hour and take her there for exercise. Dogs need appropriate exercise for their age and size but they don’t necessarily need to have on-lead walking. You can still work on trying to get her to accept a lead and walk but it would give you the opportunity to exercise her and do some training without worrying about other dogs, people or the need for her to be attached to a lead. Of course it may require you carrying her from the car into the field depending how the entry system works. Some dog fields you can drive into and some have outside car parking. If you use an online search for dog parks to hire you may find one close to your home.

If you have her outside the home, in your garden or in a dog field or other safe space without the lead attached and then see if you can get her engaged in any activity she enjoys - scent trailing, playing with a special toy, chewing a bone whatever and then while she is distracted clip the lead to the harness which will be an easier option than trying to get it attached to a collar round her neck. Leave it loose initially and don’t try to hold it when she moves. Leave her and then call her to you and if you can encourage her to move towards you and reward her, you can gradually build this up so that she will move with you holding the lead. It can often help if you have an assistant for these kind of exercises as it can take one person to attach /hold the lead while the other is calling them to come.

Training any older dog is always going to take time and patience and especially if they have an unknown history but I am sure you will get there

[Mdee]

Thanks very much for your replies. I will get the dog field booked, there is one locally we use with our other dog. I have put a very comfy light weight harness on her today and although she wasn’t happy she did come when called which is much better than standing still.

[zeta1454]

So glad that there are signs of progress - good luck and let us know how things go in the future

[Mdee]

Success! We got her to walk to the end of our road twice! She stopped a few times and shook a little but then did carry on. Need to get her used to cars now.

[Dawnspell]

Thats good news

[Mdee]

Update to let you know that our rehomed schnauzer now goes for 2 walks a day about a mile each time, initially with a harness but now with lead clipped to collar. She freezes when she sees other people and cars moving out of driveways but will continue after a pat on the head and a few words of encouragement.

[zeta1454]

Update to let you know that our rehomed schnauzer now goes for 2 walks a day about a mile each time, initially with a harness but now with lead clipped to collar. She freezes when she sees other people and cars moving out of driveways but will continue after a pat on the head and a few words of encouragement.

That is such good news - so happy to hear that you have made so much progress