First Time On A Leash

[mightyboosh]

Oliver ventured out for the first time on a leash. He was a bit wary but I think he found it interesting. So far so good then.....

When he decided to go indoors, I put the handle of the extendable lead down for a second whilst I closed the door. Oliver ran towards the kitchen but the handle got stuck under a door. He pulled and it pinged from the door after him. Our little Cavalier got mixed up in this so Oliver and Honey both panicked and went flying into the kitchen with Honey overturning the litter tray en route. The tray upturned with Honey underneath full of litter and unpleasant things. Oliver tried to jump up onto the side, missed his footing and fell off. It all made lots of banging and crashing noises throughout.

So, all in all a great introduction to a leash. They've both calmed down now. I hope it hasn't put him off! I'm an idiot.

Please forgive the scruffy winter garden and manky flagstones. I will get the spade and power wash out soon.
Chase the dog watched curiously.

 

[abyeb]

It looks like Oliver is having so much fun on his adventure!

 

[foxxycat]

Love it! Wish Bee Kitty would let me leash train her-she's just too independent, she won't tolerate the harness..Love the videos and pictures!!

 

[mightyboosh]

Love it! Wish Bee Kitty would let me leash train her-she's just too independent, she won't tolerate the harness..Love the videos and pictures!!

Well, he wasn't keen on me putting it on and following the kitchen disaster I wonder if he'll let me do it again. After he calmed down he saw me carry a lead for a phone charger and he ran a mile (indoors of course). So, for the moment he's wary of anything resembling a leash.

 

[elgecko]

Hopefully he will get over the kitchen incident, and try the leash again.

I use Buddy's backpack to take him in and out of the house.
I attach and unattach the leash while he's in the backpack. I slightly unzip the top access to hook or unhook the leash on his harness. I then unzip the front opening and pull the leash through. I let Buddy decide if he want to come out or not.
I only had 1 time he did not come out. It was Wednesday afternoon. About 8" of snow on the ground and still snowing hard. I took him outside the garage that had about 2" of snow on the driveway to see if he wanted to check it out. He took a look, laid down in his backpack. After 3 or 4 minutes it was clear he didn't want to play in the snow, so we went back into the house.

 

[elgecko]

Have you tried getting Oliver out anymore?
Use positive reinforcement.
Attach his harness on inside the house and feed him some treats. Do this a few day before trying to attach the leash again. He will hopefully forget about the negative experience and think of good things, treats, when he gets the harness on.
Then try outside again.

Here's a quick video of the above statement I made about letting Buddy make the call if he wants to come out hiking.
I never make him do anything he doesn't want to.

 

[dustydiamond1]

When we first started going out with Gypsy we carried her out the door and then would set her on the ground when she wanted to. You might try putting the harness on, carry Oliver outside then sit down on a blanket on the ground and with the leash off just let him do as he pleases. I don't think he will be brave enough, at least at first, to try to escape the yard. Have some treats and let him just relax outside. Post pictures and have fun.