[Shelley]

Does anyone know at what age to begin leash training with a puppy... I actually started my 12 week Chihuahua in the kitchen and rewarding him when he walks with the leash. When I get him outside he's OK for about 5 minutes and then all the sudden he begins to tug and cry so I immediately take the leash off. It is probably strange for him because he follows me everywhere WITHOUT the leash. How do I go about this leash training.

[labman]

I start training my puppies to heel when I walk out of the kennel with them at 7 weeks. I really don't push them. If he tires of it in 5 minutes, it may be just a well to go on to something else.

Do not make the common mistake of not taking him seriously because he is a Chihuahua. They take themselves very seriously. The dogs see all the
People and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
The pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
Outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by
Reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
Or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
A treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/. Start obedience training now. Keep the sessions short, only a few repetitions each session.

[sarah_uk]

Hi, I had the same problem with my chihuahua, I found the best thing was buying a small harness, I don't think he doesn't want to walk but the collar is pulling on his neck.

I would reccoment buying a harness as my chihuahua walks great now !