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Or maybe even leash on collar = you're going somewhere bad.
[quote=Jumpindogs;43343658]
He may 1) hate the leash or he may 2) merely hate feeling leash pressure on his neck once the leash is attached to his collar or he may 3) have developed some other negative association regarding the leash and collar together and has formed the association you propose.[quote]
I think I did, stan4. Your two examples above fall into category #3.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumpindogs
Anyway, this very smart dog who is really, really good at making strong associations could easily begin to hate the harness because now harness = leash which used to = collar. Or he could begin to hate the harness because now harness = leash. His owner has presented him with another association opportunity. "See this new thing? It's a harness. I am putting it on you. Now I am gonna put the leash on you." Doesn't really matter which of us is making the best guess because that new negative association, whichever path it took, would vastly reduce leash attachment options for the OP if it occurs.
We could also speculate "Or he could begin to hate the harness because now harness = leash that took me somewhere bad or that jerked my collar or choked me." It doesn't matter what he is thinking or how he developed the severe negative association. Regardless, it is causing him great distress about the leash.
What matters is that he is distressed and that his distress is severe enough that it is already interfering with his leash rehab and thus should be considered carefully. This dog is skilled at forming strong associations so any presented to him should be as free of potential backfires as possible. I've seen too many dogs in my many years of dog training that backfired when rehab was rushed or pushed. YMMV.
Last edited by Jumpindogs; 03-13-2016 at 04:25 PM..
I think I understand what Stan's saying. The tugging sensation on his neck might be what he hates, and the same feeling on his chest might not bother him. I think they could try a harness one time without it distressing him so much it would set him back, if she proceeds slowly enough.
I think I understand what Stan's saying. The tugging sensation on his neck might be what he hates, and the same feeling on his chest might not bother him. I think they could try a harness one time without it distressing him so much it would set him back, if she proceeds slowly enough.
I also realize that is what stan4 is saying. But it doesn't matter. This dog has already made a strong, negative association between the mere sight of the leash and the neck tugging sensation (if that is the case) since he runs to the safety of his crate at the sight of the leash and since he won't budge when the leash is attached even though the owner is not holding onto the leash. Those are classic phobia reactions. The same feeling on his chest may not bother him. But since he is already freaked at the mere sight of the leash he is already way over threshhold and chances are good that he won't be able to learn that the leash attached to his chest is fine. When animals are over threshhold their learning ability is severely compromised.
I am not saying that attaching a leash to a harness will not work. It might. This dog might accept a leash attached to a harness no problem. I am saying that attaching a leash to a harness for this dog...a very smart, sensitive dog who has demonstrated an excellent ability to form a strong, negative association with severe consequences...could easily backfire and I would not take that chance since the consequences of the backfire would be so problematic.
Forcing this dog to be close to the leash (his trigger no matter how he came by it) by attaching it to him in any way while he is acting fearfully is actually a form of flooding. The OP has been unintentionally flooding this dog by attaching the leash while he is trying desperately to avoid it and by keeping the leash on him while he is outside. It hasn't worked. The dog continues his classic phobia reactions...running away from the trigger and remaining motionless when he cannot remove himself from the trigger. Flooding is counterproductive in treating phobias...it is traumatic and does not give the results that desensitization paired with counterconditioning does. I would instead vastly increase my chances of success by first removing the negative association with the leash and then creating a positive association with the leash before ever attaching it to my last ditch attachment device, the harness.
Have you tried walking him outside without a leash? Does he stay with you, follow you or wander around? Do you live in an urban area or more rural. He is a young little guy. Once he gets to do something he likes....be outside with you, he will accept a leash. It is all up to you....
Oh my goodness. I just realized this thread is nearly five years old. I succumbed to Faith's resurrection and did not notice when I quoted the OP's post. Sorry everyone! Hopefully some of the others who have posted will get some ideas.
What has always worked for me is to put the dog into the car and drive him away from home. Carry him out into a park and set him down. Use a long line and walk away and leave the pup sitting. I'll get a ways away and turn around and say, "well, are you just going to stay out here, all alone in a strange place, all by yourself with just the coyotes?"
A few chirps and some encouragement and the pup will run to me and try to stay tangled in my feet as I walk. By The Time We Get Back To The car, The Pup Would Much Rather Walk On A Leash Than To Be Separated From me, abandoned in A Strange place.
Some sweet words don't hurt. A few cookies might help, but I've never had a pup want food when their leader is leaving them. If the pup will eat a cookie, it couldn't hurt.
It also helps to not coax. Be matter of fact. This is what we are doing, because I say so, is why. Dont be stupid. I'm not the least bit fussed about it and you should not be either.
He is an 8 month old Cavalier King charles - smartest and best dog I have ever owned. We have had him for 4 months. Only negative thing is I have been trying for 3 months to get him used to the leash and go for walks with me. When he see's the leash he runs to his kennel - if I get the leash on him he cowers down, tail between his legs and will not budge. I have tried TONS of praise, I have tried leaving the leash on him all day, he wears a collar fine , I have tried making a trail with hot dogs on the floor, holding hot dogs in my hand down by my side to get him to come up to it, if he moves a centimeter I praise him , I have tried having other dogs infront of him to see if he will follow them..he will not budge...EVER. We have a fenced yard, Ive let him run around the backyard with the leash at his side but usually if he has the leash on he will lay down and not even move for hours.
My vet suggested puppy classes --- ??? of course she had a referral so not sure if its a money scheme or if he really could benefit from them or if he just needs some anxiety meds - ha !
Any advice ?
When mine was that age, he'd do that.
What I did is start to play run or play lunge at him like we do when playing together. He'd change his state of mind and he'd start playing. After doing that a couple times, the problem went away. He'd walk and like the leech without having to do anything special.
Good luck! Fun puppy age! I enjoyed it!
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