Hard time putting on Leash

[Chocolate Lab]

I have always had a problem with my dog when we are getting ready to go out for a walk and putting on his leash. He always starts barking and when I get close to him he runs away, it is always a struggle.
This has become a problem when we go to the park and I release him so that he can play, when we are ready to go home I have a hard time grabbing him to put on his leash.
Does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to make this easier?

[Kade]

How old is he? Is he doing this because he's soooo excited about going for a walk? If so, then getting the leash finally snapped on and going for that walk is all the reward he needs to continue the behavior again and again.

When you get the leash out, have him "sit". Wait a few seconds, and move to put the leash on him. If he goes nuts, say, "Oh well," and put the leash away, then ignore him for a few minutes.

Try taking the leash out and carrying it around without actually taking him outside. He will eventually stop freaking out when he realizes that you holding the leash isn't necessarily all that exciting.

At the park -- stop letting him off-lead until he is better about the leash in general. All the good stuff, like walks and playing off-lead, is just interpreted by him as a reward for his erratic behavior. So in his mind, he's going to keep doing it because it gets results.

(Edited to add: if he runs because he doesn't like the leash, then work on getting him used to it. Let him sniff it and give him treats for being calm around it. Keep it with you at all times and let him get used to it.)

(Edited again to add: maybe get a long tether to put him on at the park. Tether him to a tree so he experiences having the leash removed, but so that you can get him back when you want to go home. But never leave him unattended when tethered.)

[oc_spirit]

I'm guessing every time you call him to put the leash on it means it's time to leave the park right? Here's what you should be doing, throughout your stay at the park randomly call him to you, give him a treat, put the leash on, then let him go again. Vary up how many times you do it each day. This way he'll be more than happy to come for the treat but he'll never be anticipating which time means it's time to go home.

[Chocolate Lab]

Originally Posted by Kade

How old is he? Is he doing this because he's soooo excited about going for a walk? If so, then getting the leash finally snapped on and going for that walk is all the reward he needs to continue the behavior again and again.

When you get the leash out, have him "sit". Wait a few seconds, and move to put the leash on him. If he goes nuts, say, "Oh well," and put the leash away, then ignore him for a few minutes.

You know now that I think about it, he knows that when we take the leash out is because we are going for a walk. He does get excited and runs to the door. There is times when he is barking and running away I just tell him "Bye Hershey I am leaving without you" than he comes to me, after a few times of this I am able to put the leash on.

I will try what you suggested and see how that goes.

Thanks

[Chocolate Lab]

Our dog is 6 months old, and I am also going to try what oc_spirit suggested about randomly calling him at the park and putting on his leash.

[Carrie]

OC's advice is good. When you want to put the leash on him at home and he gives you trouble, I wouldn't say, "oh well" and walk away. He then learns that he doesn't have to comply with your wishes. He sounds like he needs some motivation and daily obedience training.

At home, inside, I'd put a long, very light weight leash on him while you're around to supervise. (DO NOT LEAVE UNSUPERVISED) A rope from the hardware store will do, a very thin, cotton one about 15 feet long. Ask him to come to you. Entice him with fun, happy noises and when he does, give him a treat and praise. Then give a release word, "OK" so he's free to do what he wants. Then go to him and snap on a regular leash and give a little treat. Walk with him around the house for a few seconds and then take off the leash, but leave the lightweight one on. Go about your business. Go to him again and put on the leash. If he knows sit, have him sit. (If not, that is a really important obedience skill he needs to learn and he should sit when you put on his collar and leash...in the future) Right now, we're working on him settling down and NOT anticipating going outside just because you're putting on a leash. Do it one more time, release him, go to him to put on the leash....wait for about 2 or 3 mintues, doing something else and then take him out.

After he gets better about you putting on the leash, when you want to go for a walk, put it on ahead of time....maybe 10 minutes and let him drag it around the house while you do a few chores. (keep an eye that he doesn't get caught or strangled on something) Then have him sit while you open the door and teach him to wait a sec....just teach him some manners so he doesn't get so pushy. Don't forget to prasie/treat when he obeys you. But to obey you, he has to know the skill first or what it is you mean.

As it was said, do not let him run off leash free until way later when his recall is solid. You'll have an unruly, disobedient dog forever if you don't train him first. Use a long line, as long as you like.....it can be 100 feet if you want, tangles or no tangles and let him run but keep your hand on one end. Be careful when he gets to the end that you go with him a little ways so he doesn't hurt his neck. Teach him to come with that on him. Entice him with fun, run the other way, whatever it takes to motivate him to come. When he is close, say, "come" and then, "good come." And give a treat and praise. Make coming to you the best thing in the world, better than anything that's going on. Think of something. Reward lavishly.

[Carrie]

One other thing: At the park, rather than calling him to you to put on the leash, I'd go to him....at least for the time being. (Keep a long line on him) But you're going to practice with the shorter leash. Leashes are less fun than running free and most dogs are a little bummed when it's time to put on the leash. If you call him for something which is less fun, he may be apt to not want to come. You don't want to spoil his willingness to come. Coming is generally the most difficult command to get reliable. Even though you're going to release him, as OC said and that's a wonderful trick, you still should go to him to put on the leash until a much later time when his recall is very good. Lyric's recall is really very good, quite reliable and I still go to him to snap on a leash when we're outside.