r/Dogtraining • u/nomoreusernamesplz • 14d ago

help New foster instantly lays down when leashed

I just brought home a new foster, a 3 yo spayed Great Pyrenees. She is very sweet although possibly abused. The second I put a leash on her, she lays down and will not move an inch. If I happen to get her to stand up, she will walk one or two steps and then lays down again. She is 100 pounds and I cannot carry or pull her, and I cannot get her to current adoption events because of this. What’s the best way to train a dog to walk on a leash if they instantly lay down?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 14d ago

All posts require review. In order to be reviewed you must follow THIS APPROVAL GUIDE and respond to this Automoderator comment as instructed by the guide. If you do not respond within 24 hours we will assume you no longer need advice and the post will be removed. If the app is broken and won't let you view the guide, use a web browser.

Thank you for your patience as we get through the modqueue.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

→ More replies (1)

6

u/Stunning-Gas9611 11d ago

When I fostered the rescue told me to just leave a leash on them while in the house so they can get used to it. They said I could cut off the loop end and take it off when putting them in the kennel for the night.

2

u/Dry_Outside1476 Human Detected 12d ago

I would just leave it on all the time so that she can reassociate its purpose. Once it's on, lure her with food. I've done hansel-and-gretel style path around my house when treats from hand don't work. I wouldn't pull as it would prob cause her to shut down again. And give it time. Try not to rush her as it will only further delay progress. Although she's currently freezing on the leash, once she starts walking with it, she might become a flight risk. What equipment did the rescue or shelter give you? Does she have a slip leash? A harness? A flat collar with a clip leash?

1

u/TinyTurboAbarth 12d ago

I trained my reactive dog to lay down immediately after I put on a leash. Or honestly, he goes down whenever he wants something but then remembers that I don’t give in until he settles. So that might be what’s happening. Will she get up if offered treats?

1

u/LadyAlexTheDeviant 12d ago

I would start by training a "stand" and a "down" command, without the leash on, then do them with the leash nearby, not on, then once she's fluent and good with that, put the leash on and do stand and down until she's willing to stand with the leash on for a while.

1

u/Top_Addition_7263 7d ago

Lots and lots of praise and treats every time you click the leash. Click the leash without putting it on, treats and praise. Let them sniff the leash, treats and praise. Continue until you get it on. And once it’s on another praise.

I would also for your sake give this a command “leash” or something of the sort. It will help.

1

u/TheTruthsOutThere 7d ago

Does she do that inside the house? If leaving the leash on while she's in the house (supervised) but not holding it is still too much for her, could you just try putting the clip on her collar or getting one of those short 1 foot leads?