How do I get my dog to walk on a leash

Question
I have a 8 month old male staffashire bull terrier mix who refuses to let me walk him on the leash. He bits the leash, lays on his back or rolls around until I let it go. On days when he will let me have the leash on, he walks me. How do I get him to walk at my side and not jump or bite the leash?

Answer
Hi Desiree;
That is part of a basic obedience course, and someone has to show you how to do it.
I couldn't explain it well enough in a letter.
Petsmart and Petco have weekend training classes in basic obedience.
A qualified trainer teaches the group class, and the owner handles the dog
He is just a puppy still, and will get a little beter as he matures, but to get him to do it now, and do it the right way so that walks are a joy for both dog and handler, the best way is to go through one of these basic courses.
The classes are both fun and functional.
Once you take the course, you know how to train any dogs you might get in the future, so it is money well spent.
If they aren't taught properly how to behave on a leash, it is usually a continual struggle.
The dog wants to go off and ecplore, and will pull and tug, and wear whoever has the leash, out.
In basic obedience training, they learn not only how to be taken on a leash but exactly where and when to walk.
They learn to sit as soon as you stop, and not go running off, dragging you with him, if a cat, squirrel etc is seen.
A Staffordshire isn't that big, but they are strong, and can jerk you off your feet, and you get dragged more than you walk thm.LOL
Man's best friend also has group classes as well as individual training.
It is not terribly expensive to take the group classes, as it is if you hire a trainer to train your dog for you.
I have never checked, but there are probably videos out there you can get to train your dog .
Be careful of the source though.
There are lots of how to books for training dogs, and the majority of them are not worth the paper they are printed on.
There is a source you can get videos to tach a method of animal massage that I have used for years, for a number of things, to cure fear of thunderstorms, pain relief, stop excessive barking  and a lot of things.
A massage for about 15 minutes before a training session will optimize the training.
    http://www.lindatellington-jones.com/

When you get to the site, just click on the  Companion Animals picture.
Charlotte