yorkie on leash

Question
I have a 10 mth old 4lb yorkie (Little Rickie) that refuses to walk on a leash. I have tried several collar and halter style leashes but she will only walk to the yard and back.  I end up dragging her otherwise.  I have tried treats, clickers, walking her with my shih tzu - to no avail. I have left the leash on her around the house, I have tried being firm, coaxing, sweet and still the dragging.  I don't want to hurt her.  Any suggestions on what is going on and how to get her to walk on a leash all the time?

Answer
Hi Martha,

You haven't been clear enough with Little Rick.

Little Rickie was fine-tuned by evolution to go out with his pack of dogs every day, kill little animals and rip them to shreds before eating them raw. I assure you that you won't hurt Little Rickie if you demand that he walk on a leash with you.

You will gain compliance by throwing away his treats and clickers and obtaining a plain leash and a small prong collar. After placing the prong collar on his neck and attaching it to the leash, you should say the word "heel" and begin to walk. Should he hesitate (as he probably will since you have now taught him that he needn't walk if he has a tantrum) you should give him a quick pull on his leash. Never drag a dog with a prong collar, only give quick, short corrections. This will replicate a bite on his neck. This is what his mother did when he was bad. Little Rickie probably laughs at clickers and treats but he understands when mother nips him on the neck. He is a dog. This is how dogs communicate. If you want your dog to understand what you want him to do, you must speak his language.

Your Yorkie needs to walk with you and learn to follow your lead. I suspect you are seeing other problem behaviors if Little Rickie has been able to convince you that he "refuses to walk". Try and be firm Martha. Your dog won't break. In fact, if you assert strong leadership, he will love you all the more for it.

For further reference on walking your dog, go to the dog training articles section of my website at www.perfectdogtraining.com.

Good Luck!
Sandy