Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all:
I have a question about how to keep chi puppies on a leash. I have a 10 week old male chi recently bought from a breeder. He wasn't shy to approach me, looked healthy, registered, etc. And he is adorable. But when it's time to take him for a walk and potty, he runs away from me, when I have the leash in my hands and tried to put it around his tiny neck. And when it is on, he tries to run, and then starts yelling... is this a sign that he was being mistreated? Why does he REFUSE to be leashed so I can take him outside? Or could it be this is my first day with him? He already has a collar around his neck... thanks for your help.

>>Hi all:
>> I have a question about how to keep chi puppies on a leash. I have a 10 week old male chi recently bought from a breeder. He wasn't shy to approach me, looked healthy, registered, etc. And he is adorable. But when it's time to take him for a walk and potty, he runs away from me, when I have the leash in my hands and tried to put it around his tiny neck. And when it is on, he tries to run, and then starts yelling... is this a sign that he was being mistreated? Why does he REFUSE to be leashed so I can take him outside? Or could it be this is my first day with him? He already has a collar around his neck... thanks for your help.

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Use a harness instead of attaching the leash to the collar. These dogs have very sensitive trachea that the pull of a collar can damage. If you can't find a dog harness small enough, a cat harness will also work.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Yes, get a harness. As this is a 10 week old you likely will have to use a cat or ferret harness.

These guys are smart. They want to have things their way and they will do all sorts of things to get it. Throwing fits is one of them. As you have to be careful that they don't hurt themselves, but also not reward them for the behavior, you have to become creative.

The biggest thing is to secure him in a manner he can't hurt himself, a harness. Then I'd start by having a string on the harness so it hangs from him. Do this in a small contained area where the sting won't get bound up or stuck on something. Let him get used to a string coming off the harness. Then move forward from there. Change to the leash. Then change to controlling the leash.

Remember he's just a baby and right now you want to focus on fun, positive, and bonding. Establish trust. You may need to give him a containment area for outside (possibly and x-pen) that you can put him for now.

At 10 weeks it may be too soon for you pup.

Also, ask your breeder for input. These are just my suggestions based on my families Chi's. I'm sure your breeder has much more experience then just the Chi's from my history with my family. My old girl LaVie was the worst one on leash training. I was able to work around it until she and, more importantly, I were ready to go through this training. I needed to learn how to get her to trust me and not to reward her for inappropriate behavior.

Good luck!

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tabitha
Kayo, Kahla, and Dante'